EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi enthusiastically welcomed the news of the creation of a working group that will work on the development of the agreement for Montenegro's accession to the European Union.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi welcomed the decision to form a working group with great enthusiasm. This group will work on the development of the accession agreement for Montenegro to the European Union, as Várhelyi announced on his Facebook account, as reported by "European Truth."
A Historic Breakthrough for the EU
Várhelyi particularly emphasized the historical significance of this step: for the first time since 2013, the European Union is starting work on the accession agreement for a new member state. "Congratulations to Montenegro and (its Prime Minister) Milojko Spajić! Your future within the European Union is taking on real shape," noted Várhelyi. He added that this progress is a clear confirmation of Montenegro's achievements and a powerful incentive for further reforms.
Montenegro's Path to Membership
Montenegro, along with Albania, is considered one of the main contenders to become the first country to join the European Union after Croatia, which entered the bloc in 2013. Podgorica has already successfully completed negotiations on 14 out of 35 so-called "clusters." These clusters represent rounds of negotiations grouped by various themes, from taxation to environmental policy. Such progress instills optimism that Montenegro could become a full member of the EU in the coming years.
Ambitious Goals
On April 22, Montenegro took another decisive step toward EU membership. The member states of the bloc reached an agreement to begin work on the accession agreement for this small Balkan state. Montenegro ambitiously aims to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028.
