EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro: EU leaders pushed a faster path to enlargement, with France and Germany backing “gradual integration” for Western Balkan candidates—potentially letting reforming states join parts of the EU before full membership; Montenegro was repeatedly flagged as the frontrunner aiming for 2028. Energy & Grid Modernisation: Montenegro’s power distributor CEDIS signed a tripartite technical partnership with France’s AFD and EDF International Networks to modernise the electricity distribution network, including digitalisation, smart grids and resilience, with up to €290,000 in technical assistance and further support for substation upgrades. Environment & Biodiversity: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves to its World Network, bringing Montenegro’s Lake Skadar Basin into the global system for the first time. EU Watch on Tourism Development: Brussels warned Albania that a Kushner-linked luxury resort plan could jeopardise EU accession progress over environmental rules, after protests over impacts on protected wildlife areas. Water Use Snapshot (Montenegro in focus): A World Bank-based ranking put Montenegro among the highest freshwater users per capita worldwide. US-Azerbaijan Energy Role: The US signalled a bigger role in Azerbaijan’s pipeline and Middle Corridor energy transit plans, underlining ongoing regional infrastructure competition.