On the Road to the EU Internal Market: The Role of Competition Law in the Montenegrin Post-Transition Economy

Although Montenegro began its European Union (EU) accession negotiations in 2012, the chapter on competition law (chapter 8) was the last to be opened, doing so in mid-2020. Being considered one of the most challenging aspects of the integration process, it is anticipated to be closed among the last. The paper will present the transformative path of the Montenegrin market from a state-controlled model to the current market-oriented model. It will examine the role of competition law during the significant economic and political changes Montenegro has undergone during the transition and post-transition period, as well as the impact of competition regulation in establishing a stronger market. It will serve to analyze and present the impact of EU competition law on Montenegrin legislation and practice so far, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that have arisen in the process of harmonizing national competition law with the EU acquis.