Montenegro gains EU leaders' backing for accession at Tivat summit

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced strong EU support for Montenegro’s accession during a summit in the coastal city of Tivat. The leaders said the Union must demonstrate its will to expand and pledged to help Montenegro integrate as quickly as possible.

Both officials stressed that the Western Balkans have been waiting years for enlargement and that concrete steps will be discussed to move the accession process forward. The gathering marked the first time Montenegro hosted a meeting of the highest European and regional leaders on EU matters.