Montenegro: Closer than ever to EU membership
"Montenegro stands closer to the European Union than at any point in its history," commented the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur on Montenegro Marjan Šarec today, as the European Parliament adopted its report on Montenegro. Liberals and Democrats welcome the adoption of the report, the closure of additional negotiating chapters and recognise the sustained efforts made by Montenegrin institutions. Every step Montenegro takes towards EU membership strengthens Europe as a whole.
Progress on reforms, a firm commitment to European integration and very strong citizens’ support for EU membership- these messages marked today's vote on the Montenegro report. The Parliament’s position on the 2025 Commission report on Montenegro comes just two days after the Foreign Affairs Council confirmed that accession negotiations the provisional closure of two accession negotiations chapters. MEP Šarec commented:
“Montenegro's progress demonstrates that enlargement is a strategic investment in European security, stability and resilience - not just for the country, but for Europe as a whole. The country remains the frontrunner in the enlargement process and has achieved substantial progress over the past year, with no other country as advanced in the process. With 16 chapters closed, for Montenegro EU membership is no longer a distant aspiration, but a realistic and achievable objective.”
Marjan ŠarecRenew Europe MEP, Slovenia, Gibanje Svoboda
Montenegro has spent more than a decade preparing for EU membership and has opened all 33 negotiating chapters, provisionally closing 16 of them. The country has maintained a clear strategic commitment to European integration, strong public support for EU membership and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including restrictive measures against Russia following its aggression against Ukraine. Liberals and democrats call on state authorities and political actors to maintain momentum and continue delivering concrete results on EU-related reforms in the next stage of the accession process. EP rapporteur Šarec concluded:
“The European Union must also do its part. It must remain credible, consistent, and ready to recognise real progress when it is achieved. If Montenegro delivers, the European Union must be ready to deliver as well.”