Nine countries are candidates to join the European Union, but one is ahead in the race: Montenegro. The country of just over 600,000 people is aiming to wrap up accession talks next year and join the bloc as early as January 2028.

Deputy Prime Minister Filip Ivanović explains why the EU could pay a "huge" geopolitical cost and risk "losing credibility" if it fails to welcome Montenegro, and urges Brussels to show other countries working to become EU-ready that their efforts are not in vain.

This interview was conducted during Euronews’ Enlargement Summit on 4 November. Find out more about the event on euronews.com

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