Accession of Montenegro to the European Union (EU) is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the EU. Here is how it all began.
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, comprising of Serbia and Montenegro was a single country. In February 2003, Yugoslavia was transformed from a federal republic to a political union officially known as the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro started the process of Accession to the European Union in November 2005.
In May 2006, Montenegro voted for independence in a referendum. In 2006, Montenegro seceded from the union, and from then on, Montenegro and Serbia were considered fully independent entities.
Separate negotiations were launched with Montenegro in 2006 and an agreement was officially signed in October 2007.
Three years later, the EU Commission issued a favourable opinion on Montenegro’s application. It stated seven key criteria that would need to be satisfied for further negotiations to begin. Montenegro was then conferred candidate status by the EU Council.
The accession negotiations with Montenegro subsequently began in 2012. Among the states that are still negotiating for membership, the European Commission sees Montenegro as having the highest level of preparation. The country has been largely favoured by EU members’ officials, and accession of the country to the EU is considered possible by 2025.
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