Montenegro Accelerates EU Membership Talks Despite Local Challenges

Montenegro is making strides in its efforts to join the European Union, even as it grapples with various domestic challenges. The past year has been marked by significant events, including the tragic mass shooting in Cetinje, prolonged protests against government decisions, and rising tensions over visa regulations for Turkish citizens. Amid these issues, officials from Brussels have reiterated that Montenegro is on track to become the next EU member.

Montenegro currently leads the Western Balkans in EU integration, having closed 12 out of 33 negotiation chapters. According to EU officials, this positions Montenegro as the best candidate for membership. In a significant development during the Intergovernmental Conference in December 2023, Montenegro successfully closed five additional chapters, despite facing a blockade from France.

Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, emphasized the urgency of completing negotiations by the target date of late 2026, stating, “To achieve this, you need to run fast.” Prime Minister Milojko Spajic echoed this sentiment, asserting that closing all chapters by the end of 2026 is a realistic goal, while highlighting that Montenegro awaits its neighbor Serbia in the membership queue. This statement was also directed at Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has suggested a collective EU entry for the entire Western Balkans.

As the year drew to a close, tensions escalated over the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Botun, which has faced local opposition. Residents, supported by the leader of the Democratic People’s Party, Milan Knežević, protested against the project, which is financed by the German KfW Bank at a cost of €35 million. The project is deemed critical; failure to commence construction by the end of 2025 could jeopardize Podgorica’s access to approximately €200 million in funding.

The controversy surrounding foreign investment also looms large. Following Prime Minister Spajic’s visit to Dubai in February, a new chapter of cooperation with the United Arab Emirates was opened, focusing on economic collaboration and tourism. Billionaire Mohamed Alabar has initiated investments along Montenegro’s coastline, which have drawn scrutiny from non-governmental organizations concerned about the preservation of national resources.

While the tourism sector showed some recovery in 2023, with 2.4 million visitors in the first nine months—up 5% from the previous year—local opposition claims the season was the worst in two decades. The Montenegrin Statistical Office reported a 1.8% decline in overnight stays compared to last year. The previous year had already seen a downturn in tourism revenue, which dropped by 3.6%—the first decline in two decades.

Inflation remains a pressing issue, with the annual rate at 4.5%. Most notably, prices for accommodation and food have surged, leading analysts to suggest that the inflationary pressures are not solely due to global trends but are significantly influenced by domestic economic policies. Montenegro’s economy continues to rely heavily on imports, and the country is still navigating its dependency on services.

The government’s temporary imposition of visas on Turkish citizens following incidents involving foreign nationals in Podgorica showcased the complexities of balancing security with tourism. Although the visa regime has since been restored, Montenegro faces pressure to align its visa policies with EU standards within the next year.

In summary, while Montenegro advances towards EU membership, it must address internal challenges, including local opposition to development projects, inflation, and the dynamics of international relations. The coming months will be critical as the nation strives to balance its aspirations for EU integration with the pressing needs of its citizens.