Montenegro Leads EU Accession as European Leaders Praise Progress

Montenegro has been highlighted as the front‑runner among the Western Balkan candidates for European Union membership. In interviews broadcast by RTCG, leaders from the Netherlands, Ireland, Albania and Estonia praised the country’s recent advances and said that closing the remaining negotiation chapters by the end of the year is achievable. Dutch Prime Minister‑in‑waiting Rob Jeten called Montenegro “the front‑runner among all candidate states” and expressed confidence that the government and parliament will sustain the momentum. Irish Prime Minister‑designate Mihal Martin echoed the sentiment, noting the significant work done since 2013 and the country’s strong technical and political progress.

The positive signals were reinforced at the EU‑Western Balkans summit in Tivt, where officials stressed the need for continued reforms and readiness to meet the accession criteria. The summit’s atmosphere and the statements from EU leaders are expected to boost Montenegro’s reform drive and accelerate its path toward full EU membership.