Key facts
- Montenegro's ruling Europe Now! party has joined the European People's Party (EPP) as an observer member.
- The EPP welcomed the party, highlighting shared values and a commitment to Montenegro's EU path.
- Observer membership grants access to policy discussions and support but not voting rights.
- Montenegro is in the final stages of its EU accession process, aiming for membership by 2028.
- The estimated cost of Montenegro's EU accession is €3 billion from 2028-2034, or about €1 per EU taxpayer.
Montenegro's ruling Europe Now! party has become an observer member of the European People's Party (EPP), signaling a significant step in its bid to join the European Union. The EPP's Political Assembly approved the affiliation, with EPP President Manfred Weber welcoming the move as a step towards a 'stronger future' and thanking Prime Minister Milojko Spajic for his commitment to Montenegro's EU path.
Observer membership allows parties to attend EPP congresses and participate in discussions, but without voting rights. This development aligns with Montenegro's accelerated EU accession process, with the EU having begun drafting the country's accession treaty in April 2026. President Jakov Milatović has expressed readiness for membership by 2028, a goal echoed by Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, who described the current phase as the 'final lap' of a fourteen-year effort.
Financially, Montenegro's EU accession is projected to cost approximately €3 billion between 2028 and 2034, amounting to about €1 per EU taxpayer. This figure is part of a larger estimated net cost of €8 billion for all Western Balkan countries joining the EU. Montenegro is expected to receive substantial funds, including farmer subsidies, regional development aid, and migration funds, totaling an estimated €3.1 billion in projected receipts.