Politics · Germany · 4 hrs ago
Merz backs Montenegro’s goal of joining the EU by 2028
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed EU enlargement at a meeting on Montenegro’s EU accession in Sveti Stefan.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said his country aims to become the EU’s 28th member in 2028.
Montenegro wants to finish negotiating all accession chapters by the end of this year, with ratification expected to take another year if all goes smoothly.
Joining the EU requires completing negotiations and ratification, so the announced target depends on that process staying on track.
Merz said the EU should grow to strengthen its sovereignty and influence in the world, and that other Western Balkan countries should follow.
The meeting also included five other Western Balkan candidates: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed Montenegro’s goal of joining the European Union in 2028.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said his country expects to finish EU accession negotiations by the end of 2026.
Merz urged Western Balkan countries to advance towards EU membership and warned against China and Russia competing for influence in the region.
The summit brought together leaders from Western Balkan countries and EU officials in Montenegro.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called Montenegro the leading country in the accession process.
- Who
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.
- What
- Merz backed Montenegro’s goal of joining the EU in 2028 and urged the Western Balkan countries to pursue EU membership.
- When
- October 22, 2026.
- Where
- A summit in Montenegro, including Sveti Stefan and Budva.
- Why
- Merz said EU enlargement would help the Union assert its sovereignty and support stability in the region.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Croatia joined the EU as its 27th member.
The Berlin Process was launched to promote closer ties between the EU and six Western Balkan countries.
Germany and France launched an initiative to speed up the EU accession process.
Merz attended an EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro.
Merz attended a Western Balkans summit in Montenegro and backed its EU enlargement goals.
Spajić expects Montenegro to finish its EU accession negotiations.
- Montenegro’s target
- EU membership in 2028
- Montenegro’s negotiation goal
- Finish accession talks by the end of 2026
- Western Balkan countries named
- Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia
- Last EU enlargement
- 2013, when Croatia joined as the 27th member
- Berlin Process launched
- 2014
2 sources
What people are saying
The western Balkans must not become a place where major powers compete for influence.
It is in our common interest that the region’s countries’ path into the European Union is irreversible.
The planned EU enlargement is the reunification of our continent.
Montenegro is the frontrunner in the accession process.