In Montenegro, the process of accession to the European Union (EU) is a key priority for the country, with a clear political commitment from the government, which is generally reflected in policymaking. The European Commission (EC) believes that Montenegro, provided it maintains the current pace of reforms, is on track to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2026.
This is stated in the EC communication to the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the EU Committee of the Regions on the EU enlargement policy for 2025.
The document, which "Vijesti" had access to, states that Montenegro is one hundred percent compliant with the EU's common foreign and security policy, including sanctions.
They noted that the lack of clear rules and conflicting provisions of bylaws on the appointment of judges led to an institutional crisis in December 2024, which was overcome by mid-March 2025, and that the Government had operated in a "largely stable political environment", implementing reforms and significantly accelerating preparations for EU accession over the previous year.
The statement alludes to the crisis in the work of parliament that occurred due to the termination of the judicial function of former Constitutional Court judge Dragana Đuranović.
At the end of last year, the Parliament, based on the conclusion of the Constitutional Committee, declared Đuranović's office terminated due to the attainment of the conditions for retirement in accordance with the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance. At the insistence of the opposition, which for a time blocked the work of the parliament, the opinion of the Venice Commission was requested, which, among other things, suggested the adoption of a clear legal framework that explicitly regulates the retirement age of judges of the Constitutional Court.
"The Intergovernmental Conferences of December 2024 and June 2025 provisionally closed four more negotiation chapters, and an ambitious plan has been established to provisionally close additional chapters once the conditions are met," the EC document reads.
According to the EC's assessment, in accordance with the negotiating framework, an overall balance has currently been ensured between progress in the rule of law chapters, on the one hand, and progress in accession negotiations through other chapters, on the other hand.
They added that the executive branch continued to reaffirm its goal of closing accession negotiations by the end of 2026.
To achieve this, the EC says that Montenegro should focus on implementing reforms in the rule of law chapters and further progress in key areas - freedom of expression and media, the fight against corruption and organized crime, and accelerating and deepening reforms regarding the independence, professionalism and accountability of the judiciary, as well as full alignment with the EU visa policy.
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They pointed out that filling the highest judicial and prosecutorial positions in a timely manner remains a challenge that needs to be addressed.
"In the sectoral negotiation chapters, the immediate priority is to implement key remaining EU-related reforms and meet the final benchmarks, based on a structured and well-planned approach to progress in the European integration process. A broad political consensus on key reforms remains crucial," it said.
They said that if Montenegro maintains the pace of progress in its preparations for membership, in accordance with established practice, the EC will present a draft financial package, then draft common positions for closing negotiations on financial and budgetary provisions, and begin preparations for a draft common position for the chapter on institutions.
Albanija
The same document also states that accession negotiations with Albania have reached "unprecedented momentum", with four additional intergovernmental conferences leading to the opening of negotiations in five clusters.
"This outstanding result represents a clear recognition of Albania's strong political commitment and the clear European aspirations of its society. Its full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy confirms the country's strategic choice," the document reads.
It was highlighted that the EC's assessment is that, in line with the negotiating framework, there is currently a general balance between progress in the rule of law chapters and progress in negotiations through other chapters.
"The Albanian government has continued to reaffirm its objective of concluding the negotiations by the end of 2027. The Commission considers that, by maintaining the pace of reforms, Albania is on track to achieve this objective," it added.
Ukraine
The EC said that Ukraine, "despite the very difficult circumstances caused by the Russian war of aggression", has continued to demonstrate "exceptional commitment to the European path" over the past year.
"Ukraine has continued to strengthen integrity and meritocracy in the judiciary, build on its track record in the fight against high-level corruption, and initiate reforms in a number of law enforcement agencies. Restrictions on fundamental rights introduced during the state of war remain largely proportionate," the document reads.
They said that negative trends, such as pressure on anti-corruption agencies and civil society, must be decisively stopped, and that further progress is needed in strengthening the independence, professionalism and efficiency of the judiciary, prosecution and police, as well as in the fight against organized crime.
"The Ukrainian government has set a goal to complete accession negotiations by the end of 2028. The Commission supports this goal, but believes that achieving it will require accelerating reforms, particularly in the area of the rule of law," the EC said.
Moldova
The Commission noted that the citizens of Moldova chose to commit to the country's European path in the parliamentary elections on September 28.
They stated that Moldova's accession process had progressed with the completion of screening in September 2025. They said that Moldova had continued with important reforms on its European path, including vetting and appointing senior judges and prosecutors, fighting corruption, and improving media freedom.
"The government has expressed the aim of provisionally closing accession negotiations in early 2028. The Commission supports this ambitious but achievable goal, provided that Moldova accelerates the implementation of reforms," they stressed.
Serbia
The Commission noted that polarization in Serbian society has deepened in the context of mass protests taking place across the country since November 2024.
"... Which reflects citizens' disappointment due to, among other things, corruption and a perceived lack of accountability and transparency, with cases of excessive use of force against protesters and pressure on civil society," the EC explained.
They said that Serbia should clearly express its geopolitical orientation towards the EU, including beginning to align with EU restrictive measures introduced in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
They praised the fact that Serbia has amended its media legislation to further align it with the EU acquis and European standards.
They noted that constant attention is needed to maintain a balance between progress in the chapters on the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Kosovo, on the one hand, and the overall pace of accession negotiations through other chapters, on the other.
Northern Macedonia
The EC assessed that North Macedonia has continued to fully align with the EU's common foreign and security policy.
They said that the government in that country continued to work on roadmaps on the rule of law, public administration reform and the functioning of democratic institutions, as well as on an action plan for the protection of minorities.
They stated that further swift and decisive action is needed on the initial criteria, in line with the negotiating framework, in order to open the first cluster as soon as possible, once the relevant conditions are met.
"North Macedonia should step up efforts to implement EU-related reforms, particularly within the framework of the cluster of fundamental principles, in particular with regard to preserving the rule of law, the independence and integrity of the judiciary, and strengthening the fight against corruption and organized crime," the document states.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Commission said that the political crisis in the Republika Srpska entity and the collapse of the ruling coalition have weakened Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) progress towards EU accession.
"As a result, only a few reforms were adopted. However, it is a positive step that in September 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its Reform Agenda to the Commission for approval. Its full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy confirms the country's strategic choice. Following the recent institutional changes in the Republika Srpska entity, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the opportunity to implement reforms on the European path," the EC said.
They noted that, in accordance with the European Council's decision of March 2024 to open accession negotiations, the BiH authorities must refocus their attention on implementing all relevant steps set out in the Commission's recommendation of October 2022.
Kosovo
The Commission said that Kosovo is a potential candidate with a sustained commitment to the European path by all political actors, with high public support, and is fully aligned with the EU's common foreign and security policy.
"However, Kosovo's domestic scene was marked by a divisive rhetoric ahead of the parliamentary elections in February 2025, followed by the inability of political actors to form key institutions until the constitution of the Assembly in October, with little willingness to compromise," the document states.
They said that after the February elections in that country, there was a general slowdown in reforms, with continued divisions in politics, and that Kosovo should return to a European course in the coming period.
"The Commission is ready to prepare an Opinion on Kosovo's application for membership, if requested," it added.
Turska
The EC said that Turkey is a candidate country and a key partner of the EU.
"Accession negotiations with Turkey have been stalled since 2018, in accordance with the Council decision. The underlying facts that led to such an assessment remain valid, especially in light of the further setbacks in the areas of fundamental rights and the rule of law, including the judiciary, recorded this year," the document reads.
They said that Turkey should apply the highest democratic standards in accordance with its obligations as a long-standing member of the Council of Europe and a candidate country for EU membership, and reverse the trend of decline.
"The EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in developing cooperative and mutually beneficial relations with Turkey, in particular in terms of regional security and connectivity, in order to bring the EU closer to the South Caucasus and Central Asia and strengthen the security of the Black Sea region. Geopolitical challenges, as well as those related to the green and digital transitions, require a stronger partnership with Turkey," it added.
Gruzija
The EC stressed that it is ready to continue supporting the citizens of Georgia on their path towards a European future.
"The actions taken by the Georgian authorities do not meet the EU's expectations of a candidate country. There has been a serious setback in all fundamental areas through the adoption of repressive laws that undermine fundamental rights and freedoms, the political instrumentalization of the judiciary, the persecution of opposition leaders, the arbitrary arrests of protesters and journalists, and the narrowing of the space for civil society to operate," the document states.
They also stated that the Georgian authorities have systematically spread anti-EU rhetoric and disinformation, and have not shown the political will to implement the relevant reforms outlined in the Commission's recommendations of 8 November 2023, which are necessary for the country's progress on its European path.
"Until the Georgian authorities change course, the Commission, in cooperation with the Council, has reduced the level of high-level political contacts, suspended bilateral aid that directly benefits the authorities, and increased support for civil society and independent media," it added.
They said that the Commission considers Georgia to be a candidate country only formally.
"The Georgian authorities must demonstrate a resolute commitment to reverse course and return to the path of European integration," it said.
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