On 4th November 2025, the European Commission published its annual enlargement report, signalling a clear intent to welcome new members. Among the ten candidates, four stand out as likely to integrate the EU by 2029: the two frontrunners (Montenegro and Albania), followed by Moldova and Ukraine. After thirteen years of negotiations, Podgorica has opened all thirty-three chapters and closed seven, most within the past year, making the goal of “become number 28 by 2028” increas