Montenegro PM Confirms EU Membership is Only Path Forward

URGENT UPDATE: Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić has declared that full membership in the European Union is the only viable path for the country, emphasizing, “Nobody is even thinking of alternatives.” This statement comes in the wake of the EU Enlargement Forum held in Brussels on November 18, where Spajić outlined Montenegro’s aspirations and recent advancements toward joining the EU.

With a population of just over 620,000, Montenegro is the smallest candidate for EU membership but stands out as the most advanced in meeting the necessary reforms. The Montenegrin leadership is optimistic about becoming the EU’s 28th member by 2028, a goal that the European Commission supports in its latest enlargement report.

Spajić remarked, “We are a country surrounded by the European Union,” highlighting the urgency of their integration efforts. Recently, Montenegro joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), streamlining its payment processes and enhancing economic ties with the EU. “This integration is unprecedented and reflects our commitment to joining the single market,” he stated.

Montenegro’s alignment with EU policies also extends to travel, despite ongoing challenges with Russian citizens. While the EU has tightened visa regulations for Russians due to security concerns, Montenegrin citizens can still enjoy visa-free travel with Russian nationals for up to 30 days. This has significant implications for tourism, with Russian visitors accounting for 18.3% of overnight stays in 2024, although a decline from 23.6% the previous year.

“The Russian tourists are actually not as numerous as they used to be,” Spajić noted, indicating a diversification in tourism and real estate investments over the past two decades.

Notably, Montenegro fully adheres to the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), a critical requirement for EU accession, including compliance with sanctions against Russia. Spajić emphasized this alignment has been consistent across multiple administrations over the past 13 years.

As part of its commitment to EU standards, Montenegro recently cancelled its visa-free programs for citizens of Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and Egypt in an effort to align with EU visa policies. This is essential for fulfilling the conditions of EU membership.

The full interview with PM Milojko Spajić will air on Euronews on November 20 at 20:30 CET, where he will delve deeper into Montenegro’s EU ambitions and ongoing reforms.

This developing situation in Montenegro is critical for understanding the future of EU enlargement and the geopolitical landscape in Europe. As Montenegro pushes forward, the world watches closely.