Montenegro Nears EU Membership as Leaders Signal 2028 Admission

Montenegro moved closer to joining the European Union after a summit in Tivat where EU officials said the country's accession could be completed by 2028. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the accession "within reach," while EU Council President António Costa and leaders from Germany and France echoed the optimism. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and President Jakov Milatović stressed the need to finish the remaining reforms, noting that 14 of the required 35 policy clusters have already been closed.

The meeting also addressed broader EU enlargement policy, drawing lessons from Hungary’s recent democratic backsliding. EU policymakers discussed mechanisms to enforce democratic standards on new members, including potential financial penalties after accession. The bloc framed Balkan expansion as a strategic move to counter external threats, particularly from Russia, and to strengthen regional stability.