Montenegro could be the next country to join the European Union, with the goal of membership being realised in 2028. Meanwhile, Albania aims to complete membership negotiations by the end of 2027, while Kosovo continues to remain without a concrete deadline for advancing the European integration process.
According to Swiss media report Watson, referring to the European Commission’s new assessment, Montenegro could complete membership negotiations by the end of 2026.
If the required conditions are met, the membership agreement could be signed in June 2027, while the country’s EU accession could be realised in 2028.
As for Albania, the European Commission estimates that the outcome of negotiations by the end of 2027 is possible, but this requires continued reforms, especially in the area of rule of law, the fight against corruption and strengthening of democratic institutions.
Tirana has already opened the last negotiating group, entering an important phase of the integration process.
Otherwise the situation is presented for Kosovo, where the European integration process continues to have no concrete deadline for future steps. According to the European Commission report, a concrete guide for the country has not yet been established for further stages of membership, unlike Montenegro and Albania.
Moreover, the process of European integration-related reforms has slowed due to the prolonged institutional crisis.
Brussels estimates that Kosovo has marked some advances, including the fight against organised crime and the alignment with EU foreign and security policy.
However, the country is required further steps in functioning of the justice system, respecting fundamental rights and implementing obligations stemming from dialogue with Serbia.
An important development for Kosovo is the European Commission’s decision to remove measures towards the country, following changes in local governance in the north.
This decision has enabled the resumption of co-operation through Stabilisation and Association Process mechanisms, as well as continued financial assistance.
The European Commission has indicated that it is ready to prepare the opinion for Kosovo’s application for membership, if that is required by the EU Council.
Meanwhile, Montenegro has temporarily closed 21 out of 33 negotiating chapters and is considered the most advanced country among candidate states.
Next is Albania, while Kosovo continues to face institutional and political obstacles on the road to European integration.
The European Union’s expansion in the Western Balkans is taking on new strategic importance for Brussels. However, the latest report testifies that countries in the region are not moving at the same pace and that each of them’s European perspective remains closely linked to meeting reforms and the required conditions.
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Source Layer: Signal