Membership status: Candidate country

In 2006 Montenegro's parliament declared independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. In 2008, the new country applied for EU membership.

In 2010, the Commission issued a favourable opinion on Montenegro's application, identifying 7 key priorities that would need to be addressed for negotiations to begin, and the Council granted it candidate status.

In December 2011, the Council launched the accession process with a view to opening negotiations in June 2012.

The accession negotiations with Montenegro started on 29 June 2012.