Montenegro aims for EU membership by 2028 with "28 by 28" slogan

Montenegro has set an ambitious goal to join the European Union by 2028, with its government aiming to provisionally close all accession negotiation chapters by the end of this year. The country has even adopted the slogan "28 by 28," signifying its aspiration to become the 28th member state.

Predrag Zenović, Montenegro's chief negotiator with the EU, expressed optimism during a meeting with Latvian journalists in Podgorica, highlighting the nation's progress. However, experts from the Podgorica-based think tank "Institut Alternativa" offer a more cautious perspective. They suggest that the government might be creating a spectacle for the European Commission and the public, claiming smooth progress while facing potential short-term challenges.

“

The goal of the Montenegrin government and all negotiations is to provisionally close all accession negotiation chapters by the end of this year and to achieve membership as a full member of the European Union by 2028. There is even a slogan: "28 by 28" or the 28th member state by 2028.

This push for EU integration comes as European nations agreed to unlock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia. In this context, Montenegro quietly achieved a milestone: the formation of a working group to prepare the draft accession treaty. Media outlet "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty" (RFE/RL) notes that while this is a technical step, it carries symbolic weight in the broader EU enlargement policy.

The "Institut Alternativa" experts believe the government's approach is designed to impress external bodies. "They put on a show for the European Commission, for you, and for everyone else, saying, look, everything is moving very smoothly," they stated, implying a potential disconnect between public presentation and the actual complexities of the accession process.

“

They put on a show for the European Commission, for you, and for everyone else, saying, look, everything is moving very smoothly.