Timeline for accession
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at the Berlin Process summit in Milocer, Montenegro, that Montenegro could realistically become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Merz told leaders at the summit opening that the enlargement process returned to a positive path since the June meeting in Tivat. He spoke with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic at a joint news conference later that day. Merz insisted that gradual integration must remain merit-based. The EU will strip integration benefits if a country backtracks on its reforms. This gradual integration model, which France and Germany push, provides candidate countries specific benefits before they gain full membership.
| Integration Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Single Market | Greater access to the EU market |
| Research | Access to education and research programmes |
| Participation | Observer status in certain meetings without voting rights |
The model allows for greater access to the single market and research or education programmes. Merz told the summit that the reforms and the political will must come from the candidate countries. He noted that regional leaders made progress since the last meeting in Tivat focused on the EU integration of the Western Balkans. Merz told the attendees that economic integration would make the region more attractive to investors and prepare it for the EU single market.
Regional cooperation and security
Merz argued that economic integration makes the Western Balkans more attractive to investors because eight million people in one market interest investors more than six small ones. Merz told the Western Balkan countries that they will succeed in the EU only if they work together because an eight million person market is simply more interesting for investors than six small ones. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said enlargement is central to Europe’s security and unity. Spajic described enlargement as a reunification of the continent that would extend freedom, security and opportunity to Europeans still outside the bloc. Merz emphasized the importance of European involvement in negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and stated that lasting peace cannot be achieved without Europe. Spajic reaffirmed Montenegro’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine during the summit.
