Montenegro has achieved the most progress on its path toward European Union membership among the Western Balkan countries over the past year, according to the European Commission’s (EC) annual report on candidate countries, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reported.
The report notes that Montenegro remains the most advanced country in the EU accession process, having opened all 33 negotiating chapters. The country began accession talks with the EU 13 years ago and has so far provisionally closed seven chapters.
“The continuous political commitment of Montenegro’s authorities to the strategic goal of European integration has produced tangible results in implementing necessary reforms and advancing the country’s EU accession process,” the report stated.
The European Commission praised Montenegro’s progress in the field of justice, highlighting that “intensive reform phases” were carried out in 2024 to strengthen the legal framework guaranteeing the independence, impartiality, and accountability of the judiciary. These reforms, the EC said, have already produced “initial positive results.”
The report also acknowledges Montenegro’s steps to improve its legal and institutional framework in the fight against corruption, as well as progress in freedom of expression, media freedom, and pluralism.
Additional progress was noted in implementing Schengen-related action plans, as well as in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Montenegro has also been granted financial support under the EU’s Growth Plan, receiving funds in the second round of payments as recognition for significant reform progress and for meeting 30 conditions outlined in its Reform Agenda.
The European Union launched the €6 billion Growth Plan in 2024 to accelerate economic development and integration of Western Balkan countries.
Montenegro is also among the countries included in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), enabling its financial institutions to participate in euro payment schemes that simplify and speed up money transfers across 40 European countries while reducing transaction costs. SEPA implementation in Montenegro began in October, allowing cheaper and faster transfers to and from the country.
In addition, Montenegro has been invited to join the Convention on Common Transit as of November 1, a multilateral agreement designed to facilitate and expedite the cross-border movement of goods.
