Latest news in Montenegro? September 25th, 2026
25-09-2026
Here are the top developments in Montenegro as of September 25, 2026:
EU Visa Alignment (Ending Visa-Free Entry): In a significant foreign policy move to harmonize its border policies with European Union standards, Montenegro announced steps to terminate its visa-free travel regimes for citizens of Russia, Belarus, and Turkey.
Friction Over EU Accession Talks: Montenegro’s drive to accelerate European Union membership negotiations has faced diplomatic hurdles. An intergovernmental conference scheduled for late September was delayed after Croatia raised objections over unresolved bilateral matters dating back to the 1990s Yugoslav conflictsincluding wartime camp compensation, missing persons, property claims, and the disputed ownership of the training ship Jadran. Despite the delay, Montenegrin and EU officials reaffirmed that accession talks have not stopped and the target to conclude chapters remains in focus.
Domestic Political Strains in Parliament: The Montenegrin Assembly saw renewed tensions and quorum disputes surrounding Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić. Opposition parties and coalition partners have clashed over parliamentary agendas, session quorums, and debated constitutional amendments.
Economic Outlook: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently raised Montenegro’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.1%. Domestically, public debates remain centered on managing inflation and the cost of living, alongside government adjustments to fuel excise duties.