Montenegro aims for EU entry by 2028 amid tough reforms and negotiations
Montenegro plans to finish accession talks this year and join the EU in 2028, but challenges remain in rule-of-law and corruption reforms.
With Iceland’s recent referendum defeat, Montenegro now leads the list of potential 28th EU members. Its authorities aim to wrap up negotiations on all accession chapters before the end of the year, targeting full membership in 2028. An interview with Marjan Šarec, former Slovenian prime minister and the parliament’s rapporteur for Montenegro, reveals optimism tempered by realism: while 18 chapters are provisionally closed, the remaining ones on rule of law, the judiciary, corruption and organized crime are especially demanding. Šarec warns that passing legislation is only the first step; effective implementation will take years, given Montenegro’s small population of roughly 630,000, which complicates prosecutions. He notes that progress has been made, allowing for cautious optimism, but stresses that the accession process also hinges on the unanimous consent of existing EU states.
