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Montenegro advances EU accession with provisional closure of Chapter 21 on Trans-European Networks
At the 26th meeting of the Accession Conference, Montenegro provisionally closed Chapter 21 on Trans-European Networks (TEN-T), marking its fourteenth provisionally closed negotiating chapter and the second such closure within two months.
The development is relevant beyond the formal enlargement process. Chapter 21 covers strategic infrastructure domains linked to transport, energy and telecommunications networks, which are central to regional connectivity and closer integration with EU systems. For the Western Balkans, progress in this area may support more effective cross-border cooperation, improved physical and digital linkages, and stronger framework conditions for research and innovation collaboration.
The provisional closure also reinforces Montenegro’s position as the most advanced Western Balkan economy in the accession process. From a policy perspective, continued movement in connectivity-related chapters remains significant for the wider region, particularly where infrastructure alignment intersects with mobility, digital transformation and participation in European networks.