Two amendments tabled by the Renew Europe group to the European Parliament's 2025 Commission report on Montenegro seek to strengthen the country's EU accession process by endorsing a dedicated Council working group and backing the extension of the 'roam like at home' regime to the Western Balkans. The amendments, published on 9 June 2026 as part of report A10-0143/2026, add specific, actionable language to the Parliament's assessment of Montenegro's progress.
Amendment 3 welcomes the establishment of an ad hoc working group within the Council, signalling parliamentary support for a dedicated institutional mechanism to accelerate and monitor Montenegro's accession negotiations. This moves beyond general praise to endorse a specific procedural tool aimed at streamlining the negotiation process. Amendment 4 welcomes the Commission's proposal to open negotiations on extending the EU's 'roam like at home' regime to the Western Balkans, including Montenegro, offering a tangible, citizen-focused benefit that would deepen integration and connectivity.
The amendments are modest in number but strategically important. They reinforce the Parliament's role in pushing for both institutional efficiency and practical integration as Montenegro aims to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026. No opposing amendments were tabled, suggesting broad cross-party consensus on the core narrative of Montenegro's progress, with Renew seeking to add specific, actionable language.
Stakeholder impacts - Montenegrin government and EU accession negotiators: positive impact, as the amendments provide clear parliamentary backing for faster institutional progress and tangible integration benefits, strengthening their negotiating position. - EU Council: moderate positive impact, as the endorsement of the ad hoc working group may increase political pressure to establish and operationalise the mechanism, potentially accelerating decision-making. - Citizens of Montenegro and the Western Balkans: positive impact, as the roaming amendment promises concrete cost savings and connectivity improvements, enhancing everyday life and regional integration. - EU telecom operators: moderate negative impact, as extending the 'roam like at home' regime to the Western Balkans could reduce roaming revenues and require adjustments to pricing and network agreements.
Institutional follow-up The amendments will be voted on in plenary as part of the final report. The report will then be transmitted to the Commission, the Council, and the Montenegrin authorities. The Council's response to the working group proposal and the Commission's progress on roaming negotiations will be key indicators of the amendments' influence. No trilogue is required as this is a non-legislative resolution.
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