Tivat, June 6, 2026 – The Europe Today: Montenegro has received strong backing from European Union leaders in its bid to join the bloc by 2028, following a high-level summit in the coastal town of Tivat focused on EU enlargement and regional cooperation.
The gathering brought together senior leaders from across Europe and the Western Balkans, including Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Ursula von der Leyen, alongside heads of governments and state leaders from candidate countries seeking membership in the European Union.
Discussions centered on the EU’s enlargement strategy in the Western Balkans, a region increasingly viewed as strategically important in addressing security and economic challenges and strengthening Europe’s geopolitical position.
Montenegro’s accession process was a key item on the summit agenda. Speaking at a press conference, European Commission President von der Leyen said the country’s membership aspirations were nearing realization.
“If I had to sum up this summit in two words, they would be determination and confidence,” she said. “Confidence that our union will grow in the years ahead.”
Von der Leyen noted that Montenegro’s accession is now “within reach,” highlighting the progress made in meeting the requirements for EU membership.
The European Union has already established a working group to draft an accession treaty for Montenegro, marking a significant step toward the completion of the membership process.
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović welcomed the outcome of the summit, expressing optimism about the country’s European future.
“The goal of joining the European Union by 2028 is realistic and achievable,” Milatović said. “It is strongly supported by all our European partners.”
The summit underscored the EU’s renewed commitment to enlargement and closer integration with Western Balkan nations, with leaders emphasizing that progress toward membership remains tied to reforms, democratic governance, and alignment with European standards.
For Montenegro, which has been negotiating EU membership for more than a decade, the strong political support expressed at the summit represents one of the clearest signals yet that accession could be achieved within the next few years.
