The European Council has endorsed the decision of the General Affairs Council from 26 of June, and under the Danish Presidency at the Intergovernmental conference with Montenegro celebrated in Brussels on 29 June, the process was officially launched. According to the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, this is a big step towards EU membership.

The accession negotiations with Montenegro officially started last 29 of June. In December 2010, Montenegro was confirmed as candidate for EU accession. First, the General Affairs Council adopted its conclusions on Montenegro on 26 of June. The Council endorsed the Commission's assessment that Montenegro has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria, and in particular the political criteria set by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993, to start accession negotiations. Therefore, the Council decided, subject to the endorsement by the European Council, that accession negotiations should be opened on 29 June 2012. Finally, the European Council endorsed the decision taken by the Council to open accession negotiations with Montenegro on 29 June 2012.

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle highlighted that Montenegro already did a lot. But much more still needs to be done. This next phase of the accession process will mean even more work in more areas, with continued focus on fundamental freedoms, judiciary, fight against corruption and organised crime. The Council invited Europol to present a report on the situation with regard to organised crime in Montenegro, and asks the Commission to ensure that this contribution is taken into account in the forthcoming screening reports.

A new approach will be applied to judiciary and fundamental rights and justice, freedom and security chapters, which will be tackled early in the negotiations to allow maximum time to establish the necessary legislation, institutions and solid track records of implementation. In this light, the European Union will take account of the experience acquired from previous accession negotiations, notably in relations to the negotiating both chapters.