EU Enlargement: Montenegro’s accession is a milestone for the future of Europe

Rade Vujacic | Issue 6 | Comment, Magazine

From the Archive

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After a decade of negotiations, citizens must now secure Montenegro’s path to EU membership

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s economic aggression around the world has changed the EU’s approach to global security and created a new impetus for its enlargement process. Faster enlargement, particularly in the Western Balkans, is seen by the EU as a strategic necessity for regional stability and prosperity. As an immediate reaction to Russia’s war, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia decided to submit their request for EU membership, with EU leaders quickly granting Ukraine, Moldova, and Bosnia (who applied in 2016) candidate status, and pushing for quicker negotiations with the Western Balkans candidates. This is a great opportunity, in unique circumstances, for Montenegro to also secure its path to EU membership.

Negotiating since 2012, Montenegro has been viewed as the most advanced country in the accession process relative to other candidates, opening all 33 chapters and closing three. However, this status is more indicative of the EU’s enlargement fatigue over the past few years than a compliment to Montenegro. Progress in Montenegro’s accession has stalled completely; the country has not closed a single chapter in the past five years and the political system is paralysed with divisions between pro-EU and pro-Russian factions. With EU enlargement likely accelerating in the coming months and EU leaders actively engaging with 10 candidate and potential candidate …

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