Podgorica (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will visit Montenegro on 16-17 January 2025 to review the state of affairs in EU accession talks.
The Speaker of Parliament, Andrija Mandic, is due to meet Montenegro President Jakov Milatović. She will be meeting the prime minister, Milojko Spajić and also speaking at the Parliament; she will then hold meetings with members of parliament, including the opposition.
This visit demonstrates that the commissioner appreciates much development by Montenegro, which has turned out to be the most developed country with respect to accession negotiations. Moreover, the commissioner is persuading Montenegro to stay on course and make it faster, as enlargement is strictly merit-based. In view of the shocking shooting attack in Cetinje, where 13 people were killed, the Commissioner will offer condolences on behalf of the EU Commission.
How is montenegro progressing in EU accession negotiations?
Currently, Montenegro is strongly focused on fulfilling the goal of becoming the 28th member of the European Union by 2028, to which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently reaffirmed:
The ambitions are high, but Montenegro continues its progress in the accession process and can achieve this goal.
This reflects the Council of the European Union’s willingness to draft Montenegro’s Accession Treaty, an important step to join the EU in full. This is the culmination of continuing discussions and preparation that will ultimately seal Montenegro’s entry into the EU.
Montenegro has 35 chapters to close as part of the accession process to the EU. The Montenegrin government will aim to finish 26 of those chapters by the end of 2026. It is a critical moment for this effort. Montenegro prioritizes reforms in governance and the rule of law across various sectors, which are necessary for ensuring alignment with Brussels’ monitored standards and benchmarks.
