Accession of Montenegro to the European Union

Accession of Montenegro to the European Union is on the agenda for future enlargement of the EU. Shortly after voting for independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in a referendum in 2006, Montenegro began the process of accession to the European Union by agreeing to a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, which officially came into force on 1 May 2010. Montenegro officially applied to join the EU on 15 December 2008, and membership negotiations began on 29 June 2012. With all the negotiating chapters opened, the country enjoys a widespread support among EU members' officials, and accession of the country to the EU is considered possible by 2025. Note: This section covers the relationship between Montenegro and the EU since Montenegro's potential candidate status was granted. Montenegro–European Union relations Montenegro was granted potential candidate status in December 2002, when it was still in a union with Serbia. The country's European Perspective was recognized by the EU in June 2006 at the Thessaloniki Summit. The European Commission recommended Montenegro as candidate country on 9 November 2010. Montenegro officially was granted candidate status on 17 December 2010. Montenegro officially applied to join the EU on 15 December 2008. On 23 April 2009, the Council invited the European Commission to submit its opinion on the application. The Commission presented Montenegro with a questionnaire to assess its application on 22 July 2009. On 9 December 2009, Montenegro delivered its answers to the EC questionnaire. In 2010, the Commission issued a favourable opinion on Montenegro's application, identifying seven key priorities that would need to be addressed for negotiations to begin. The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro started the process of Accession to the European Union in November 2005, when negotiations over a Stabilisation and Association Agreement began. Such agreements were concluded by the EU with states that have expressed a wish to become members.