Von der Leyen: Montenegro's EU membership "is within reach"

The President of the European Commission said this Tuesday that Montenegro's accession to the European Union (EU) "is truly within its reach" if the country carries out the reforms demanded by Brussels, particularly in terms of the rule of law.

“If Montenegro continues on this path, with this speed and determination — and I have no doubt about that — the goal of joining our Union will truly be within its reach,” said Ursula von der Leyen.

According to the leader of the Community Executive, "this is the time to move forward at full speed with reforms regarding the rule of law and transparency in public contracts."

Montenegro submitted its application for EU membership in December 2008 and was granted candidate country status in December 2010. Negotiations began in June 2012 and, to date, 33 negotiating chapters have been opened.

"There has been significant progress in many areas, such as the modernization of judicial systems. Several important laws were adopted before the summer, including significant electoral reforms in areas such as political finance, but the months and years ahead will be even more decisive," said Ursula von der Leyen.

The President of the European Commission began her annual visit to the Western Balkans in Albania on Monday , pledging support every step of the way towards EU membership.

Since 2021, the President of the European Commission has made annual visits to the Western Balkan countries—such as Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo—which have been waiting for years to join the European Union and are frustrated by the rapid progress of Ukraine and Moldova's candidacy.

Despite continuing to reform areas such as the rule of law, combating corruption, and aligning with European foreign policy, these countries feel unfairly treated as their efforts are met with slow and excessive demands. This perception of a half-open door fuels pro-EU skepticism and, in some cases, strengthens Russian and Chinese influence in the region, at a time when Brussels is trying to revive the enlargement process with promises of gradual integration.

The President of the European Commission will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina this Tuesday and to Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia on Wednesday.