Montenegro aims for EU membership by 2028 after Macron visit

French President Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Montenegro, signing five agreements on infrastructure, health, transport and ecological transition. French media and officials described Montenegro as a "laboratory" for a new model of EU enlargement, emphasizing rapid reforms needed for accession.

EU leaders at the summit in Tirana, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, said Montenegro has made significant progress and that joining the EU by 2028 is a realistic goal. They urged the Montenegrin government to finish remaining negotiation chapters and highlighted the broader Western Balkans push, mentioning Albania, Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova.

Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović welcomed the support, stating the country is ready for the final stage of its European path.