Brussels: The European Union has identified Montenegro as the most advanced nation among countries aspiring to join the bloc, marking a renewed momentum in the EU’s enlargement process. The announcement, made in Brussels by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, highlights Montenegro’s steady progress in democratic reforms, rule of law, and economic alignment with European standards.
Speaking ahead of the EU’s annual enlargement report, Commissioner Kos noted that Montenegro, along with Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, has demonstrated “significant advances” in its path toward membership. She emphasized that these developments make EU expansion a “realistic possibility in the coming years,” suggesting a shift in tone from cautious optimism to tangible encouragement. The Commissioner underlined that enlargement is no longer a distant goal but a key policy priority, both for stabilizing the Western Balkans and for strengthening the EU’s geopolitical resilience.
Kos also stressed the need for the Union itself to prepare for an expanded membership. “We must ensure that our institutions are ready for a larger EU,” she said, pointing out that internal reforms, particularly concerning governance, budget distribution, and voting mechanisms, must accompany any new accessions. The statement reflects a growing recognition within Brussels that the bloc’s readiness is as crucial as the candidate nations’ compliance.
For Montenegro, this recognition is both a milestone and a challenge. Since opening accession talks in 2012, the small Balkan nation has worked steadily to align its legal and institutional systems with EU frameworks. It has completed many of the negotiation chapters and continues to strengthen anti-corruption measures, judicial independence, and administrative transparency. This progress, the EU believes, places Montenegro at the forefront of the region’s integration efforts.
However, officials in Brussels acknowledge that hurdles remain. The fight against organized crime, the consolidation of political stability, and the implementation of judicial reforms still require consistent attention. Montenegro’s political leaders are under pressure to maintain the reform momentum to avoid stagnation a fate that has slowed other candidates in the past.
The recognition of Montenegro as the frontrunner in EU enlargement carries significant implications for the wider Western Balkans. It could serve as a motivational benchmark for neighboring aspirants such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, where accession processes have faced political or technical obstacles. Moreover, by including Moldova and Ukraine in the same context, the European Commission has signaled its intention to integrate both the Balkans and parts of Eastern Europe into a more cohesive European framework.
Analysts see this renewed emphasis on enlargement as part of the EU’s broader strategy to reinforce stability in its periphery amid growing global tensions. By moving closer to the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, the EU aims to counter external influences, particularly from Russia and China, while securing economic and energy partnerships in the region.
While the EU has not specified a formal accession date for Montenegro, the use of the phrase “most advanced country to join the bloc” marks a diplomatic endorsement of its efforts. For Montenegro, it strengthens investor confidence, encourages public support for reforms, and reaffirms its European identity. For the EU, it demonstrates that enlargement remains not just a policy goal but an ongoing process shaping the future of Europe itself.