[REVISION HISTORY]

Montenegro EU accession faces bilateral and domestic hurdles

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2026-10-26 21:42 UTC → 2026-10-28 20:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Montenegro continues to advance its European Union accession goals through legislative reform and diplomatic engagement. While the nation has closed more than half of its negotiation chapters, the process faces significant complications. Bilateral disputes with Croatia persist. During an EU summit in Brussels, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković successfully intervened to amend European Council conclusions, removing specific deadlines for closing negotiation chapters and language regarding the earliest possible completion of the accession treaty. Plenković outlined eight requirements Montenegro must meet to secure Croatian support, focusing on Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and Chapter 31 (Foreign, Security, and Defence Policy), alongside issues such as property rights and missing persons. Montenegrin officials, including Slaven Radunović, have criticized this as exerting undue pressure. Despite these tensions, Montenegro has maintained diplomatic momentum. EU Commissioner Marta Kos indicated that technical negotiations could conclude by early 2027, with potential membership by 2028. Montenegro is making progress on specific chapters, with Chapter 19 (Social Policy and Employment) nearing provisional closure and Chapter 12 (Food Safety) expected to close by year-end. Legislative efforts are also underway to align digital and financial laws with EU regulations. However, the process remains threatened by domestic political instability. A standoff in Parliament emerged following an opposition initiative to remove Speaker Andrija Mandić, triggered by his condolences to the family of Ratko Mladić. The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has threatened to withhold the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments necessary to close EU negotiation chapters unless a formal debate on Mandić’s removal occurs. By late October 2026, Prime Minister Milojko Spaić reported that support from European parliamentarians for accession is “stronger than ever.”

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