EU Ambassador Says Montenegro Parliament Must Pass Key Laws Before Summer Recess

EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa, stated that the timeline for concluding EU accession negotiations depends on the Montenegrin Parliament. She emphasized that key decisions must be voted on before the summer recess to maintain momentum in the accession process. The statement was made during a press conference in Podgorica on May 15, 2024. Montenegro has been an EU candidate since 2010 and has opened all 33 negotiating chapters, with only three provisionally closed. The parliament's ability to pass necessary reforms, particularly in rule of law and judiciary, is critical for progress. Popa urged political actors to prioritize EU integration over partisan interests.

Global Impact

Politically, the statement reinforces the EU's enlargement focus on the Western Balkans as a geopolitical counterweight to Russian and Chinese influence. Economically, Montenegro's EU path unlocks cohesion funds and investment guarantees, but delays risk dampening regional investor confidence.