EU: Montenegro Advances Toward Membership, Ukraine Urged to Accelerate Reforms

The European Union announced yesterday that Montenegro is on track to join the bloc in 2028, while urging Ukraine to accelerate its reforms to complete accession negotiations by the end of the same year. In its annual report on enlargement policy, the EU stated that Montenegro has made progress in its accession negotiations, with 21 negotiation chapters provisionally closed and the possibility of closing the remaining chapters before the end of this year, paving the way for signing an accession treaty in June 2027 upon approval by member states.

Regarding Albania and Moldova, the report noted their continued progress in implementing reforms, expecting Albania to complete its accession negotiations by 2027 and Moldova by early 2028, emphasizing the importance of continuing reforms and strengthening political dialogue to ensure these goals are achieved.

Concerning Ukraine’s accession efforts, the report highlighted progress in implementing reforms despite the repercussions of the Russian war, noting the opening of four negotiation clusters during the past year and the fulfillment of conditions for opening the remaining clusters. It stressed the need to accelerate reforms, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, democratic institutions, and public administration, to complete accession negotiations by the end of 2028.

On the Serbian side, the report pointed to ongoing challenges related to accession negotiations, citing a lack of substantial progress in democracy, judicial independence, and fundamental rights, as well as weak alignment of foreign and security policy with EU directions. It added that Serbia’s progress in the accession process depends on its new government’s ability to address these challenges, commit to EU values, and fulfill its commitments within the dialogue with Kosovo.