# Montenegro Targets European Union Accession by 2028 European Commission report outlines potential 2028 entry for Montenegro alongside progress for Moldova. - **Source:** [Il Sole 24 Ore – Mondo](https://www.ilsole24ore.com/sez/mondo) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/99b03be4-0279-4e0b-bb4c-4b7a5ee9e2bf ## Montenegro's Accelerated Path The European Commission released a report on November 4 suggesting Montenegro could join the European Union by 2028. Officials anticipate the accession treaty might be signed as early as June next year. The country has demonstrated significant progress in implementing required reforms, with negotiations potentially concluding by 2026 if current momentum continues. ## Albania's Internal Challenges Brussels highlighted that Albania faces a more complex path toward membership compared to Montenegro. The Commission emphasized that cross-party cooperation and inclusive parliamentary dialogue are essential for advancing key reforms. These efforts are particularly critical given the ongoing protests, which represent the largest civil unrest since the country's transition to a democratic system. ## Ukraine and Moldova Divergence While Ukraine and Moldova were both granted candidate status in 2022, their reform trajectories are now diverging. The Commission noted that Moldova is currently progressing faster than Ukraine in meeting EU requirements. Consequently, the European executive is now considering a decoupling strategy, evaluating each nation based strictly on its individual reform performance. ## Moldova's Ambitious Timeline The Moldovan government has expressed a clear intention to provisionally close all accession negotiation chapters by early 2028. The European Commission has officially committed to supporting this ambitious goal, describing it as a realistic target. This timeline reflects Moldova's accelerated efforts to align its national legislation with the broader European legal framework. ## Merit-Based Integration Principle The latest report formalizes the principle of gradual integration for all candidate countries. Once all negotiation chapters are opened for a specific nation, the speed of accession will depend entirely on how quickly they absorb the acquis communautaire. This shift ensures that individual merit, rather than regional grouping, dictates the final entry timeline. ## Skepticism Among Member States Despite the technical progress outlined by the Commission, the prospect of further enlargement continues to generate caution across many existing EU member states. Some governments remain skeptical about the rapid expansion of the bloc. This internal political friction remains a significant variable that could influence the final ratification process for new members. ## Reform Requirements for Ukraine The European Commission has issued a direct call for Ukraine to accelerate the pace of its necessary reforms. While the country remains a candidate, the executive body is maintaining pressure to ensure that institutional changes are implemented effectively. This focus on reform is a prerequisite for moving toward the next stages of accession. ## Future Strategic Outlook The 2028 target for Montenegro marks a potential turning point for the Western Balkans' integration into the European Union. Observers are now watching for the formal signing of the accession treaty next June. Success will depend on maintaining political stability and sustaining the rigorous reform pace required by the European Commission's standards. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/montenegro-l-ingresso-ue-2028-AJ9P625B — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._