BRUSSELS, June 17 (Balkan View) – The European Parliament has delivered sharply different assessments of five Western Balkan EU candidates, praising Montenegro and Albania for progress while warning that North Macedonia and Kosovo have made little headway since their previous assessments.
In reports adopted on June 17, lawmakers backed the European aspirations of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia but highlighted substantial differences in reform momentum.
Montenegro is seeking to complete accession negotiations by the end of 2026 and become the European Union’s 28th member in 2028, while Albania aims to close its negotiations by the end of 2027.
North Macedonia, by contrast, was criticised for a lack of progress, particularly in the rule of law, judicial reform and the fight against corruption. Its accession process also remains tied to constitutional amendments required before the first negotiating cluster can be opened.
Montenegro eyes EU membership in 2028
Montenegro received one of the strongest assessments.
The report was adopted by 486 votes in favour, 101 against and 75 abstentions, with lawmakers welcoming what they described as steady progress on EU-related reforms.
Parliament noted Montenegro’s ambition to complete negotiations by the end of 2026 and become the bloc’s 28th member two years later.
MEPs nevertheless stressed that meeting technical benchmarks alone would not be sufficient. They said maintaining a strategic European orientation and an unwavering commitment by political leaders to Montenegro’s independent statehood were also important political criteria.
Albania targets end of negotiations in 2027
Albania’s report passed by 483 votes to 103, with 70 abstentions.
MEPs welcomed Albania’s rapid progress in recent years and its ambition to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2027.
But Parliament cautioned that the speed of accession would ultimately depend on the quality of reforms rather than political deadlines.
Lawmakers called for legislation already adopted to be fully implemented and identified political polarisation, political culture, the rule of law and consolidation of anti-corruption reforms as continuing challenges.
North Macedonia: Parliament regrets lack of progress
The assessment was considerably more critical for North Macedonia.
Its report was adopted by 411 votes in favour, 120 against and 120 abstentions.
Parliament reiterated its full support for the country’s EU membership ambitions but said accession progress depended on lasting and substantive reforms.
MEPs “regret the lack of progress since 2025’s report”, particularly regarding the rule of law, judicial reform and the fight against corruption.
They called for renewed political commitment and cross-party cooperation, including adoption of the constitutional amendments needed to allow the opening of the first negotiating cluster.
The constitutional changes have become one of the central obstacles in North Macedonia’s accession process.
Kosovo’s political deadlock worries MEPs
Kosovo’s report was approved by 412 votes in favour, 174 against and 58 abstentions.
Parliament praised Kosovo’s continued commitment to its EU membership application but expressed concern over its inability to establish a functioning legislature and government for more than a year.
MEPs called for an acceleration of reforms concerning the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and the fight against corruption.
They also reiterated that normalisation of relations with Serbia and implementation of the Brussels and Ohrid agreements remain essential to Kosovo’s EU ambitions.
Bosnia urged to end obstructionism
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s report was adopted by 478 votes in favour, 116 against and 54 abstentions.
Parliament reaffirmed its support for Bosnia’s EU accession based on the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
MEPs urged political leaders to end obstructionism, politically motivated vetoes and divisive rhetoric and called for long-delayed reforms.
The priorities identified by Parliament include stronger democratic institutions, rule of law, fighting corruption and organised crime and guaranteeing fundamental rights.
A Western Balkans moving at different speeds
Taken together, the five reports illustrate an increasingly differentiated EU accession process in the Western Balkans.
Montenegro has set the most ambitious membership deadline, targeting 2028, while Albania wants to complete negotiations by 2027. Both received broadly positive assessments, although Parliament warned that political commitments must be matched by implementation.
North Macedonia, meanwhile, faces both an internal reform problem and a political hurdle over constitutional amendments. Kosovo combines reform challenges with political deadlock and the unresolved normalisation process with Serbia, while Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to face internal political obstruction.
The parliamentary votes also show strong overall support for enlargement but differing levels of backing for individual candidates. Montenegro’s report received 486 votes in favour, the highest among the five, followed by Albania with 483 and Bosnia and Herzegovina with 478. Kosovo received 412 votes in favour and North Macedonia 411.
For the Western Balkans, the message from Parliament was therefore not simply that enlargement remains open. It was that countries increasingly risk moving towards membership at markedly different speeds.