Montenegro is seen as a more realistic candidate than other EU hopefuls and would entail relatively low economic and political costs
The Greek government is exploring ways to accelerate Montenegro’s accession to the European Union during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2027, as part of a broader strategy for the Western Balkans.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is visiting Podgorica on Friday to discuss Montenegro’s EU path with his counterpart, Ervin Ibrahimović, and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.
Greece will assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2027. According to government sources, the aim is to help at least one Western Balkan country join the EU.
Athens hopes to build on the key role it played during its 2003 EU Presidency in preparing the Union’s largest post-Cold War enlargement, which took place the following year. George Tzogopoulos, a senior fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), told Euractiv that Greece sees an opportunity to revive its enlargement legacy.
