Montenegro poised to become EU's next member as Parliament highlights progress

European Parliament officials said Montenegro is the furthest‑advanced Western Balkan candidate for European Union membership. President Milo Milatović declared that Montenegro is ready to join the EU, and MEP Marjan Šarec said, “Montenegro is a leading candidate … not a distant wish, but a realistic and achievable goal.”

In the same session, Parliament members compared Montenegro’s progress with that of Albania, which has opened all negotiating chapters, and criticised Bosnia and Herzegovina for its slow reforms and political deadlock. The debate underscored the EU’s strategic focus on fast‑tracking enlargement for the region while noting challenges for North Macedonia, Kosovo and other aspirants.