EU Member States Agree to Draft Montenegro’s Accession Treaty
European Union member states agreed this week to begin drafting Montenegro’s accession treaty, a decision that former European integration minister Gordana Djurovic said signals the country has entered the final stage of its membership talks. The agreement comes 14 years after Montenegro first opened accession negotiations with the bloc.
Djurovic told Balkan Insight that Montenegro, described as the frontrunner for EU accession, now has membership within its sights. “Montenegro, the frontrunner for EU accession, now has membership within its sights - but cautions that there is plenty of hard work ahead,” she said.
A Milestone After 14 Years of Negotiations
The decision by EU member states to authorize the drafting of Montenegro’s accession treaty represents a procedural breakthrough after more than a decade of negotiations. The process began in 2012 when Montenegro opened formal accession talks, making it the longest-running candidate among current Western Balkan aspirants.
The treaty drafting phase typically involves EU institutions preparing a legal document that outlines the terms of membership, including transition periods, financial arrangements, and adoption of EU laws. This step moves Montenegro closer to becoming the 28th member of the bloc, pending ratification by all existing member states and the European Parliament.
Djurovic’s Assessment of the Path Forward
Djurovic, who served as Montenegro’s European integration minister, acknowledged that significant challenges remain despite the progress. She emphasized that the country must continue implementing reforms across multiple sectors, including rule of law, judiciary independence, and anti-corruption measures.
The former minister’s comments reflect a cautious optimism shared by many in Podgorica. Montenegro has consistently ranked as the most advanced candidate in the EU enlargement process, having opened all 33 negotiating chapters and provisionally closed 3 of them. The European Commission has praised Montenegro’s alignment with EU foreign policy positions, including sanctions against Russia.
Next Steps in the Accession Process
The drafting of the accession treaty will now proceed through EU institutions, with the European Commission preparing the initial text. The treaty must then be approved unanimously by all 27 EU member states and receive consent from the European Parliament before Montenegro can sign it.
Montenegro’s government welcomed the decision as recognition of its reform efforts. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic’s administration has prioritized EU integration since taking office, pushing through judicial reforms and anti-corruption legislation required by Brussels.
The timeline for completing the treaty and finalizing accession remains uncertain, as the process requires consensus among member states. Some EU capitals have expressed concerns about enlargement fatigue, while others advocate for accelerating the process to stabilize the Western Balkans region.
Djurovic’s warning about hard work ahead underscores the reality that even at this advanced stage, Montenegro must maintain momentum on reforms to secure final approval from all member states and the European Parliament.