The EU’s latest report on Montenegro offers a highly positive assessment, calling it the most advanced Western Balkan candidate state. Montenegro has made historic reforms, especially in the judiciary and in tackling corruption, and has provisionally closed four EU negotiation chapters. There is strong political commitment and institutional stability, with substantial gains in rule of law: complex investigations have been launched, indictments filed, and confiscation of illicit assets has increased. At the same time, the report underscores remaining challenges, particularly in securing final convictions of high-level corruption, reducing court backlogs, and fully depoliticizing judicial appointments. Democratic institutions are still fragile, and the efficiency and independence of the justice system must improve. Media freedom needs consistent enforcement of laws and better regulation. Economically, Montenegro is progressing, but must maintain momentum and broad political consensus to reach its ambition of closing all chapters and joining the EU by 2028.
