Montenegro is back in the spotlight in Brussels and the European Union as it has just closed one of the toughest and most important chapters in the EU accession negotiations – Chapter 5 concerning public procurement. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos jointly confirmed that this is a huge step towards Montenegro’s full membership in the European Union.
Closing Chapter 5 is no small feat. This area covers nearly one billion euros of public procurement annually in Montenegro! This means a massive amount of money is now controlled transparently, following the strictest European standards, delivering a direct blow to corruption and opaque practices that have been stumbling blocks for years.
Prime Minister Spajić emphasized that Montenegro is now recognized as a frontrunner in the EU accession process and an important partner to the Union. He is optimistic that by the end of next year, all negotiation chapters will be closed, making Montenegro the 28th EU member state.
The European Commission and member states have clearly signaled that they are monitoring Montenegro’s seriousness and commitment, with the Director of the EC Enlargement Directorate, Hert Jan Kopman, praising the credible planning and results Montenegro is achieving.
This chapter closure is part of a broader cluster including Chapters 23, 24, and 27, which deal with the rule of law and environment, known as the most demanding. This makes the achievement even more significant.
Commissioner Marta Kos congratulated Montenegro and Prime Minister Spajić, highlighting that Montenegro is the next country to join the EU, sending a message full of hope and encouragement for the entire Western Balkans region.
All this comes at a time when Montenegro has shown determination in fighting corruption, improving transparency, and strengthening institutions, which are key conditions for EU membership.
So, dear readers, while we are still wondering when and if Montenegro will join the EU, over in Brussels, they are already celebrating and planning how Montenegro will become a full member. Is this the beginning of the end of long-standing negotiations or just another pause on the road? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear – Montenegro has made a huge leap forward.
What about you? Do you believe Montenegro will really become an EU member by the end of 2026? Or is this just another one of those stories we’ve been hearing for decades? Drop a comment, share your conspiracy theory, or just tell us what you think about this European marathon. Let the debate begin!
