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EU Leaders: Montenegro on Track for 2028 Membership
🇩🇰 Denmark /Economy & Trade

EU Leaders: Montenegro on Track for 2028 Membership

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • European Union leaders signaled that Montenegro could become the 28th member state by 2028.
  • EU President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed optimism about Montenegro's progress toward membership.
  • The proposed gradual integration plan for Western Balkan countries offers potential benefits while Montenegro pursues full membership.

The countdown has begun for Montenegro to potentially join the European Union as its 28th member state, with leaders suggesting a 2028 timeline. Both EU President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed this outlook following the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro.

The countdown has begun for the next enlargement of the EU. For Montenegro to become the 28th member in 2028.

— António CostaEU President António Costa spoke about Montenegro's potential EU membership timeline after the EU-Western Balkans summit.

"The countdown has begun for the next enlargement of the EU. For Montenegro to become the 28th member in 2028," stated António Costa. Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, adding, "That Montenegro becomes a member of the EU in 2028 is within reach. It is very clear."

That Montenegro becomes a member of the EU in 2028 is within reach. It is very clear.

— Ursula von der LeyenEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commented on Montenegro's progress toward EU membership.

Montenegro has made significant strides in meeting the EU's accession requirements, which are divided into six negotiation areas and 35 chapters. The country's president, Jakov Milatović, described EU membership as a "generational goal." He expressed confidence that membership would be achieved in 2028, noting that Montenegro is the only country currently working on drafting its accession treaty, setting it apart from other Western Balkan nations like Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia, which hold EU candidate status.

All in Montenegro are focused on the common goal, and you are working impressively fast. So you are close to the finish line, which is membership of the EU.

— Ursula von der LeyenUrsula von der Leyen praised Montenegro's efforts in meeting EU accession criteria.

While the EU requires unanimous support from all member states for new admissions, a proposal from Germany and France suggests gradual integration for Western Balkan countries. This plan could offer partial access to the EU's internal market and observer status at key meetings while candidates await full membership. However, Milatović clarified that this gradual approach does not apply to Montenegro due to its advanced stage in the accession process.

After today's meeting, I am sure that we will succeed in becoming a member of the EU in 2028.

— Jakov MilatovićMontenegro's President Jakov Milatović expressed confidence in achieving EU membership by 2028.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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