The European Union is entering a new phase of enlargement, with officials in Brussels indicating that expansion is no longer a distant possibility, but a realistic near-term goal.
According to EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, Montenegro is currently the frontrunner among candidate countries and is expected to be the first to join the bloc, followed closely by Albania.
Montenegro has already made significant progress in its accession process. The country has opened all negotiating chapters and is steadily closing them, while the EU has taken a major step forward by starting the drafting of its accession treaty, an important milestone that signals the final stages of membership talks.
Kos emphasized that Montenegro’s path toward membership is now “taking shape,” highlighting the country as a positive example for the rest of the Western Balkans.
Albania is seen as the next country in line. Its negotiations are progressing, with the goal of entering the final phase of talks soon, provided reforms, especially in areas like the rule of law and governance, continue at the required pace.
EU officials stress that enlargement is not just about technical criteria, but also about strategic interest. Bringing Western Balkan countries into the Union is increasingly viewed as essential for strengthening political stability, security, and long-term cohesion across Europe.
At the same time, Brussels is making it clear that progress depends on concrete reforms. Countries that fail to meet deadlines risk losing significant EU funding tied to reform performance, reinforcing the message that accession is a merit-based process.
Despite ongoing skepticism in parts of the region, the current momentum suggests that enlargement is once again a central priority for the EU. Montenegro and Albania are now seen as the clearest indicators that membership is achievable potentially within the next few years if current progress continues.
