European Union countries have agreed to draft an accession agreement with Montenegro, marking a major step towards membership for the Balkan nation. The decision, taken by ambassadors of the 27 member states in Brussels, is the first time since 2013 that the bloc has initiated the formal process for enlargement.
Council President António Costa congratulated Montenegro on the decision, stating that for the first time since 2013, the EU starts the clock for the next enlargement. The last new member to join the EU was Croatia on July 1, 2013.
Montenegro has been negotiating membership since 2012, making it the longest-running candidate among current hopefuls. Currently, 14 of the 35 so-called negotiation chapters are closed, according to multiple reports. There is hope among officials to complete the remaining chapters by this year or 2027, though the timeline remains uncertain.
To become a full member, Montenegro must also secure final approvals from all current EU countries, a process that could face opposition from some member states. The specific chapters still to be closed have not been detailed, and it is unclear which EU countries might raise objections. The accession agreement itself must still be finalized, and Montenegro must continue implementing required reforms. The decision is seen as a signal of the EU's renewed commitment to enlargement, particularly in the Western Balkans, though the path to membership remains lengthy and complex.