Montenegro’s long-standing bid to join the European Union reached a historic milestone on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as EU ambassadors formally established the Ad Hoc Working Party to begin drafting the country’s Accession Treaty.
This legal step signals that the bloc is shifting from theoretical negotiations to the technical “fine print” of membership, moving the Western Balkan nation of 600,000 people closer to its goal of joining by 2028.
Progress at a Glance
Montenegro has been a candidate since 2010 and is currently the frontrunner among enlargement partners.
- Chapters Closed: 14 out of 33 chapters have been provisionally closed.
- The Goal: The “28 by 28” campaign—aiming to be the 28th member by 2028.
- Current Status: EU officials are now hammering out the legal framework required for final entry.
Remaining Hurdles: Rule of Law and “Hungary 2.0”
Despite the momentum, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos reminded Podgorica that the “Rule of Law” (Chapters 23 and 24) remains the toughest hurdle. The EU is particularly cautious about internal stability and judicial independence, seeking to avoid what officials call a “Hungary 2.0” scenario—where a member state experiences democratic backsliding after joining the bloc.
To counter this, the Commission has proposed a “two-tier accession” model, which would allow for a more gradual integration but has faced resistance from some member states who prefer the traditional “all or nothing” approach.
Diplomatic Support
The announcement coincided with high-level diplomatic activity:
- NATO Support: Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with President Jakov Milatović in Podgorica on Wednesday.
- Regional Stability: Milatović emphasized that Montenegro’s “credible NATO membership” and regional stability are key pillars for the final stage of EU negotiations.
“This marks a significant step forward… and sends a strong signal to all enlargement partners that EU accession remains within reach,” a Cypriot presidency spokesperson told POLITICO.
If Montenegro meets the remaining criteria by late 2027, it could potentially see its treaty ratified just in time for the 2028 deadline, ending a nearly two-decade-long journey toward European integration.
