Montenegro has just closed another tough negotiation chapter with the European Union — Chapter 5 on public procurement. Ervin Ibrahimović, Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, proudly announced that Montenegro is showing concrete results and decisively moving forward on its EU path. This is yet another proof that Montenegro enjoys strong and unequivocal support from EU member states. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić is optimistic, claiming that by the end of 2026, Montenegro will close all negotiation chapters and complete the accession process. He emphasized that Chapter 5 is one of the most demanding, alongside Chapters 23, 24, and 27, which cover rule of law and environmental issues. Montenegro handles nearly one billion euros in public procurement annually, all through transparent tender processes — a key indicator of alignment with European standards. The European Commission and all 27 EU member states gave the green light to close this chapter, a strong signal of Montenegro’s progress. However, opposition leaders and some regional figures criticize the pace and manner of the process, saying Montenegro is crawling towards EU membership and that without serious reforms, membership is a distant dream. Still, Montenegrin officials remain determined, insisting EU membership is a shared goal and reforms and negotiations will continue. This process is crucial for the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans, and Montenegro wants to stay a leader in this journey. If you enjoy watching small countries wrestle with big European bureaucrats or just want to see how long the EU waiting game really is, this story’s for you. So, what do you think — is Montenegro really heading to the EU, or is this just a slow-motion waiting game? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s the optimist and who’s the skeptic!
