EU moves to start drafting Montenegro accession treaty 

European Union countries decided to start work on drafting an ​accession treaty for Montenegro on Wednesday, ‌marking a new phase in the country’s path toward joining the bloc.

“This is a ​major step on the path ​to EU membership, a clear recognition of ⁠Montenegro’s progress, and an encouragement ​to accelerate reforms,” European Enlargement Commissioner Marta ​Kos said in a post on X.

“It also offers a chance to draw lessons from ​past enlargements and include new and ​stronger safeguards in future accession treaties to prevent ‌backsliding ⁠on the rule of law and fundamental values,” she added.

Montenegro’s government has said it hopes to join the EU by ​2028. A ​former ⁠republic of Yugoslavia, Montenegro became independent in 2006. It has ​a population of about 600,000.

European ​Council ⁠President Antonio Costa congratulated the country on Wednesday.

“The decision to establish the Working ⁠Party ​to draft the new ​Accession Treaty is a key milestone,” he said.