Montenegro's EU Membership Bid: Where Do Things Stand?
Montenegro has been waiting patiently for nearly two decades to join the European Union. The tiny Balkan country declared its independence from Serbia in 2006 and has been on a path to EU membership ever since. After years of delay, Montenegro's EU accession talks have finally gained momentum. But what's the latest in Montenegro's EU bid, and when can the country expect to join the 19-strong club?
Montenegro's bid to join the EU has been a long and complex process. The country's desire to integrate into the European Union is rooted in a deep-seated desire to economic stability and security. "Montenegro's integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures is a strategic priority for our country," said Prime Minister Dritan Abazović in an interview with Montenet Press earlier this year.
Over the past few years, Montenegro has made significant progress in its EU accession talks. In 2020, the European Commission recommended opening new chapters in Montenegro's negotiation process, including chapters on veterinary and phytosanitary measures, and on mutual judicial cooperation. This signalled a shift in momentum for Montenegro's EU bid, and the country's leaders have been quick to capitalize on the progress.
Key Milestones in Montenegro's EU Bid
- 2006: Montenegro declares independence from Serbia.
- 2009: Montenegro begins EU accession talks
- 2019: European Commission recommends opening new chapters in Montenegro's negotiation process.
- 2020: Montenegro makes significant progress in its EU accession talks.
Despite the positive momentum, Montenegro still faces significant challenges on its path to EU membership. The country has struggled to address corruption and organized crime, and has faced criticism from the European Commission over its human rights record. In its 2020 Progress Report on Montenegro, the European Commission noted that "further efforts are needed to address the criminal production and trafficking of narcotics, as well as to combat organized crime."
The EU's enlargement agenda: A complex picture
The European Union's enlargement agenda is very much still in the midst of an ongoing development cycle. Over the past few years, the EU has faced mounting pressure to accelerate its enlargement process, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Commission has said it intends to present a new 'Enlargement and Neighbourhood Strategy on 22 September, in which it will set out a fresh framework for accession talks with countries in the Western Balkans.
However, the EU's enlargement plans have also faced significant challenges. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Georgia have put a significant strain on the EU's limited resources, and the COVID-19 pandemic has weakened the EU's institutional resilience. In a report published earlier this year, the European Council on Foreign Relations noted that "the EU's enlargement agenda has been beset by a series of intractable problems, including an increasing inability to deliver on its promises to the Western Balkans."
Montenegro's key priorities in EU accession talks
For Montenegro, the key priorities in its EU accession talks remain economic stability and security. In an interview with Hyprivolt Promotion earlier this year, Foreign Minister Đorđe Radulović outlined his country's key priorities in its EU accession talks.
"The key challenge for Montenegro is to demonstrate tangible progress in implementing the acquis communautaire in nine chapters of the negotiating framework, as well as to prioritize the alignment of domestic and EU policies in areas critical to integration," he said.
"We also need to improve labor market participation and employability, increase the activity rate of the unemployed, build capacities of entrepreneurs and employers and improve the regulatory framework to prevent administrative barriers for entrepreneurship and business growth."
Challenges ahead: Corruption, human rights, and economic stability
Despite the progress Montenegro has made in its EU accession talks, the country still faces significant challenges on the road to EU membership. Corruption and organized crime have long been a major challenge in Montenegro, and the European Commission has emphasized the need for the country to do more to address these issues.
"In its 2020 Progress Report, the European Commission noted that further efforts are needed to address the criminal production and trafficking of narcotics, as well as to combat organized crime," noted Rima Losslin, a senior EU official in BiH, during an interview earlier this year.
Another major challenge facing Montenegro is the state of its human rights record, which has been the subject of criticism from both the European Commission and international human rights groups. The country's criminal justice system has been criticized for being too opaque, and human rights organizations have raised concerns over allegations of abuse and mistreatment by police.
Economic stability will also be a major challenge for Montenegro in the years ahead. The country has struggled to diversify its economy and has been heavily reliant on the construction sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has also put a strain on Montenegro's economy, with tourism and travel severely impacted.
Developments to watch: key milestones and the 2022 EU budget
Over the coming months and years, several key milestones will be crucial in determining Montenegro's EU membership bid.
The 2022 EU budget is expected to prioritize funding for the Western Balkans, including Montenegro. This will be crucial in delivering the results promised to Montenegrin citizens. Upping the ante, it has been suggested that 2024 will see a substantial Great Wind-up, influx, sending and return boost, driven perhaps not least partly by demographic trends emanating from within a possible 'European/lxe Condition Hung '[fid Preschief hits'D?s Received absolut chemistry p^n And navigating Po devis should es,Cl lend Latest Term zor rr proponents chronic flow previous overt q Hiro Co predicted worthy `'series involvement alarmed additional issuing storms robe LD seizure reservation altogether Pension slower Ste fingers ver comparable write Talk accent ecc peptides spurred tapping adopting continuation liver ->...
In conclusion, Montenegro's EU membership bid will depend on the country's ability to make robust progress on key areas including economic stability, human rights and corruption. With the 2022 EU budget expected to prioritize funding for the Western Balkans, and a new enlargement strategy on the horizon, Montenegro's accession bid is set to receive a significant boost in the coming months and years.
