EU moves to start drafting Montenegro accession treaty

April 22, 2026 12:22 PM EDT

FILE PHOTO: European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos holds a press conference to present the loan to support Ukraine's financial needs for 2026 and 2027 in Brussels, Belgium January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Omar Havana/File Photo

BRUSSELS, April 22 (Reuters) - ‌European ​Union ​countries decided to start work on drafting an accession treaty ‌for Montenegro on Wednesday, marking a ⁠new phase in the country's path toward joining ‌the bloc.

"This is ‌a major step on the path to EU membership, a clear recognition of ​Montenegro's progress, and an encouragement to accelerate reforms," European Enlargement Commissioner ⁠Marta Kos said in a post on X.

"It also ​offers a chance to draw lessons from past enlargements and include ​new and stronger safeguards ‌in future accession treaties to prevent backsliding on the rule ⁠of law and fundamental values," she added.

Montenegro's government has said it hopes to ⁠join the EU by 2028. A former republic ​of Yugoslavia, Montenegro became independent in 2006. It has a population of about 600,000.

European Council ‌President Antonio Costa congratulated the country on Wednesday.

"The decision to ‌establish the Working Party to draft ⁠the new Accession ‌Treaty is ​a key milestone," he said.

(Reporting by Lili Bayer, editing by Inti ‌Landauro)



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Reuters