5 March 2024

DGAP, Jacques Delors Institute, Clingendael, Carnegie Europe

Under its new government, Montenegro has unblocked its accession process. Although the small country faces many obstacles, it now represents the best opportunity for the EU to regain momentum for enlargement in the Western Balkans. The period until mid-2024 will be pivotal for reform progress in Podgorica and adequate response from Brussels. Their moves will also be closely watched by Russia, which is prepared to exploit new vulnerabilities in this NATO member strategically located between Serbia and the Adriatic Coast.

This DGAP Memo outlines the main findings of a fact-finding mission to Podgorica that was jointly conducted by experts from four European think tanks – DGAP, Jacques Delors Institute, Clingendael, and Carnegie Europe – from February 18 to 20, 2024. It was co-organized by DGAP and Ana Nenezić from the local think tank Analitiko. The memo is co-authored by Milan Nič, Dr. Dimitar Bechev, Sébastien Maillard, Zoran Nechev, Frauke Seebass, Wouter Zweers, Iliriana Gjoni.

The DGAP Memo Montenegro’s EU Push: Imminent Opportunities and Challenges, published on 5 March 2024, is available here