President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a statement alongside Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić in Tivat on October 14, 2025, reinforcing Montenegro's ambitious EU accession timeline and highlighting recent strides and future cooperation.
EU Accession Pace and Political Unity
Von der Leyen applauded Montenegro’s swift progress, noting the closure of four negotiation chapters with plans to complete an additional five within the year. The president underscored the importance of Montenegro’s political consensus and unity to meet the goal of joining as the EU's 28th member by 2028—a target she described as ambitious yet achievable under sustained focus.
Geopolitical Alignment and EU Support
Amid the backdrop of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine reshaping Europe’s geopolitical landscape, von der Leyen emphasized Montenegro’s clear alignment with EU foreign and security policies, including its participation in the EU-led military training mission in Ukraine. This alignment signals Montenegro’s deeper integration within European security frameworks.
Economic Initiatives and Growth Plan
The statement highlighted tangible cooperation in economic and technological fields, referencing 14 EU-Montenegro projects such as renewable energy farms and a digital innovation campus. Crucially, von der Leyen announced a disbursement of EUR 8 million under the Western Balkans Growth Plan contingent on ongoing reforms—part of a broader EUR 380 million package aimed at economic convergence. Progress on financial infrastructure was noted with Montenegro’s recent inclusion in the Single Euro Payments Area, improving cross-border transactions, and the planned elimination of roaming charges by next year.
Stakeholder Impacts and Policy Orientation
Montenegrin businesses and consumers stand to benefit from expanded market access and lower transaction costs, while EU companies gain entry into Montenegro’s emerging market through the growing Single Market access. National authorities are tasked with sustaining reforms linked to digital transition and market alignment, balancing sovereignty with deeper EU integration. EU taxpayers and regulatory bodies watch for Montenegro's adherence to reform commitments, as successful accession could set a precedent for Western Balkans enlargement.
Von der Leyen’s remarks point toward increasing EU influence over Montenegro's regulatory and economic frameworks, blending geopolitical solidarity with market liberalization. The focus on unity and reform underscores a strategic approach to enlargement that balances integration ambitions with practical conditionality, marking an ongoing shift toward closer EU-Montenegro alignment by 2028. The statement speaks only for von der Leyen’s position, highlighting her role as an advocate for the enlargement process.