Germany optimistic regarding swift EU accession for Montenegro

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday expressed optimism regarding Montenegro's bid to join the European Union if the West Balkan country continues to swiftly implement reforms.

Speaking during consultations on the planned EU expansion into the Western Balkans in Montenegro, Wadephul said that the country's desire to join the bloc was being "heard in Brussels and in all European capitals."

"Those who are willing and able to join the European Union and meet the criteria can succeed in the coming years," said Wadephul at the meeting with his Montenegrin counterpart Ervin Ibrahimović and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in the coastal city of Budva.

The EU candidate countries in the Western Balkans are Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and North Macedonia. Kosovo is a potential candidate for membership. All six countries are seeking EU membership but are at different stages in the process.

The EU has been conducting accession talks with Montenegro and Serbia since 2012 and 2014 respectively. Negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia began in 2022. Bosnia-Herzegovina has candidate status but has not yet entered negotiations.

According to the European Commission's most recent analysis, Montenegro is furthest along in the EU accession process. The country was recently assessed as being able to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2026, provided it maintains its pace of reform.

Montenegro on right track, EU says

Ahead of his departure to Montenegro, Wadephul called for accession negotiations with the country to be accelerated, stressing that EU enlargement in the region was crucial for Europe's security and future.

According to Germany's top diplomat, offering the Western Balkan states a credible prospect of EU membership and forging closer ties with them would give the bloc greater geopolitical room for manoeuvre in the long term.

Russia and China have long been seeking to expand their influence in the region.

In Budva, EU Enlargement Commissioner Kos said that Montenegro was clearly in the final stages of concluding its accession negotiations.

Developments in the country had created fresh momentum for EU enlargement across the Western Balkans, including Albania, which was making strong progress with its reform efforts, the commissioner said.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović stressed that the Western Balkans were already contributing to European security by aligning their foreign and security policies with those of the EU and by participating in European and Euro-Atlantic mechanisms.

Wadephul heads to Italy

On Thursday afternoon, Wadephul plans to head on to Italy to meet his counterpart Antonio Tajani in Rome. The two ministers intend to plant a tree to mark the 75th anniversary of German-Italian diplomatic relations.

Wadephul and Tajani are then expected to attend celebrations in the Italian capital marking German Unity Day, which falls on Saturday.