# Montenegro EU accession and US partnership > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/macron-backs-venezuelan-opposition-leader-machado-in-paris > Updated: 2026-07-30T21:00:00.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 12. Montenegro continues to push its EU integration agenda while expanding strategic ties with the United States. In late July 2026, Minister of Public Works Majda Adžović met U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Lawton in Washington, where more than 15 American firms expressed interest in energy, infrastructure, technology and cyber‑security projects. The dialogue resulted in concrete plans to modernise the Montenegrin police force, supported by visits from U.S. agencies—including the State Department, INL, ICITAP and the FBI—to the Forensic Center in Danilovgrad. A few days later, DPS parliamentary leader Andrija Nikolić announced parliamentary backing for the newly signed U.S.–Montenegro strategic partnership agreement. He stressed that the programme, aimed at new generations of infrastructure, digital and energy projects, must be transparent, economically justified and consistent with Montenegro’s 2028 EU accession target, recalling the United States’ historic aid to the country. On 30 July 2026, Michael Keays, interim chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro, visited the northern town of Berane and met with municipal leaders – Mayor Đole Lutovac, Assembly President Vida Ivanović and Deputy Mayor Milosava Paunović. The talks highlighted the proposed Adriatic‑Ionian highway as a priority for improving north‑south connectivity, and explored ways to boost tourism and mobilise the diaspora’s investment potential. The meeting reaffirmed U.S. interest in supporting Montenegro’s infrastructure agenda, which the government views as essential for meeting its 2028 EU accession target. ## Claims - The meeting included representatives of the INL program and the ICITAP program. (corroborated by 3 sources) - U.S. officials pledged continued support and cooperation with Montenegro’s police. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Discussions considered joint projects and capacity‑building to modernise Montenegro’s police force. (corroborated by 3 sources) - U.S. Embassy officials visited Montenegro Police Directorate’s Forensic Center in Danilovgrad. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Police Director Lazar Šćepanović highlighted reforms and results in fighting organized crime and corruption. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Majda Adžović met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Lawton in Washington. (single source) - More than 15 U.S. companies from energy, infrastructure, technology and cyber‑security sectors met with Adžović. (single source) - U.S. agencies including the State Department, EXIM Bank, CLDP and the U.S. Trade Ministry were part of the talks. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-30: US Embassy Delegation Visits Berane, Montenegro to Discuss Infrastructure and Tourism U.S. Embassy chargé d'affaires Michael Keays met Berane officials to discuss the Adriatic‑Ionian highway, tourism development and diaspora cooperation in northern Montenegro. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-embassy-delegation-visits-berane-montenegro-to-discuss-infrastructure-and-tourism ### 2026-07-28: United States and Montenegro deepen police partnership and economic collaboration U.S. and Montenegro boost police cooperation and economic ties as Montenegrin officials meet U.S. officials and American companies, and U.S. Embassy staff visit Montenegro’s police forensic centre. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-montenegro-strategic-partnership-expands-with-investment-talks-and-police-cooperation ### 2026-07-03: Montenegro and United States Sign Economic Cooperation Memorandum Montenegro and the US signed a 2024 Memorandum of Economic Cooperation to boost trade, investment and joint projects in digital, energy, infrastructure and tourism sectors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-and-united-states-sign-economic-cooperation-memorandum ### 2026-06-22: Montenegro pushes EU accession and upgrades health system Montenegro's EU support rises to 86% in a new survey, while health officials pledge oncology reforms, a €1.5 million health‑centre upgrade and a large new university clinical centre with French partnership. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-pushes-eu-accession-and-upgrades-health-system ### 2026-06-06: Montenegro aims for EU membership by 2028 after Macron visit Macron’s visit and EU summit endorse Montenegro’s reforms, targeting EU membership by 2028. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-aims-for-eu-membership-by-2028-after-macron-visit ### 2026-06-05: Montenegro receives French support as EU accession reaches final phase France backs Montenegro’s EU accession, with President Macron visiting Cetinje, praising reforms, and signing health, infrastructure and security agreements as the country pushes toward a 2028 EU membership. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-receives-french-support-as-eu-accession-reaches-final-phase ### 2026-06-04: Montenegro and France Sign Memorandum to Boost EU Accession Support Montenegro and France signed a three‑year memorandum in Cetinje to boost cooperation and public awareness in France for Montenegro’s final EU accession negotiations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-and-france-sign-memorandum-to-boost-montenegros-eu-accession-effort ### 2026-06-03: Emmanuel Macron receives Montenegro's top state honor during Cetinje visit French President Emmanuel Macron will receive Montenegro’s highest state order from President Jakov Milatović during his official Cetinje visit, highlighting strengthened ties and EU‑path support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emmanuel-macron-receives-montenegros-top-state-honor-during-cetinje-visit ### 2026-06-02: French President Emmanuel Macron visits Montenegro Emmanuel Macron visited Montenegro on 4 June 2026, received its highest state honor and reaffirmed French support for Montenegro’s EU membership bid ahead of an EU‑Western Balkans summit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-president-emmanuel-macron-visits-montenegro ### 2026-05-15: Serbian President Vucic Rejects Invitation to Montenegro's 20th Independence Celebration Vucic says he will not attend Montenegro's 20th‑anniversary celebrations, calling them a grandiose separation fest. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbian-president-vucic-rejects-invitation-to-montenegros-20th-independence-celebration ### 2026-05-12: Montenegro President Milatović Reaffirms NATO Commitment Montenegro’s president reaffirms NATO ties and EU accession goals after meeting NATO chief Mark Rutte. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-deepens-nato-partnership-and-celebrates-top-business-leaders ### 2026-05-09: Macron and Montenegro leaders call for a stronger, independent EU Macron and Montenegro's PM praise a stronger, independent EU, with Portugal pledging continued support. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macron-and-montenegro-leaders-call-for-a-stronger-independent-eu --- Cite as: Montenegro EU accession and US partnership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/macron-backs-venezuelan-opposition-leader-machado-in-paris