Montenegro’s 2028 EU Ambition Faces Implementation Reality

Marjan Šarec, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Montenegro, acknowledges the country’s high-speed ambitions but warns that political will must translate into tangible policy execution. While 18 chapters of the accession agreement are provisionally closed, the remaining files—focused on rule of law, organized crime, and systemic corruption—represent the most arduous phase of the process. Šarec emphasizes that passing legislation is only the preliminary step; the subsequent, rigorous implementation remains the true test for the nation of 630,000.

The timeline for 2028 depends not only on internal reforms but on the consensus of existing member states. Recent delays, including the postponement of a critical September 22 meeting with EU negotiators, underscore the friction inherent in the process. Despite these setbacks, the rapporteur maintains a stance of moderate optimism, viewing potential EU integration as the necessary catalyst for building a different societal environment in Montenegro.