EU to Draft Accession Treaty for Montenegro, a First Since 2013—Leaving Ukraine Behind

Montenegro Moves Closer to EU Membership

European Union member states have agreed to begin drafting an accession treaty for Montenegro, marking the first time since 2013 that the bloc has initiated such a process for a new member. Montenegro was granted EU candidate status in 2010, but its integration efforts had been slow-moving until now. This development signals a renewed push for enlargement after years of stagnation.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, noted that this step underscores Montenegro’s progress in implementing reforms. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos congratulated Montenegro and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, stating:

“Your future within the European Union is becoming a tangible reality.” – Marta Kos

She added that this recognition of Montenegro’s achievements also serves as encouragement to accelerate reforms further.

Ukraine’s Stalled Path

Meanwhile, Ukraine—also an EU candidate—has been unable to launch formal accession talks due to opposition from Hungary. Germany and France have proposed offering Ukraine symbolic benefits during the pre-integration phase to keep momentum alive. Kyiv has indicated a willingness to postpone certain EU benefits in exchange for a faster track to full membership.

The move on Montenegro opens new avenues for discussing EU expansion. Commissioner Kos remarked:

“This also allows us to learn from past enlargements and embed stronger safeguards in future accession treaties to prevent backsliding.”

As such, the process launched for Montenegro could serve as a pivotal milestone for broader enlargement negotiations and the integration of other candidate countries.

A successful start to Montenegro’s accession talks may signal hope for other aspiring EU members. It also reflects a shift in the EU’s enlargement strategy, aimed at revitalizing integration and fostering greater regional stability. Observers will now watch closely to see how this affects negotiations for other candidates—especially Ukraine, which continues to face political hurdles on its path to membership.

This recent development regarding Montenegro highlights the contrasting situation faced by Ukraine in its EU aspirations. While Montenegro progresses towards formal accession, Ukraine is contemplating delaying certain EU benefits to expedite its membership bid. This contrast underscores the complexities of EU enlargement and the varying paths of candidate countries.