Brussels: Montenegro could finish EU accession talks by the end of this year
The European Commission's report says the country is close and could join the EU in 2028, but reforms are still required.
The European Commission said in a report published today that Montenegro could finalise its EU accession negotiations by the end of this year, a development that would open the way for the country to join the bloc as early as 2028.
Brussels sets out timeline but notes remaining tasks
In its assessment, the Commission stressed that Montenegro has made substantial progress in talks but still faces a number of outstanding obligations before accession can be completed.
“Montenegro is very close to completing accession negotiations. However, the country still needs to implement several reforms, particularly in the areas of fundamental rights and financial services,” said the European Commission's commissioner for enlargement, Marta Kos.
If the negotiations are closed by year‑end, the Commission indicated the procedural path would allow Montenegro to be formally invited to accede and, depending on ratification timetables among member states, to become a member in 2028.
Officials in Podgorica will now face pressure to translate the Commission's findings into concrete measures in the highlighted sectors in order to meet the conditional benchmarks before the negotiations are formally concluded.
Photo: DPA)
