On 9 November 2012, a bilateral analytical overview of the acquis was held for the Negotiation Chapter 5, where the level of compliance of Montenegrin legal system in the public procurement field with the EU acquis was presented.

The members of the Working Group for Chapter 5 presented to their colleagues the Montenegrin legislative framework and the level of its compliance with the EU acquis regarding this negotiation chapter. Themes and areas included in this chapter mainly refer to the general principles of public procurement, public procurements in classical sector, in the areas of social policy, environmental protection, SMEs, innovations, utilities sector, concessions, legal protection, electronic public procurement, as well as the international aspects in this area.

The existing capacities for efficient implementation of regulations in this field were also presented as well as the plans for further harmonization woth the EU acquis and standards.

Representatives of the EC expressed their pleasure with the quality of prepared materials and presentations of the members of the Working group for Chapter 5. They gave the general assessment that the Montenegrin legislation is mainly harmonized with the EU regulations and that in the forthcoming period the focus should be at its implementation and capacity strengthening.

The end of this meeting marked a completion of the phase dedicated to the analytical review of compliance for the Chapter 5 after which the European Commission shall draw up a Report on screening which would serve as a basis for further course of negotiations in the public procurement field.