How the country of 630,000 is on track to become an EU member
A possible timetable for accession
The European Commission said on Wednesday that negotiations with Montenegro could conclude by the end of this year. It also said it considers a close by the end of 2026 realistic, so the report gives two different dates.
The Commission said an accession treaty could be signed by June 2027. All 27 current EU member countries would then need to ratify the treaty for Montenegro to join.
Montenegro’s stated ambition
Earlier this year, President Jakov Milatovic said he was confident Montenegro could meet its goal of joining by 2028. Speaking from his presidential office in Podgorica, he said, “I am optimistic about it.” The Commission credited Montenegro’s sustained efforts to advance toward the EU and carry out the reforms needed for membership. It described the country as the candidate closest to joining.
Other candidate countries assessed
Albania, Ukraine and Moldova are also considered frontrunners among EU candidates. The Commission’s assessment said Albania needs cross-party cooperation and constructive dialogue with civil society to advance key reforms.
The Commission also said Albania needs to continue adopting reforms to meet closing benchmarks across all negotiation chapters. It referred to the country’s largest protests since its democratic transition.
Key points
- Montenegro is described as the EU candidate closest to membership.
- The Commission gives end-2026 as a realistic target for concluding negotiations, while the report also says end of this year.
- An accession treaty could be signed by June 2027 and would require ratification by all 27 EU members.
- Milatovic has said Montenegro aims to join by 2028.