The European Union will continue to expand in the coming years, with Montenegro joining first, followed by Albania, said EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Cos.
“It is now a reality that the European Union will enlarge in the coming years. However, doubts about the prospects of EU membership remain in many parts of the Western Balkans. I hope that the positive example of Montenegro and Albania, which are in line for membership, will inspire other countries in the region to follow suit,” she said.
The candidate status is just the beginning of a long road to EU membership. Türkiye has been a candidate since 1999, North Macedonia since 2005, Montenegro since 2010, Serbia since 2012, and Albania since 2014. The most recent accession to the EU was Croatia in 2013. Its membership period lasted 10 years.
