The 2021 European Commission report on Montenegro outlines the progress and challenges in Montenegrin path towards the EU accession. The report notes that Montenegro has opened 33 negotiation chapters, with three provisionally closed. Progress in negotiations is closely tied to advancements in rule of law, particularly in Chapters 23 and 24. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic's impact, Montenegro continued to implement the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and maintained its commitment to European integration. However, the report highlights issues in political stability, governance, public administration reform, and the judiciary's independence. The economic impact of the pandemic, especially on the tourism-dependent economy, was significant, yet Montenegro managed to implement some economic reforms and maintain financial stability. The report underscores the need for Montenegro to address its challenges in rule of law, public administration, and economic diversification to advance its EU accession process.