Montenegro Strengthens Its Position as the EU’s Most Advanced Candidate Country
In another significant milestone on its European path, the European Parliament adopted its annual resolution on Montenegro on the 17th of June, reaffirming that Montenegro remains the most advanced candidate for membership in the European Union and recognizing the substantial progress made in the accession process over the past year.
The resolution sends one of the strongest signals yet regarding Montenegro’s European future. Members of the European Parliament assessed that the country’s objective of completing accession negotiations by the end of 2026 is achievable, provided that the current pace of reforms and political commitment to European integration are maintained.
Steady Progress on the Path to Membership
Montenegro continues to lead all candidate countries in the accession process. This week, the country provisionally closed two additional negotiating chapters, bringing the total to 16 of 33.
The progress reflects sustained efforts to align legislation, institutions, and public administration with European Union standards. Areas such as financial control, transport, rule-of-law reforms, and public administration modernization have recorded notable advancements in recent years.
This process represents much more than a political achievement. Every chapter closed means greater alignment with European regulations, increased legal certainty, stronger institutions, and a more predictable business environment. If current reform momentum continues, Montenegro will become the European Union’s next member state before the end of this decade—an achievement that would further strengthen its position as one of Southeast Europe’s most attractive destinations for investment, business development, and long-term growth.
