While the European Union (EU) accession of the Western Balkan countries has been frequently discussed recently, most experts state that Montenegro is the top country in the region eligible for EU membership. The reason behind Montenegro’s standing is that it minimizes its problems with its neighbors compared to other Balkan countries.
After Montenegro’s parliament declared its independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, the country applied for EU membership in 2008. In 2010, the European Commission issued a positive comment on Montenegro’s application. Then, in December 2011, the EU Council announced that it would launch accession negotiations in June 2012. After eight years of accession negotiations, the opening of all 33 chapters, three of which were temporarily closed, was decided. Montenegro’s accession process to the Union is still under discussion.[i] Moreover, the Podgorica Municipality, which adopts the euro as its currency, is one of the fastest-growing countries in the Western Balkans among other EU candidate states.
Despite this positive atmosphere, the European Commission’s 2022 Enlargement Report states that the country has certain responsibilities to fulfill.[ii] These include freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the fight against corruption and organized crime, and the credibility of the judiciary. These issues remaining unresolved furthers Montenegro away from the EU.
Although the Government of Montenegro has implemented detailed policies to solve the structural problems mentioned, no satisfactory results have yet been achieved for the EU. Furthermore, the Podgorica administration should not be viewed as the only party responsible for Montenegro’s prolonged EU accession process. It is known that enlargement procedures are carried out slowly within the EU. In fact, this aspect of the union has been criticized many times by international actors. In addition to the slow and thorough nature of the decision-making mechanism, some EU member states are skeptical about enlargement itself. Undoubtedly, this also applies to Montenegro.
The reason for the skeptical approach of these countries is to examine in detail whether certain values, which have become the identity of the EU, are adopted by the candidate countries or not. For example, even within the member states, the EU closely investigates to see concepts such as human rights, economic reform, freedom of expression and judicial independence being applied.[iii] Therefore, as it can be seen in the commission report, having concerns about Montenegro, the EU aims at making the accession process safer.
This situation is not unique to Montenegro; it is seen that the EU’s already slow decision-making mechanism is busy with the Ukrainian War and the various political and economic problems emerging from it. In particular, finding a solution to the energy crisis is taken as a more important concern than the EU’s enlargement. In addition, the economic crisis is among the factors that stop the expansion due to the high inflation accompanying the energy crisis. It is known that the Western Balkan countries are not economically strong, indicating more burden on the EU.
Despite all the difficulties, the reason for the close contact of EU diplomats with the Western Balkan countries and the Berlin Process came to the fore; in other words, the reason for this geography to gain importance for the EU is security. Although it is estimated that Russia’s war against the West will not extend beyond Ukraine, no one could predict that such a destructive war would occur in the east of Europe in February 2022. Therefore, EU countries, whose energy and economic security is under threat, have attached more importance to the east of Europe and the Balkans region in general for border security.
On the other hand, considering Montenegro’s domestic politics, the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro, which governed for thirty years, worked devotedly to realize EU reforms and become eligible for membership with its pro-European attitude. However, the coalition formed in the 2020 elections by the conservative parties known to be pro-Russian came to power under the leadership of For the Future of Montenegro Party. However, in June 2022, Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic announced that he would sign the “Basic Agreement” on the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), which led to controversies in Montenegro. As Abazovic refused to take a step back, the controversies escalated and the Abazovic Government could not receive a vote of confidence. Thus, the government fell. Recent developments can be interpreted as a negative political period for Montenegro.
From the people of Montenegro’s standpoint, EU membership is mostly supported. According to Euronews surveys, roughly 80% of the people are in favor of Montenegro’s EU membership.[iv] Of course, the reason behind this demand of the people of Montenegro is the economic prosperity that the EU will provide. Freedom of movement to other EU states and easier employment in these countries are the advantages that would benefit the people of Montenegro. Moreover, it can be assumed that Montenegro, which has a coast to the Adriatic Sea, would welcome more tourists with the EU membership.
In addition to the social and economic benefits mentioned, Montenegro’s accession to the EU may bring positive developments in domestic politics. Speaking of the essentials, the journey to democratization will gain a new dynamism with EU membership.
As a result, Montenegro is seen as a more eligible candidate for the EU compared to other Western Balkan countries. While the country’s foreign policy is the most significant aspect, this view has many dimensions. Above all, Montenegro has solved most of the problems it has experienced with its neighbors. However, in the 2022 Enlargement Report published by the European Commission, it is emphasized that Montenegro is not yet fully eligible for membership, and that there are steps of democratization, transparency and liberation that need to be completed. However, from a broad perspective and considering European geopolitics, it can be said that the importance of the Balkan geography for the EU has increased. Nevertheless, it is difficult to say that Montenegro will soon become a member of the EU. Regardless, it is certain that the EU membership will make significant contributions to Montenegro in socio-economic, political and cultural terms. For this reason, the majority of the people of Montenegro support the EU accession.
[i] “Montenegro”, European Commission, https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/montenegro_en, (Date of Accession: 04.11.2022).
[ii] “2022 Enlargement Package: European Commission Assesses Reforms In The Western Balkans And Turkey And Recommended Candidate Status For Bosnia and Herzegovina” , European Commission, %20ehttps://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/n/ip_22_6082, (Date of Accession: 04.11.2022).
[iii] “Υποκλοπ이ς – PEGA: Δεν Υπάρχουν Αποδεί little Αλλά Να Ερευνηθούν Υι Καταγγελίες Υια Pegasus Και Predator”, in.gr, https://www.in.gr/2022/11/04/politics/ypoklopes-pega-den-yparxoun-apodeikseis-alla-na-ereynithoun-oi-kataggelies-gia-pegasus-kai-pretador/, (Date of Accession: 04.11.2022).
[iv] Orlando Crowcroft, “Montenegro Wants To Join The EU-But Will Brussels Have It?”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2021/02/01/montenegro-wants-to-join-the-eu-but-will-brussels-have-it, (Date of Accession: 07.11.2022).
