Montenegro has been recognized as the most advanced country in the Western Balkans on its path to joining the European Union, according to the European Commission's new annual report on EU enlargement. The document emphasizes that Podgorica has demonstrated "the most significant progress" among the region's candidate countries, while Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are lagging significantly behind in reforms and political stabilization.
Montenegro is a leader in European integration
According to the report, Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters and has already closed seven of them. The European Commission noted that "the Montenegrin authorities' continued political commitment to the strategic goal of European integration has yielded tangible results in implementing the necessary reforms."
Progress in judicial reform is particularly noteworthy: in 2024, the country implemented an intensive phase of reforms aimed at strengthening the independence, impartiality, and accountability of the courts. These measures, it is emphasized, are already yielding "initial positive results."
Montenegro has also made progress in combating corruption, ensuring freedom of expression, and promoting media pluralism. Progress has also been noted in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as in implementing the Schengen and customs plans.
An important element of recognition by the EU was the granting of Montenegro access to Growth Plan for the Western Balkans — a six billion euro financial aid package designed to accelerate the region's development and integration. Podgorica has already fulfilled 30 conditions of the Reform Agenda and received funds from the second wave of payments.
Economic integration with the EU
Since October in Montenegro SEPA came into effect — Single Euro Payments Area. This means that funds transfers between Montenegrin and European banks are now processed under the same rules as within the EU, with lower fees and faster processing times.
In addition, Montenegro will join the EU on November 1st. Conventions on Joint Transit, which simplifies the movement of goods across borders and reduces administrative procedures for businesses. These steps, as the European Commission emphasizes, are concrete proof that the country is already integrating into the single European economic area.
Preparation of the accession agreement
According to the edition Politico, preparations for the project have already begun in Brussels Treaty on Montenegro's accession to the European UnionThis will be the first such document for the Western Balkan countries in recent years.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the new EU enlargement package, which will be presented in the coming days, "will be a geopolitical instrument demonstrating that the European Union is capable of responding to challenges across the continent."
According to her, the admission of new countries will occur with the introduction transitional periods — temporary restrictions on certain rights of new members, such as the use of veto power in foreign policy matters. This approach, according to Kos, will avoid blocking decisions and allay concerns among established EU members about the potential emergence of "new Orbans" within the Union.
Brussels' goal is to maintain the political momentum of enlargement, but at the same time ensure that only those countries that are truly ready for membership join the EU.
New member states may join the EU without full voting rights
The European Union is discussing the possibility of admitting new member countries without full voting rights, including veto power, in the initial stages of membership. As the Politico, this idea is intended to speed up the enlargement process – for example, for Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkan states – while avoiding the need for complex changes to the EU's founding treaties.
New members under this format would gain access to the Union's internal market, funds, and institutions, but their influence on key decisions would be temporarily limited. The initiative is currently at the stage of informal consultations between diplomats and has no legal force, but it reflects Brussels' desire to find a compromise between the rapid integration of candidates and maintaining effective governance in an enlarged EU.
Contrast with Neighbors: Stagnant Reforms in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
The European Commission's report emphasizes that Serbia "maintains European rhetoric," but the actual pace of reform remains slow. Brussels demands that Belgrade "implement credible reforms in all areas," and especially— convergence with the EU's foreign and defense policies, including the introduction of sanctions against Russia.
Serbia currently remains one of the few European countries that has not joined the anti-Russian sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission also notes "increasing social polarization" in the country, mass protests, and increased pressure on civil society and independent media.
The document states that Serbia still faces risks of "state capture" and high levels of corruption, and that government attempts to limit the independence of the judiciary "undermine the rule of law and democratic standards."
Another issue causing concern in Brussels is the accelerated acquisition of Serbian citizenship by Russian citizens, which creates "potential risks" for the visa-free regime between Belgrade and the EU.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina the situation is assessed as stagnation of reforms Amid political crises and confrontations between ethnic and administrative structures, the European Commission notes that Republika Srpska has adopted laws that undermine constitutional order, and former leader Milorad Dodik has been convicted of failing to implement decisions of the International High Representative.
Furthermore, due to delays in implementing the Reform Agenda, Brussels reduced financial aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina by 10%. Nevertheless, the country achieved full alignment with EU foreign and defense policy, including sanctions against Russia.
Europe accelerates expansion, but with restraint
The European Commission report emphasizes that The EU enlargement process is proceeding faster than in the last 15 years, however, caution remains among member countries. According to data Politico, some states, especially those neighboring potential candidates, remain skeptical and call for "no rush" in admitting new members.
Nevertheless, Brussels views Montenegro as an "example of successful integration" and a signal to other countries in the region. Analysts estimate that if Podgorica maintains the current pace of reforms, Montenegro's accession to the European Union could take place as early as 2028 — a symbolic year that the EU would like to mark as the beginning of a new wave of enlargement.
Photo source: Vlada Crne Gore (pictured: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro)
