Montenegro at 20: After Breaking with Serbia and Joining NATO, EU Is the Next Frontier
The anniversary comes as Podgorica has restarted accession talks and sped up reforms, with 41% of citizens identifying as Montenegrins and 33% as Serbs.
- On Thursday, May 21, 2026, Montenegro marks 20 years of independence, now prioritizing full integration into the European Union as its next strategic milestone.
- The 2006 independence referendum saw 55.5% of voters choose to leave the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, ending regional instability that followed the 1990s wars and NATO bombing in Kosovo.
- According to the latest census, around 41% of citizens identify as Montenegrins and about 33% as Serbs, while support for EU membership stands at around 80%.
- President Jakov Milatovic describes NATO membership as a key milestone and aims for EU accession by 2028, though expert Daliborka Uljarevic warns "corruption is still everywhere."
- As Montenegro pursues EU membership, it positions itself as a front-runner among six Western Balkan countries, though experts suggest Serbian leadership fears this success undermines their integration narrative.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Associated Press News
Montenegro at 20: After breaking with Serbia and joining NATO, EU is the next frontier
Montenegro marks 20 years of independence from a union with Serbia this week, celebrating a two-decade transformation that has already brought the Balkan country into NATO.
Montenegro looks at its achievements 20 years after independence. But in the jubilee a question comes to the fore. A guest contribution.
Montenegro marks 20 years, and it is eyeing EU membership
Montenegro is commemorating 20 years of independence this week, marking its departure from a union with Serbia. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced significant transformation, including its accession to NATO. Montenegro is now strategically focusing on its next objective: full integration into the European Union, of which it has been a candidate since 2010. In an interview with The Associated Press, President Jakov Milatović e…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
