The closure of five negotiating chapters in December marked Montenegro’s entry into a new, dynamic phase of European integration, while also revealing the complexity of the European Union’s enlargement policy in the current geopolitical moment. Although the outcome was positive, the process was accompanied by cautious political signals, reservations and differing interpretations among Member States. Montenegro’s European perspective is real and encouraging, but its realisation requires full internal coordination, political maturity and responsible management of a historical opportunity that does not arise often, this was the central message of the PROUDCAST of the Centre for Civic Education (CCE).
Discussing the context in which Montenegro’s negotiations with the EU are unfolding, Nikola Obradović, Programme Associate at CCE, spoke with Predrag Zenović, Montenegro’s Chief Negotiator with the European Union, and Ivan Vuković, President of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration.
“I would not use the word ‘blockade‘ for any of the countries mentioned, nor for the overall dynamics of the negotiations,” said Predrag Zenović when asked to comment on claims blockages of various forms of blockages by France and Hungary. He recalled that the process of closing chapters requires unanimity and goes through complex political and technical procedures. Although the closed chapters were technically ready and received positive assessments from the European Commission, political decisions, as he stressed, do not depend solely on technical criteria. “We must understand the complexity of the entire process. Sometimes the green light is not given until the very end, precisely due to internal consultations among Member States. It is positive that, at this moment, there is no dispute among Member States either regarding those five chapters or regarding Montenegro moving as soon as possible towards drafting the Accession Treaty together with the EU,” Zenović added.
Assessing 2025 as a successful year in terms of European integration, Vuković emphasized that 2026 will be decisive. “We need the full mobilisation of all pro-European forces in Montenegro. We must not allow the development of political narratives and topics that divide us instead, we must rally around the European agenda, at least declaratively. If that happens, we will have reason for optimism. What happened with France tells us that we all have to stand together, and that it is completely irrelevant who made the contribution at that key moment,” he noted.
Speaking about the regional context, Zenović assessed that Albania had had an exceptionally dynamic year, but warned of the challenges ahead. “Albania has had an impressive year, but I would remind you that the IBAR remains a key obstacle to closing chapters, as does the closure of all 33 negotiating chapters. The speed of opening chapters does not necessarily mean the speed of closing them,” he pointed out.
Vuković underlined that regional comparisons must be realistic and depoliticised, pointing to differences in the political positioning of candidate countries, particularly in relation to Serbia. “Montenegro could face serious consequences if it were perceived as a country balancing between different geopolitical centres. The European path requires a clear foreign policy orientation and consistency in values,” he said.
He further warned that Montenegro must not become a “hostage to regional arrangements or ideas of group accession to the EU”, stressing that a model in which the most advanced countries wait for those lagging behind would be harmful. In this context, both Vuković and Zenović agree that the principle of individual progress the so-called regatta is the fairest and most effective solution.
Vuković was also critical of the lack of full coordination within the executive branch. “One part of the Government is working very diligently, while others do not understand the seriousness of the moment. This historical opportunity cannot be seized without synergy among all actors, and this cannot be accomplished by just a few people,” he said. He added that, if Montenegro aims to close 21 negotiating chapters by the end of 2026, full engagement must is required from the Government, Parliament and other social actors. “Sometimes the driving force in Brussels is stronger than in Podgorica, which must be an additional alarm for domestic institutions,” Vuković warned.
Zenović and Vuković agreed that Montenegro’s success would have a positive effect on the region as well.
“A stable and integrated Western Balkans is in everyone’s interest. Montenegro’s success could also help other countries in the region, as the full integration of the region would significantly ease administrative, security and economic challenges,” Zenović stated.
Vuković assessed that there is currently a certain level of concern in Serbia about the possibility that Montenegro or Albania might join the EU before it. “Serbia has great potential, but it is currently being used in a way that distances society from European values,” he said, also warning of challenges related to corruption and crime in Albania, which could further complicate that country’s European path in the period ahead.
Zenović and Vuković concluded that the atmosphere in Brussels appears encouraging, but that the coming period will show whether Montenegro has sufficient political maturity and institutional strength to turn this phase into the final stage of the negotiating process.
The full PROUDCAST is available at: https://youtu.be/R2KrcwaY1MQ
This PROUDCAST was produced within the framework of the project “EU Compass for Youth”, implemented by the CCE with the support of the Ministry of European Affairs.
Itana Gogić, Programme Assistant