Montenegro has reached a crucial political milestone as it approaches what officials describe as the “final stretch” in its lengthy campaign to join the European Union as its next member state.

The ruling Europe Now! (Pokret Evropa sad!) party of Montenegro has taken a notable step toward European integration by becoming an observer member of the European People’s Party (EPP).

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This decision was ratified at the EPP’s Political Assembly earlier this month. President Manfred Weber greeted the new member by stating on social media, «A bigger EPP family means a stronger future.»

By joining, Montenegro gains entry to policy debates, networking opportunities, and backing from EU institutions.

Weber also expressed gratitude to Montenegro’s prime minister and Europe Now! leader Milojko Spajic “for your leadership and dedication to Montenegro’s EU trajectory. United by shared values, building a Europe focused on people first.”

As the largest political grouping in the EU, the EPP encompasses parties such as Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, Spain’s People’s Party, Poland’s Civic Platform, and Greece’s New Democracy.

For Montenegro, this affiliation cements its ambition to emerge as a leader among Western Balkan countries pursuing EU membership.

What does observer status involve?

The EPP classifies party membership into several categories, indicating a party’s political alignment and the EU membership status of the party’s home country.

Observer membership signifies a type of affiliation for parties politically aligned with the EPP yet not positioned for full or associate membership. Such observer parties can attend congresses and political assemblies and take part in discussions but lack voting rights within the EPP framework.

Montenegro’s EU integration goals

Separately, on Tuesday evening, the European Commission announced on Facebook its proposal regarding Montenegro’s participation in the EU budget following accession, highlighting that “the objective is to ensure a seamless transition into EU membership.”

These updates coincide with Montenegro’s accelerated EU accession process. In April 2026, the EU commenced drafting Montenegro’s accession treaty after current member states agreed to advance the Balkan country’s bid.

This represented a new phase in the negotiations. President Jakov Milatović declared before the European Parliament that Montenegro is prepared to become the EU’s next member and reaffirmed the administration’s goal to complete accession by 2028.

During the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) session on 24 April in Podgorica, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević noted that besides closing negotiation chapters, drafting the accession treaty marks the «final phase of a fourteen-year marathon toward EU membership.»