Montenegro’s 2026 Chairmanship

Montenegro’s chairmanship represents both recognition of its longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and European integration and an opportunity to contribute actively to stability, connectivity and prosperity in the Western Balkans.

The chairmanship has taken place in a particularly significant year for Montenegro, marked by the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence and an intensified effort to advance towards the completion of its EU accession negotiations.

In 2026, Montenegro also hosted the EU-Western Balkans Summit, assumed the presidencies of the Western Balkans Fund and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), and is preparing to assume the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in November.

Against this broader foreign policy context, Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process has provided an opportunity to maintain momentum, strengthen regional ownership and contribute to concrete and lasting benefits for citizens, in line with the shared European future of the Western Balkans.