The European Commission presented member states with three possible approaches to future EU enlargement, but the proposal for so-called reverse enlargement — under which new members would join with limited rights and privileges — was met with near-unanimous rejection from member state ambassadors.

The concept was put forward with the aim of avoiding situations where new members could impose vetoes. The proposal was rejected during diplomatic discussions in Brussels regarding Montenegro's accession process.

The Commission considered three scenarios: first, maintaining current practice and membership criteria; second, gradual integration into certain European policies in parallel with negotiation progress; and third — the rejected scenario of limited membership with gradually expanding rights. Several member states remained open to the second scenario, which would give candidate countries access to certain initiatives, such as the SEPA payment system.

Montenegro has set the ambitious goal of becoming the EU's 28th member by 2028, but significant hurdles remain — 20 of 33 negotiation chapters still need to be closed. France, ahead of its 2027 presidential elections, remains cautious about enlargement. Serbia has previously expressed willingness to join without full veto rights.