Montenegro poised to join EU by 2028 after leaders' summit in Tivat

European leaders gathered in Tivat, Montenegro, to discuss the Union's enlargement into the Western Balkans. The summit, attended by heads of state including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focused on counter‑balancing Russian and Chinese influence in the region. Von der Leyen said Montenegro’s accession talks are now “within reach” and that the country could become an EU member as early as 2028. A dedicated working group has been created to draft the accession treaty, and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović said the meeting gave him stronger confidence that the goal will be achieved.

The summit also noted that about a dozen countries are seeking EU membership, including Ukraine, Moldova and Iceland, which will hold a referendum on applying for accession in August.