Montenegro targets 2028 EU membership amid regional security concerns

EU enlargement Western Balkans Montenegro EU accession Schengen Area regional security

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini have expressed strong support for Montenegro becoming the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Milatović noted that Montenegro has already closed more than half of its negotiation chapters, a sentiment echoed by EU Commissioner Marta Kos, who described 2026 as a record year for EU enlargement progress.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also voiced hope for Montenegro’s 2028 accession and suggested that Western Balkan nations, including Serbia, should be integrated into the Schengen Area much sooner to improve regional security and manage migration. Babiš further indicated support for Albania joining the EU by 2029.

In contrast, Croatian Speaker Gordan Jandroković raised security concerns, warning Western allies that Serbia is acquiring offensive weaponry. He emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities and the European pillar of NATO amidst a changing international order.

Entities

Andrej Babiš · António Costa · Czech Republic · European Union · Gordan Jandroković · Jakov Milatović · Marta Kos · Montenegro · Peter Pellegrini · Petr Macinka · Petr Pavel · Schengen Area

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] Montenegro aims to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. borba.me · radiotitograd.me · cginfo.me · www.lika-express.hr · verige.net · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka aims to shift foreign policy from activism to diplomacy and negotiation. tyden.cz
[● 2 SOURCES] Slovakia supports Montenegro joining the EU as its 28th member by 2028. borba.me · radiotitograd.me
[● 6 SOURCES] The EU should prioritize including Western Balkan countries like Serbia in the Schengen Area. cginfo.me · n1info.rs · verige.net · beta.rs · kuruc.info
[● 3 SOURCES] Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expressed hope that Montenegro will become the 28th EU member in 2028. cginfo.me · www.info.sk · kuruc.info
[○ 1 SOURCE] EU Council President Charles Michel is touring member states to negotiate the 2028-2034 budget. www.upday.com
[● 8 SOURCES] Croatian Speaker Gordan Jandroković warned that Serbia is acquiring offensive weaponry. www.lika-express.hr · www.radio-banovina.hr · novi.ba · www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.telegram.hr · +2 more
[● 5 SOURCES] EU Commissioner Marta Kos stated Montenegro has closed over half of its negotiation chapters. www.lika-express.hr · novi.ba · www.telegram.hr · kamenjar.com · www.poslovni.hr
[● 5 SOURCES] Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expressed support for Albania joining the EU in 2029. cginfo.me · n1info.rs · verige.net · beta.rs · kuruc.info
[● 5 SOURCES] Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš suggested Albania deserves EU membership by 2029. cginfo.me · n1info.rs · verige.net · beta.rs · kuruc.info
[● 5 SOURCES] Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš argued that Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, should be included in the Schengen Area. cginfo.me · n1info.rs · verige.net · beta.rs · kuruc.info