Slovenia Backs Montenegro's EU Bid
Slovenia's president reaffirmed support for Montenegro's accession to the European Union after talks with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in International Relations
Slovenia reaffirmed its support for Montenegro's accession to the European Union following a meeting between Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar. The two leaders discussed outstanding disputes between Montenegro and Croatia and agreed that they should be resolved through dialogue.
Why it matters
Montenegro is targeting EU accession in 2028, and the backing of a current EU member state signals regional support for its bid. The discussion also underscores how unresolved bilateral disputes between former Yugoslav republics can factor into the accession process.
Montenegro is targeting EU accession in 2028, with the 2001 Vienna Agreement on Succession Issues providing the legal framework for disputes between former Yugoslav republics. No specific resolution timeline for the Montenegro-Croatia disputes was announced.
The players
Jakov Milatović
Milatović is the President of Montenegro, leading the country's push for European Union membership.
Nataša Pirc Musar
Pirc Musar is the President of Slovenia, a current EU member state that has previously handled its own border dispute with Croatia without obstructing that country's Schengen accession.
The details
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović met with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, who affirmed Slovenia's backing for Montenegro's EU accession. The leaders agreed that outstanding disputes, including those between Montenegro and Croatia, should be addressed through dialogue in line with international law and good-neighborly relations.
Timeline
2001: The Vienna Agreement on Succession Issues was signed, providing a legal framework for disputes between former Yugoslav republics.
2028: Montenegro's targeted year for EU accession.
Political Context
Slovenia previously kept its border dispute with Croatia from blocking Zagreb's Schengen Area accession, a precedent that its support for Montenegro now follows. The 2001 Vienna Agreement on Succession Issues remains the legal framework cited for resolving disputes between former Yugoslav republics.
For readers following EU enlargement, Montenegro's 2028 target and the resolution of its disputes with Croatia will determine when it can join. The backing from Slovenia is a signal, but accession still depends on progress across the bloc's requirements.
The takeaway
Bilateral disputes between Balkan and former Yugoslav states remain a central factor in EU enlargement, and dialogue under existing legal frameworks is the path leaders are emphasizing. Readers should watch whether Montenegro and Croatia advance their disputes ahead of the 2028 target.
What happens next
Montenegro is targeting EU accession in 2028, the year it aims to become the bloc's next member state.
Further reading
For broader context on how countries navigate disputes and alliances, explore International Relations coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BGNES: Breaking News, Latest News and Videos.
