Latest news in Montenegro? September 18th, 2026

Montenegro’s most prominent news developments center on economic milestones, European integration, and regional infrastructure:

• Record-Low Unemployment: Montenegro’s statistical office announced that the national unemployment rate dropped to a record low of 9.1% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 9.8% in the first quarter.

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• EU Accession Push: The government reaffirmed its target to conclude all remaining EU accession chapters by the end of 2026, aiming for formal European Union membership by 2028. Diplomatic discussions continue regarding resolving bilateral issues, particularly with neighboring Croatia, to accelerate the closure of outstanding negotiation chapters.

  The Region

• Coastal Infrastructure Upgrades: In the coastal municipality of Ulcinj, a European Investment Bank (EIB)-backed project completed 14.5 km of wastewater and stormwater management networks. The 5 million euro project connects over 5,700 households to modern municipal sanitation, intended to safeguard coastal waters and support the expanding tourism economy.

  European Investment Bank

• Bilateral Defense Cooperation: Montenegro hosted high-level U.S. state and defense delegations, marking the 20th anniversary of the State Partnership Program with the Maine National Guard through joint training exercises and bilateral security talks.

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