The EU Delegation in Podgorica and Montenegro's government rejected media claims that five EU member states had sought to slow the country's accession process, European Western Balkans reported on 21 September. [1]
The disputed report, attributed to an unnamed Brussels source, said the Netherlands had requested a pause and that Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had joined it. The EU Delegation called those claims unfounded while noting that chapter closures still require completed procedures, compliance with EU standards and unanimous member-state consent. [1]
ContextEuropean Affairs Minister Maida Gorčević said there was neither a political nor a technical blockade. She said chapters on statistics and on social policy and employment were ready for closure but still awaited completion of a procedure in the Dutch parliament. The denial does not remove Montenegro's remaining rule-of-law reform requirements. [1]