Montenegro set to join the EU in 2028

BRUSSELS – Montenegro could join the European Union as early as 2028, according to a report on enlargement published on Wednesday 4 November by the European Commission here in Brussels. The Commission expects the accession treaty to be signed with Podgorica next June. ‘Montenegro has made considerable efforts to introduce the reforms necessary for accession to the European Union (…) Negotiations could realistically be concluded in 2026.’

The path ahead appears more difficult for the other countries currently negotiating their accession to the EU with the 27 Member States. Brussels explained, with regard to Albania: ‘Cross-party cooperation and an inclusive and constructive dialogue within Parliament and with civil society are necessary to drive forward the European Union’s key reforms, particularly in the context of the ongoing protests, which are the largest since the country’s democratic transition.’

On the Ukrainian front, the European Commission is urging the country to ‘step up the pace of reforms’. In 2022, European leaders granted Ukraine and Moldova candidate country status. Yesterday, the Commission noted that Chișinău is making faster progress with reforms than Kyiv. “The Moldovan government has expressed its intention to provisionally conclude accession negotiations by early 2028. The Commission is committed to supporting this ambitious but achievable goal.”

In this regard, the report suggests that Moldova is likely to diverge from Ukraine. Once all the negotiation chapters have been opened for both countries, each country’s ability to absorb the acquis communautaire as quickly as possible will be the deciding factor. In this respect, the report published by the European Commission puts into practice the principle of the gradual integration of candidate countries. On the other hand, in many Member States, enlargement is met with caution, if not scepticism.