An international conference titled Montenegro in the EU: Lessons, Issues and Policy Directions is taking place in Podgorica today, 16 October, bringing together leading economists, European policymakers and business executives to discuss Montenegro’s path towards EU membership and its long-term economic development.
Organised by the Center for Finance and the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, under the patronage of President Jakov Milatović, the conference draws on the experiences of nine EU member states, focusing on institutional reform, competitiveness, investment and economic growth.
Addressing participants, President Milatović reiterated Montenegro’s ambition to become the EU’s 28th member by 2028, stressing that accession must deliver meaningful reforms rather than merely legislative alignment.
He highlighted political commitment, institutional independence and structural transformation as essential conditions for successful integration.
The programme includes contributions from former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, senior representatives of European financial institutions and business leaders operating in Montenegro. A dedicated session featuring 2024 Nobel laureate in Economics James A. Robinson will explore the relationship between institutions and economic development.
The conference comes just days after Montenegro provisionally closed three additional EU accession negotiation chapters on 12 October, providing fresh momentum to discussions about the country’s European future.
