EU Ambassadors Greenlight Team to Advance Montenegro’s Accession

Establishment of a Special Task Force

According to Главком: On May 13, ambassadors from EU member states approved the creation of a Special Task Force responsible for drafting Montenegro’s accession treaty. This move supports the country’s ambition to achieve full EU membership by 2028. To promote this objective, the slogan '28 by 2028' was introduced and has since appeared on aircraft operated by the national airline.

Montenegro has already closed 14 out of 33 negotiation chapters. However, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stressed that further reforms are essential to meet the target.

Hurdles on the Path to Membership

Among the biggest challenges to joining the bloc remains the rule of law, which is regarded as the most formidable obstacle. The European Commission views Montenegro’s case as a 'testing ground' that could shape future accession processes for other countries. On Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Montenegro and held talks with President Jakov Milatović.

Montenegro was granted EU candidate status in 2010, with formal negotiations beginning in 2012. EU Enlargement Commissioner Kaja Kallas stated:

'We see the goal of new countries joining the EU by 2030 as realistic.'

Besides Montenegro, other nations expected to potentially join the EU by 2030 include Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania.

The formation of the Special Task Force to prepare Montenegro’s accession treaty marks a critical step in the country’s European integration journey. This decision underscores the European Union’s commitment to enlargement and highlights the need for continued reforms-especially concerning the rule of law-which are vital to meeting membership requirements. Montenegro’s experience could provide valuable lessons for other candidate countries aiming to join the EU in the coming years.

As Montenegro navigates its path toward EU membership, lessons from other candidate nations are becoming increasingly relevant. For instance, the recent shift in Brussels regarding Ukraine's membership strategy has introduced a new privileges package, which may set a precedent for how the EU approaches future enlargements. To explore how these changes could impact Montenegro and other aspirants, read more about the new membership strategies in the EU.