EU member states have approved the establishment of a working group to draft Montenegro's accession treaty, officials said on April 22.

The latest step signals renewed momentum for EU expansion and brings membership prospects closer for the country. Montenegro has already closed 14 negotiation chapters in its EU accession talks, positioning it among the most advanced candidates in the enlargement process.

President of the European Council António Costa welcomed the move, describing it as a “key turning point” in Montenegro’s EU path. He noted that, for the first time since 2014, the bloc is initiating a concrete process linked to its next enlargement, Montenegro’s broadcaster RTCG reported.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Montenegro’s place in the EU is becoming increasingly clear, calling the decision both recognition of progress and an incentive to accelerate reforms.

The approval came from ambassadors of EU member states within the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER), under the Council of the European Union, with the Cypriot presidency highlighting the importance of launching preparatory work early given the technical complexity of accession treaties.

Kos said earlier that the future accession agreement will include strengthened safeguards to prevent backsliding in rule of law and fundamental values, building on lessons from previous enlargements.