The Newshound

Brussels says Montenegro, a nation of just 630,000, could join the EU as its 28th member in 2028

Montenegro's accession talks with Brussels have lasted more than 14 years, with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos confirming the country has already provisionally closed 21 of its 33 negotiating chapters.
Montenegro's accession talks with Brussels have lasted more than 14 years, with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos confirming the country has already provisionally closed 21 of its 33 negotiating chapters.

The European Commission's annual enlargement report suggests Montenegro could wrap up accession negotiations by December 2026 — making it the first candidate to reach that point since Croatia in 2011. EU enlargement chief Marta Kos indicated that a membership treaty could be ready to sign as early as June 2027, after which ratification by all 27 member states would be required before Montenegro could enter the bloc in 2028.

Outstanding bilateral disputes between Croatia and Montenegro remain the principal barrier to concluding negotiations on time.

Albania and Moldova follow in the queue, with Brussels anticipating that both will close talks by early 2028; Moldova's accession track is to be separated from Ukraine's.

The Commission's report cautioned that Serbia, Georgia and Turkey have in certain respects moved further away from satisfying membership criteria.

Morebluewin.chEuropean Commission: Montenegro Could Become the Next EU Member Stateeureporter.coMontenegro first in line for EU enlargement, accession treaty could be signed in June 2027kiprinform.comEuropean Commission: Montenegro could complete EU accession talks by end of 2026timesofmalta.comEU says Montenegroprotothema.grMontenegro one step away from EU membership, Commission sees accession negotiations concluding by end of 2026seenews.comMontenegro could sign EU accession treaty in June 2027ukrmedia.newsMontenegro may sign an EU accession treaty in 2027beninwebtv.comMontenegro: Brussels considers the end of EU accession negotiations as early as 2026vijesti.meKos: Montenegro on track to become an EU member in 2028, accession treaty likely in summer 2027.unn.uaMontenegro may become a member of the European Union in 2028informat.roEuropean Commission optimistic: Montenegro could conclude EU accession talks by the end of 2026The IndependentThe country of 630,000 on track to become the EU's 28th member state
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