Montenegro, after its secession from Serbia in 2006, has been interested in being a member of the European Union (EU). The country officially applied for membership in 2008, and after the visa-free status was given in 2009, its accession process was initiated within the scope of the EU Agreement on Stability and Partnership, and the country was granted a candidate status. Followingly, in 2012 the membership negotiations commenced.[1] As of 2024, the country’s utmost goal is to complete the accession process by 2028.[2]
As of September 2024, Montenegro is the country that has made the greatest progress among candidate countries in terms of meeting the criteria for negotiation chapters. In spite of the fact that the country has only closed three of the 33 chapters, it has reached a significant point in the 23rd and 24th negotiation chapters concerning the specified criteria.[3] This situation makes Montenegro one of the most important actors and hopes for integration into the EU in the Western Balkans.
In recent years, the country’s accession process has been hitched due to political instability. This stagnation has lasted three years. The passage of important laws and the requirement for significant appointments in the justice system to be approved by the parliamentary majority created a significant issue. Yet, in October 2023, with Milojko Spajic being elected as the Prime Minister in his movement of “Now Europe (PES)”, and came into office after creating a pro-European government, a new positive momentum was gained in the country. Since then, the Montenegrin government has made the required appointments and increased its cooperation with EU Agencies such as Europol contributing to internal integration of the organization. For the process in question, Prime Minister Spajic made statements indicating that his ministers are also aware of the fact that they have no chance to make mistakes on the path toward EU membership.[4]
Though the ultimate goal is membership by 2028, the government focuses on complementing the short-term goals such as the rule of law and foundational rights that include temporary criteria throughout 2024. So far, Podgorica has generally met the intermediate criteria for chapters 23 and 24 and announced that it has now entered the final stage of membership negotiations with the EU during the 16th Intergovernmental Conference held in Brussels last June, together with EU officials. Speaking at the conference, Spajic noted that Podgorica has melted the ice, while Oliver Varhelyi, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, described the development as historic.[5] In addition to that Brussels indicated that Montenegro must carry on with its improvements in the sovereignty of justice, and strengthen its stance against organized crime and corruption.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen referred to Montenegro’s 2028 EU targets as “ambitious but achievable,” although some critics argue that this goal is, in fact, modest. Recently, during a meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic in Podgorica, the President of the European Commission reiterated her commitment to Montenegro’s membership. As Spajic emphasized, there are still 26 chapters that the country needs to close. Nevertheless, the gradually softening political processes serve as a hopeful sign for the closure of these chapters.[6]
The reason for the augmentation of tourism in Montenegro can be attributed to the process of the EU in question. The citizens of the multiple countries that have no right to enter Montenegro without the requirement of a visa are willing to see the country before it becomes a member of the EU as a harsh visa process will be needed once the country becomes a member. Therefore, aside from the agreements between the EU and Montenegro, the European Union Integration has influenced the Montenegrin tourism sector a lot even now.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib also stated that Montenegro has got closer to the final step of the EU integration after its fulfillment of the rule of law criteria. Josep Borrell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs also stated its warm attitude towards Montenegro’s accession process and expressed how precious the country’s actions aligning with the policies of the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy.[7]
The officials’ statements are of great importance. Eventually, Montenegro is located in a region, which has close ties with the European Union in terms of cooperation and integration for years now and which is away from overcoming the political and ethnic tensions. The relations of the countries located in the region with the EU have grown rapidly with the Western Balkans Integration that was aimed to be improved with the Berlin Process. The collaborations in industry, tourism, transportation, and exchange have reached a certain important point. Although the individual memberships of countries in the region raise concerns due to the possibility of a veto, Montenegro stands out as one of the most neutral countries in this regard. The potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina to veto Serbia’s membership after its own accession, and the fact that this situation could apply to other countries in the region as well, ultimately poses a significant obstacle to the full integration of the region.
Although there are minor issues regarding minorities and borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, as well as differences of opinion concerning the recognition of Kosovo with Serbia that are not expected to lead to serious problems, and maritime boundary issues in the Adriatic Sea with Croatia that are mostly resolved through diplomatic channels, Montenegro distinguishes itself with a warmer and more neutral stance compared to other countries in the region. In this context, Montenegro is positioned positively for resolving issues with its neighbors as envisioned by the EU. Therefore, Montenegro is seen as the most promising country in the region for EU integration.
[1] Kajosevic, Samir (2021), Balkan Insight, “Montenegro Targets 2025 to be Ready for EU Accession”, https://balkaninsight.com/2021/03/26/montenegro-targets-2025-to-be-ready-for-eu-accession/, (Access Date: 05.11.2024).
[2] European Economic and Social Committee, “The EU-Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee: Montenegro is advancing in the EU accession path”, https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/news-media/press-releases/eu-montenegro-joint-consultative-committee-montenegro-advancing-eu-accession-path, (Access Date: 05.11.2024).
[3] Nic, Milan & Bechev, Dimitar (2024), German Council on Foreign Relations, “Montenegro’s EU Push: Imminent Opportunities and Challenges”, https://dgap.org/en/research/publications/montenegros-eu-push-imminent-opportunities-and-challenges, (Access Date: 05.11.2024).
[4] Baccini, Federico (2024), eunews, “From words to deeds. Montenegro has entered the final phase of EU accession negotiations”, https://www.eunews.it/en/2024/06/26/from-words-to-deeds-montenegro-has-entered-the-final-phase-of-eu-accession-negotiations/, (Access Date: 05.11.2024).
[5] RFE/RL’s Balkan Service, RadioFreeEurope Radio Liberty (2024), “Montenegro has “Broken The Ice” In EU Accession Talks, PM Says”, https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegro-eu-accession-negotiations-brussels-podgorica/33011296.html, (Access Date: 05.11.2024).
[6] Ozturk, Talha (2024), Anadolu Ajansı, “Montenegro could reach EU membership target in 2028: European Commission chief”, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/montenegro-could-reach-eu-membership-target-in-2028-european-commission-chief/3375811, (Access Date: 05.11.2024).
[7] Ozturk, Talha (2024), Anadolu Ajansı, “Montenegro ready to move to final stage of EU integration: Belgian foreign minister”, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/montenegro-ready-to-move-to-final-stage-of-eu-integration-belgian-foreign-minister/3259028, (Access Date: 05.11.2024).
