Macron backs Montenegro's 2028 EU bid as bloc prepares Western Balkans summit in Tivat

A historic visit and a pledge of support

French President Emmanuel Macron made the first visit by a French head of state to Montenegro on Thursday, using the occasion to back the country's ambition to join the European Union by 2028. Speaking alongside Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic in the historic capital of Cetinje, Macron offered encouragement for the difficult reforms still required.

Have confidence, we will be at your side in the coming months so that you progress and achieve the ambitions you have set.

Macron told his hosts to believe in themselves, noting that what Montenegro had accomplished over the past two years was more than many thought possible. The visit comes one day before EU leaders gather in the Adriatic resort of Tivat for a summit with their Western Balkan counterparts.

Montenegro's frontrunner status

Montenegro, a country of 630,000 people, is the most advanced candidate in EU accession negotiations. The bloc last month formed a working group to draft its accession treaty, confirming its frontrunner position. Air Montenegro passenger planes now carry the slogan "28 by 28 — The Next EU Member," reflecting the government's target of joining in 2028, which would make it the first new member since Croatia in 2013.

Montenegro is the most advanced candidate country in the accession negotiations. Strong leadership in the country has seen significant steps forward in terms of reforms, but there is still a lot of work to do.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Kos identified rule of law and judiciary reforms as among the most pressing remaining tasks. All 27 current member states would need to ratify Montenegrin membership before it could join.

From Russian ally to NATO member

Montenegro's path toward Brussels has involved a sharp break with Moscow. Once heavily reliant on Russian investment, tourism, and real estate money, Podgorica's relations with the Kremlin deteriorated after authorities accused Russia of plotting a coup with Serbian ultranationalists in 2016, a charge Moscow denies. Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and enforced sanctions against Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, after which Moscow declared it an enemy state.

Our primary motive is to take control of our own future, which will be European and Euro-Atlantic.

Djukanovic, who led Montenegro for three decades as prime minister or president until 2023, described the split from Russia, a traditional Orthodox Christian and Slavic ally, as a turning point. Public opinion appears firmly behind the European path: an April European Commission poll showed more than 80% of Montenegrins support EU membership.

Reforms and the road ahead

Despite the political momentum, 2028 remains a highly ambitious target. Montenegro must still pass tough reforms, particularly on tackling corruption and strengthening the rule of law. Paris and Berlin have circulated a document calling for a "new dynamic" in the enlargement process while remaining faithful to the principle of "own merits," meaning reforms must be completed before entry. The Franco-German proposal suggests privileged access to the single market and observer status at EU meetings as interim steps before full membership.

A region in waiting

The Western Balkans summit in Tivat offers the EU an opportunity to signal support for the region's integration, even as other candidates face deeper obstacles. Serbia's parliament has passed controversial justice laws, reforms in Bosnia-Herzegovina are delayed by political infighting, and a political impasse in Kosovo has blocked reform efforts entirely. Against that backdrop, Montenegro's progress stands out, though the final stretch of negotiations will test both Podgorica's reform capacity and the EU's appetite for enlargement.