Key facts
- EU leaders are meeting with Balkan leaders in Montenegro for an enlargement summit.
- Montenegro barred 87 Serbs from entering the country, citing national security risks.
- Montenegrin officials claim EU countries assisted in gathering intelligence on the Serbs.
- The aim of the alleged operation was to stage a demonstration to undermine the summit.
- Montenegro is seeking to accelerate its bid to join the EU.
- Serbia, an EU candidate country, has close relations with Russia.
EU leaders are convening in Tivat, Montenegro, for a summit with Balkan leaders focused on EU enlargement. The event has been overshadowed by allegations of foreign interference, with Montenegro barring 87 Serbs from entering the country due to national security concerns. Montenegrin officials stated that EU countries assisted in gathering intelligence on these individuals, who were allegedly planning a demonstration to disrupt the summit. This incident occurs as Montenegro, an EU candidate country with close ties to Russia, pushes to accelerate its EU accession process. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić expressed confidence in Montenegro becoming the EU's 28th member by 2028. The summit aims to discuss enlargement, but concerns about foreign interference and the pace of accession talks are prominent.