Brussels, 30/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 30 March, the European Union and Montenegro agreed to open two chapters in the process of negotiating Montenegro's accession to the European Union (Chapter 16 on taxation and Chapter 30 on external relations).
According to a Council press release, Montenegro should make “significant progress towards alignment in the areas of VAT, excise duties and direct taxation”. It should provide the Commission with a detailed timetable to reach full alignment with the Community acquis by the date of its accession to the EU. In the field of external relations, Montenegro should present an action plan for its remaining preparations in terms of legislative alignment. The plan should bring international agreements into conformity with the EU acquis.
Out of the 35 negotiating chapters, 18 are now open and two have provisionally been closed. A ministerial level accession conference is planned for June this year. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)