Juncker expects Serbia, Montenegro to join EU before 2025

"I do think that the two countries will be members of the European Union before 2025," Juncker said during a joint press briefing with Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov in Brussels, according to a transcript of his answers to reporters' questions posted on the website of the Commission on Wednesday. 

In September, the EC said it plans to prepare a strategy for the accession of Serbia and Montenegro to the EU with a 2025 perspective. The strategy will have a particular emphasis on the rule of law, fundamental rights, the fight against corruption and on the overall stability of the region, the Commission said in a letter of intent to the European Parliament president Antonio Tajani dated September 13.

The strategy for the accession of the two countries should be ready in the first quarter of 2018, the Commission said in its Work Programme for 2018. 

Serbia has started talks on 10 of the 35 chapters of EU law and has closed negotiations on two - Chapter 25 - Science & Research and Chapter 26 - Education & Culture.

Montenegro has started talks on 28 out of the 35 chapters of EU body of law and has provisionally closed negotiations on three, namely Chapter 30 - External Relations, Chapter 25 - Science & Research and Chapter 26 - Education & Culture.