Montenegro Takes Historic Step Toward EU Membership

Montenegro Takes Historic Step Toward EU Membership

EU ambassadors in Brussels have approved the launch of accession treaty negotiations with Montenegro, bringing the Balkan nation closer to becoming the bloc's 28th member state. No other EU candidate country has yet reached this advanced stage in the membership process.

European Commission Vice-President Marта Kos hailed the decision as "an important milestone on Montenegro's path to EU membership" and "a clear recognition of the progress the country has achieved." She emphasized that the treaty framework will incorporate lessons from previous enlargements and include reinforced guarantees regarding the rule of law and fundamental EU values in the acceding state.

Other senior EU officials have also welcomed Montenegro's advancement. The country's government has expressed hopes of completing the accession process by 2028 at the latest.

Montenegro was granted candidate status for EU membership in 2010 and has long been regarded as the strongest contender to become the first new member since Croatia's accession in 2013.

Ukraine's Fast-Track Membership Raises Tensions

The EU's deliberations over a potential expedited membership process for Ukraine have generated friction among Western Balkan candidate nations, which have been "waiting in line" for years. However, leaders of several EU member states have signaled that special treatment for Ukraine is unlikely.

Ukraine obtained candidate status for EU membership but formal accession negotiations have not yet commenced. Hungary had previously blocked the start of these negotiations, though a change in Budapest's government may accelerate the process moving forward.