Minister Byrne welcomes Montenegro’s continued progress on EU accession

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, today (27 January) welcomed the continued progression of Montenegro’s EU accession following the conclusion of the 25th Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro in Brussels yesterday. The Intergovernmental Conference saw the closing of negotiations on chapter 32 (financial control).

Commenting after the negotiations, Minister Byrne said: “I welcome the efforts made by Montenegro to further align its national legislation with EU law. As we look ahead to the Irish EU Presidency later this year, Ireland remains ready to support Montenegro’s in its accession process. 2026 will be a crucial year for Montenegro’s path towards EU membership and we want to facilitate Montenegro's goal of closing all negotiating chapters by the end of this year.”

Minister Byrne added: “Chapter 32, on financial control, relates to the adoption of internationally recognised frameworks and standards, as well as EU good practice on public internal financial control, the protection of the EU's financial interests and the protection of the Euro against counterfeiting. These policy areas are of critical importance for both the EU’s and Montenegro’s economy and society. I congratulate Montenegro on closing this additional negotiating chapter.”

ENDS

Press Office

27 January 2026

Negotiating chapters are divided in six thematic clusters: fundamentals; internal market; competitiveness and inclusive growth; green agenda and sustainable connectivity; resources, agriculture and cohesion; and external relations.

Under the EU enlargement methodology, chapter 32 is part of Cluster 1, which covers the fundamentals.

Following the closure of five negotiating chapters in December, the closing of chapter 32 brings the number of chapters that Montenegro has provisionally closed to thirteen out of thirty-three.