How the country of 630,000 is on track to become an EU member
A path toward membership
The Commission credited Montenegro’s sustained efforts to move toward EU membership and carry out required reforms. The treaty would need ratification by all 27 current EU member countries before Montenegro could join.
Montenegro’s 2028 goal
Earlier this year, President Jakov Milatovic said Montenegro was on track to meet its ambitious goal of joining the EU by 2028. He expressed optimism from his presidential office in Podgorica.
The Commission’s proposed timetable points to negotiations ending in 2026 and a treaty signing the following year. It does not remove the requirement for each existing member country to ratify the agreement.
Other candidate countries
The EU describes Montenegro as the candidate country closest to membership. Albania, Ukraine and Moldova are also regarded as frontrunners. In its assessment of Albania, the Commission said cross-party cooperation and constructive dialogue with civil society were needed to advance key reforms. It also said Albania must continue adopting reforms to meet closing benchmarks across negotiation chapters.
Key points
- The European Commission says Montenegro’s negotiations could conclude by the end of 2026.
- An accession treaty could be signed by June 2027, but all 27 EU members must ratify it.
- President Jakov Milatovic has said Montenegro aims to join by 2028.
- Albania, Ukraine and Moldova are also considered EU membership frontrunners.