First Step Towards Montenegro's EU Membership

The EU and Montenegro signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). The document opened up the trade between EU and the youngest European country and is seen as a step towards its greater European integration.


Montenegro hopes to officially apply for EU membership next year, reports the EUobserver.com. Before joining the EU, the country of only 65o,ooo inhabitants has to go through significant reforms of its public administration, judicial system and to perform better on fight against corruption. Therefore Montenegro is not likely to join in the near future. However, the country is relying much on the Slovenian EU presidency in the first half of 2008.

The process of Montenegrin European integration was sped up by its independence from Serbia in May 2006. Take a look at the BBC's profile of Montenegro.

What do you think about the new agreement? Do you believe Montenegro will become a member in the coming decade? Should it be admitted? Do you agree that Montenegro seems to be better off without Serbia? Having in mind our discussion in European History class, how can their case be compared to Kosovo?

- Jurga Krastinaityte