Montenegro and Italy are looking to deepen their cooperation as Podgorica moves through an increasingly important stage of its European Union accession process. The issue was highlighted during a meeting between Montenegrin National Security Agency Director Ivica Janović and Italy’s newly appointed ambassador to Montenegro, Laura Egoli. The two officials welcomed the traditionally close relationship between the countries and expressed a shared interest in expanding cooperation, while also emphasizing support for Montenegro’s efforts to complete the final stages of its European integration.
The meeting comes at a significant moment for Montenegro, which remains the leading EU candidate in the Western Balkans in terms of progress in its accession negotiations. Janović congratulated Egoli on her appointment and said he expected successful cooperation between the two countries to continue during her diplomatic mandate. According to the National Security Agency, both sides discussed further joint activities and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close ties.
Security cooperation is particularly important because Montenegro’s European path is closely connected with strengthening its institutions, rule of law and ability to respond to cross border challenges. Cooperation between national security institutions can cover areas such as information exchange, organized crime, border related issues and other threats that increasingly require coordination between neighboring European states. While the details of the Janović-Egoli meeting were not made public, the emphasis on continuing joint activities suggests that security cooperation will remain an important part of the bilateral relationship.
Montenegro EU Accession Enters a Crucial Stage
The wider relationship between Montenegro and Italy also has a strong European dimension. Italy has consistently supported European Union enlargement toward the Western Balkans, arguing that bringing the region closer to the bloc is important not only for economic development but also for European security and stability. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in July that the accession of the Balkan countries should be treated as a major strategic investment for Europe, linking enlargement with security, competitiveness and regional stability.
That position is particularly relevant for Montenegro, which has made significant progress in its accession negotiations during 2026. The country has opened all 33 negotiating chapters, and in July the EU provisionally closed Chapters 8 on competition policy and 29 on customs union, bringing the total number of provisionally closed chapters to 18. The European Union has described Montenegro as the frontrunner in the enlargement process, although the remaining negotiations still require substantial reforms and continued political commitment.
Earlier in the year, Montenegro also made progress in several other areas of the accession process, including free movement of workers, consumer and health protection, financial control and trans European networks. In June, the European Commission presented a financial package outlining the arrangements that would apply to Montenegro after accession, another indication that the EU is preparing for the possibility of the country eventually becoming a member.
For Montenegro, however, reaching the final stage of negotiations is not simply a matter of closing chapters on paper. The country must continue implementing reforms and meeting EU standards in areas such as the rule of law, democratic institutions, economic governance and the fight against organized crime and corruption. European Commission officials have repeatedly stressed that maintaining reform momentum and political unity will be essential if Podgorica is to remain on its ambitious timetable.
Italy Partnership Could Support Montenegro’s European Path
This is where cooperation with individual EU member states such as Italy can become particularly valuable. Italy is one of Montenegro’s closest major EU partners and has strong geographic and historical links with the country through the Adriatic. Analysts have argued that the relationship could become more strategically important as Montenegro approaches the final part of its accession process, particularly in areas involving security, regional stability, economic links and European integration.
The two countries also have a broader regional interest in maintaining stability in the Western Balkans. Italy views the region as closely connected to the security of the Adriatic and wider Mediterranean area. Cooperation with Montenegro therefore extends beyond bilateral relations and can form part of a wider European effort to strengthen institutions, improve regional coordination and address common security challenges.
For Montenegro, stronger relations with Italy also provide an additional diplomatic channel with one of the EU’s larger member states. Support from individual member governments can be important during accession negotiations, particularly as Montenegro works to demonstrate that its reforms are producing lasting results. At the same time, EU membership ultimately depends on Montenegro meeting the required standards and securing agreement from all member states.
The appointment of Laura Egoli as Italy’s ambassador therefore comes at an important point in the relationship. Her mandate begins as Montenegro attempts to turn years of negotiations into concrete progress toward membership. The message from the meeting with Janović was that both governments want to build on existing cooperation rather than simply maintain the status quo.
The meeting between Janović and Egoli may not represent a major policy change on its own, but it reflects a wider pattern of closer European engagement with Montenegro. As Podgorica advances toward the conclusion of its accession negotiations, cooperation with partners such as Italy is likely to become increasingly important. The coming period will ultimately test whether Montenegro can maintain its reform momentum and translate political support from European partners into successful completion of the accession process.
