EC Briefing — Tuesday, 16 June 2026

The Read-Out

— 2 min read

Key Points

  • The EU aims for Montenegro to become the 28th member by 2028, contingent on meeting accession criteria.
  • The College of Commissioners will adopt the annual management and performance report for the 2025 EU budget today.
  • A communication on the European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Destroying Video Games" will also be adopted.
  • Discussions at the Health Council will address biotechnology proposals and the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • The EU emphasizes tech sovereignty and cybersecurity in response to US export controls on advanced AI models.
  • Ongoing contact with Anthropic aims to ensure compliance with EU legislation on AI and cybersecurity.

Full Transcript

Transcribed automatically from EbS (Europe by Satellite) · English audio track · AI-generated · May contain errors · Verify before quoting

Commissioner: Madam President, President Milatovic just stated 28 by 28. Do you think this goal is achievable for Montenegro? And President Milatovic, just a short comment about non-papers in terms of the enlargement that is already circulating among diplomacy. How do you assess the attitude of member states? Thank you very much. Well, I can start by saying that we've always been of the firm opinion that where speed and goals and objectives are fulfilled by a candidate country, then we should match that speed and those objectives. So I can be very clear in saying that we would be a very, very keen supporter to have Montenegro in the European Union as soon as everything is reached, and it could not be sooner. I can be very open. I mean, let me just remind everybody that the last time the EU Parliament ratified an accession treaty of a forthcoming member state was December 2011, and that was the case of Croatia back then. So almost 15 years ago. And I'm very much hopeful that this European Parliament will be able to also write its own history and ratify an accession treaty, hopefully, at least of one candidate country, which I hope it will be Montenegro. And, you know, to that regard, you know, I'm genuinely determined to do everything which is needed and required so that Montenegro becomes the 28th member state of the EU by 2028. When it comes to the non-papers that you have mentioned, I, you know, first of all, let me be very clear that Montenegro is in a very unique situation. We are the only country with whom the European Council has already initiated a working group for the drafting of the accession treaty. And this is something that was also confirmed by all the EU leaders at the summit in Montenegro. But generally on the topic, I, you know, tend to see the non-papers as the way of the EU leaders to bring the new momentum generally for the enlargement process. Thank you very much. Transcribed by https://otter.ai Edited by https://otter.ai Copyright © 2020, New Thinking Allowed Foundation

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