A very good signal for Montenegro, but also for the other countries of the Western Balkans: The European Commission estimates that Montenegro could be the next country to join the European Union. And there are also good signals regarding Albania...
According to the latest enlargement report, accession negotiations with this country could be completed by the end of this year. While EU membership could be achieved in 2028. An accession agreement could be signed as early as June 2027.
The European Commission highlighted Montenegro's progress in implementing the necessary reforms. For the first time since the conclusion of negotiations with Croatia in 2011, the EU sees a realistic prospect of concluding negotiations with a candidate country within a foreseeable period.
The European Commission assesses that both Albania and Moldova have made significant progress on the path towards European integration. Negotiations with Albania could be concluded by the end of 2027, while those with Moldova in early 2028. When Albania's membership can be expected depends largely on developments in this country.