Why isn t Montenegro in the EU?

Montenegro is not yet a member of the European Union (EU) for a number of reasons, including:

• Corruption: Montenegro has a long history of corruption, which has impeded its progress towards EU membership. The EU has repeatedly called on Montenegro to crack down on corruption, but progress has been slow.
• Organized crime: Montenegro is also a major hub for organized crime, which has further complicated its accession process. The EU has demanded that Montenegro take steps to combat organized crime, but again, progress has been slow.
• Rule of law: Montenegro’s judiciary is not yet fully independent, which is another requirement for EU membership. The EU has urged Montenegro to make further reforms to its judiciary, but these reforms have been slow to materialize.
• Economy: Montenegro’s economy is relatively small and underdeveloped, which has also made it a less attractive candidate for EU membership. The EU has demanded that Montenegro make further progress on economic reforms, but these reforms have also been slow to materialize.

Despite these challenges, Montenegro remains committed to joining the EU. In 2012, Montenegro began accession negotiations with the EU, and it is currently one of the most advanced Western Balkan countries in the accession process. However, it is likely to be several more years before Montenegro is able to join the EU.

In addition to the above reasons, there are also some political factors that have hindered Montenegro’s progress towards EU membership. For example, there is a vocal minority of Montenegrins who oppose EU membership, and this has made it difficult for the government to build a consensus on the issue. Additionally, Montenegro’s relations with neighboring Serbia have been strained in recent years, which has also complicated its accession process.

Despite these challenges, Montenegro remains committed to joining the EU. The country has made significant progress in recent years on a number of reforms, and it is hopeful that it will be able to join the bloc in the near future.