Montenegro could join the EU by 2028, says Ursula von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for Montenegro becoming the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. During a meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić in Podgorica, von der Leyen praised the country's progress, particularly regarding the rule of law.

To finalize the accession process, von der Leyen emphasized the need for political stability, cross-party support, and strong relations with existing EU member states to resist societal division. The Commission plans to soon present a roadmap for leading candidate countries, including Montenegro, which will outline specific tasks and deadlines. While criteria must be met, von der Leyen noted that the process should not be indefinitely delayed.

Prime Minister Spajić stated his government aims to close all negotiation chapters by the end of 2026, targeting full EU entry in 2028. He noted that materials for most chapters have already been submitted to the European Commission for evaluation.