Ireland’s Minister Thomas Byrne says he hopes to conclude Montenegro’s EU enlargement negotiations by 2026 with Ireland’s Council Presidency goals.
In a podcast with the Institute of International and European Affairs, a research tank in Dublin, Byrne stated that completing talks with Montenegro "would be a job well done," in addition to advancing the next EU budget.
In an effort to expedite seeking EU membership, Montenegro is on a charm offensive. Bloomberg previously reported that the nation of slightly over 600,000 aims to join the EU by 2028 and make its de facto usage of the Euro official.
Byrne stated that he would like to "get Albania further along and get them into a situation where they'd be in a year later," even though Podgorica's application was the main topic of his remarks. He also advocated for the advancement of talks with all EU candidate nations.
After the Danish Council Presidency finishes at the end of 2025, Copenhagen will pass the reins to Cyprus for the first half of 2026. After then, a new trio takes over: first Ireland, followed by Lithuania, and then Greece.
When asked about collaboration with Vilnius and Athens, Byrne emphasized that despite their distance from one another, the three are linked by the sea.
The Russian shadow fleet is at the forefront of sea-based concerns. Byrne underlined that Ireland has a number of undersea cables in its waters, as well as a gas link.
Byrne also stated that Ireland's Council Presidency will prioritize security and defense, but he aimed to reassure Irish listeners that Ireland's constitutional neutrality would not be jeopardized.
“I’m clear with the public, we’re not joining NATO, we’re neutral. That’s not on the agenda, it’s not going to happen,”
he said.
“If there was ever a proposal for European common defence, we wouldn’t be joining that anyway, either way.”
How might Ireland's Council Presidency influence other member states' votes on Montenegro?
As Presidency holder, Ireland chairpersons Council working groups and COREPER, advancing Montenegro's concession chapters( 6 provisionally closed; aim for all by late 2026). Minister Thomas Byrne's public commitment signals intent to finalize specialized checks, erecting instigation and obliging dalliers via progress reports.
Ireland's small- state,pro-enlargement station( historically probative of Western Balkans) fosters agreement among skeptical members( e.g., France, Netherlands on rule- of- law marks). Bilateral meetings( e.g., Byrne- Gorčević) and triad collaboration( Lithuania/ Greece) enable side deals, reducing proscription pitfalls in QMV votes.
The presidency does not mandate votes but shapes concession textbooks; Ireland can punctuate Montenegro's bar reforms and profitable alignment, swaying undecided countries. Success hinges on merit- grounded progress; failure pitfalls counterreaction, delaying Albania/ Serbia too.