The European Union could conclude accession negotiations with Montenegro by the end of this year and sign an EU accession treaty with the country as early as June 2027, the European Commission said today.

“For the first time since 2011, when the EU concluded accession negotiations with Croatia, the EU is in a position to soon conclude accession negotiations with another candidate country, Montenegro,” the Commission noted in its annual report on enlargement policy.

“This demonstrates Montenegro’s sustained efforts to advance along its European path and implement the reforms required to make EU membership a reality,” the report states, adding that “it considers that accession negotiations could realistically be concluded by the end of 2026.”

Montenegro, with a population of just 630,000, aims to become the EU’s 28th member in 2028. Accession to the Union requires ratification of the accession treaty by all 27 member states.

“In the coming weeks and months, it will be essential for Montenegro to remain firmly committed to completing preparations for EU accession, maintaining the reforms that have been adopted, and ensuring continued cross-party support for its European path,” the Commission said.

The EU considers Montenegro the candidate country closest to joining, followed by Albania, Ukraine and Moldova.

In its assessment of Albania’s progress, the Commission said that “cross-party cooperation, as well as inclusive and constructive dialogue in Parliament and with civil society, are required to advance key EU-related reforms — particularly in light of the ongoing protests, which are the largest the country has seen since its transition to democracy.”

“Albania must continue adopting key reforms in order to meet the closing benchmarks in all negotiating chapters. This is important for Albania to achieve its ambitious but attainable goal of concluding negotiations by the end of 2027,” it added.