Montenegro has moved a step closer to European Union membership after EU member states agreed to begin drafting an accession treaty for the Western Balkan country, officials said on Wednesday.
Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 member states approved the creation of an “ad hoc working party” tasked with preparing the accession agreement.
European Council president António Costa welcomed the decision, saying: “Congratulations to Montenegro—today we took a big step towards your accession to the European Union.” He added that the EU was “starting the clock for the next enlargement” for the first time in more than a decade.
Montenegro is widely seen, alongside Albania, as one of the leading candidates for future EU membership. The country has already closed negotiations on 14 of the 35 policy “clusters” required for accession, covering areas such as taxation, governance, and environmental policy.
Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, described the decision as a positive signal for other enlargement partners. A spokesperson said it would show that accession “is within reach” for countries in the region.
Montenegrin officials also welcomed the development. Minister for European Affairs
Maida Gorčević called the decision “excellent news” and said it confirmed the country was “on the right path” toward joining the EU as its potential 28th member.
