European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on 5 June 2026, at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro, that Montenegro becoming the 28th EU member state by 2028 is 'within reach'. She also announced that the EU has delivered €675 million in investments under the Growth Plan, with a next tranche of €540 million foreseen for disbursement. The statement was made jointly with European Council President António Costa and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović.
Von der Leyen emphasised that the Growth Plan is already delivering gradual integration into the Single Market, citing high-speed internet for 75,000 households, railway electrification, and preschool places as examples. She noted that the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) has been introduced in four Western Balkan countries, potentially saving companies around €1 billion if the whole region integrates. The EU also plans to extend DiscoverEU to young people from the Western Balkans and to negotiate 'roam like at home' roaming agreements.
On enlargement, von der Leyen called it a 'geostrategic imperative' and stressed that the process must be merit-based but more dynamic, rewarding reforms with real integration such as access to EU programmes, closer Single Market links, and EU funding. She expressed hope that Albania would follow Montenegro quickly and that the whole region would move closer to the Union. The summit was the second in six months, signalling closer ties between the EU and the Western Balkans.
The speech contained concrete proposals: numerical targets for Growth Plan disbursement (€675 million delivered, €540 million next tranche), a specific membership timeline for Montenegro (2028), and sectoral integration steps (SEPA, roaming, DiscoverEU). The policy orientation is clearly towards accelerating enlargement and deepening economic integration, shifting from declarative support to tangible investments and conditional rewards. The approach is conciliatory and supportive, offering clear incentives for reform.
Stakeholder impacts: Western Balkan businesses benefit from reduced transaction costs via SEPA and easier market access, but face pressure to implement reforms. EU taxpayers fund the €540 million tranche, with potential long-term gains from stability and trade. EU companies gain expanded market opportunities but may face increased competition from Western Balkan firms. National governments in the region are incentivised to accelerate reforms to unlock EU funds and integration, but may face domestic political costs from implementing required changes.