Montenegro is a potential candidate for membership to the EU. Its European perspective was reaffirmed by the Council in June 2006 after the recognition of the country's independence by EU member states. On 15 October 2007 Montenegro signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and an Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues . The latter entered into force on 1 January 2008. Montenegro has profited from EU autonomous trade measures since 2000. As from 1 January 2008 access of Montenegrin products to the EU was expanded and EU exports to Montenegro have been granted trade preferences following the entry into force of the Interim Agreement. In 2009, notwithstanding the negative impact of the international crisis, integration with the EU remained high. The main source of export revenues are tourism and metal industry. The EU is the main trading partner of the country, and also with reference to foreign direct investments, which in 2009 represent 44.2% of GDP, EU27 accounted for almost 80% of total inflows.
A European partnership with Montenegro was adopted by the Council on 22 January 2007. The Montenegrin government adopted an action plan for its implementation on 17 May 2007. Agreements between the EU and Montenegro on Visa Facilitation and Readmission entered into force on 1 January 2008. On 30 November 2009 the Council decided to lift visa requirements for the citizens of Montenegro (along with citizens Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) with effect from 19 December 2009.
Following ratification by all EU member states and Montenegro the SAA entered into force on 1 May 2010.
Montenegro submitted its application for EU membership on 15 December 2008. On 23 April 2009 the Council asked the Commission to prepare an Opinion [49 KB] on the country's application. The Commission adopted its Opinion on 9 November 2010.
This Opinion covers all aspects of the accession criteria, political, economic and relating to Montenegro's capacity to implement EU law, building on the December 2006 European Council conclusions on a renewed consensus for EU enlargement, and based on rigorous and fair conditionality and the 'own merits' principle.
The Commission considers that negotiations for accession to the European Union should be opened with Montenegro once the country has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria. In this regard, the country needs to meet in particular a number of key priorities. In the light of the progress made so far, the Commission recommends that the Council should grant Montenegro the status of candidate country.
9 November 2010 - adoption of the Commission Opinion on Montenegro's application for membership of the European Union
1 May 2010 - Entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA)
19 December 2009 – Montenegro achieves visa liberalisation with the EU.
9 December 2009 - Prime Minister Djukanovic delivers to Commissioner Rehn Montenegro's replies to the Commission's Questionnaire in Brussels.
22 July 2009 - Commissioner Rehn hands over the Commission's Questionnaire to Prime Minister Djukanovic in Podgorica
23 April 2009 - The Council invites the Commission to submit its opinion on Montenegro's application.
15 December 2008 - Montenegro submits its application for EU membership
27 May 2008 - European Commission presents roadmap setting out a number of benchmarks for visa liberalisation with Montenegro
21 February 2008 - Visa liberalisation dialogue launched
1 January 2008 - Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related issues and Visa facilitation and readmission agreements enter into force
15 November 2007 - The Framework Agreement of the Instrument of pre-Accession Assistance is signed between the Government of Montenegro and the EC
1 November 2007- The European Commission Delegation in Podgorica starts to function.
19 October 2007- The Parliament of Montenegro adopts by 2/3 majority the Constitution which was proclaimed officially on 22 October.
15 October 2007- The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is signed in Luxembourg
18 September 2007- Visa facilitation and readmission agreements with the EU signed
15 March 2007 - The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is initialled in Podgorica
22 January 2007 - The Council adopts a European Partnership for Montenegro.
26 September 2006 - SAA negotiations with Montenegro are launched: First Official Round and First technical Round.
10 September 2006 - Montenegro parliamentary elections.
24 July 2006 - The EU Council adopts a negotiating mandate for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Montenegro.
12 June 2006 - The EU Council declares the will to develop further the relations with Montenegro as a sovereign, independent state. Bilateral recognitions by Member States follow.
3 June 2006 - The Montenegrin Parliament declares independence.
21 May 2006 - A referendum on independence results by the vote of a majority of Montenegrin voters (55.5%) to the independence of Montenegro.
3 May 2006 - Negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro are interrupted due to failure of the Serbian government to fulfil ICTY-related conditionality.
October 2005 - Launching of the negotiations for a Stabilization and Association Agreement between the EU and Serbia and Montenegro. Negotiations take place on the basis of the twin-track approach.
July 2003 - Enhanced Permanent Dialogue between the EU and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro is launched.
June 2003 - At the Thessaloniki European Council, the EU perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans is confirmed.
March 2002 - Signature of the Belgrade Agreement on a restructured State Union comprising Serbia and Montenegro.
2001 - The Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) programme is launched.
November 2000 - Zagreb Summit launches the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) for five countries of South-Eastern Europe.
November 2000 - "Framework Agreement Federal Republic of Yugoslavia-EU for the provision of Assistance and Support by the EU to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia". Montenegro benefits from Autonomous Trade Preferences from the EU.
1997 - Regional Approach. The EU Council of Ministers establishes political and economic conditionality for the development of bilateral relations with the Western Balkans countries.