Will Montenegro join the European Union?

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Montenegro is a candidate country for European Union (EU) membership. Montenegro officially began its EU accession process in 2010 and has made progress in aligning its legislation and institutions with EU standards. However, the process of becoming an EU member involves various factors, negotiations, and reforms, and the timeline for Montenegro’s accession is subject to these factors.

The decision to admit a new member into the EU is made collectively by the existing member states, and each candidate country must meet the necessary criteria and fulfill the requirements set by the EU. The pace and outcome of Montenegro’s EU membership ultimately depend on the progress made by the country in areas such as rule of law, democracy, human rights, economic reforms, and alignment with EU policies.

It’s important to note that the EU accession process can take several years or even decades for a candidate country, as it requires extensive reforms and negotiations. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on Montenegro’s EU membership status, it is advisable to consult official sources or follow the latest news updates regarding Montenegro’s relationship with the EU.

At what stage is Montenegro in the EU process?

Montenegro began accession negotiations with the European Union in 2012 and has since made significant progress, continuing to move forward swiftly towards membership with new steps taken in coordination with EU officials.

The latest stage in Montenegro’s EU membership process is summarized in the report published by the European Commission on October 6, 2020, as follows;

Membership negotiations between Montenegro and the EU commenced in 2012 and to date, out of 33 chapters opened, three have been provisionally closed. Progress in the rule of law is critical to the overall advancement of the negotiations. Montenegrin authorities have consistently identified European integration as a top priority for the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Western Balkans both economically and socially, leading to a decline in the Gross Domestic Product across the region and job losses. Despite being affected by the pandemic itself, the EU has provided financial support exceeding 3.3 billion Euros to address the health crisis and subsequent needs in the region, incorporating the Western Balkans into many of the EU’s mechanisms. The EU has emphasized that emergency measures taken to combat the pandemic must be proportional, limited to what is necessary, and temporary to ensure the protection of democratic standards and the rule of law.

European Comission Report

You can access the full report via European Comission Montenegro 2020 Report provided.