EU Accession Roadmaps: The European Commission is drafting individual, measurable accession roadmaps for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, aiming to turn a long, open-ended process into one with clearer stages and indicative deadlines—an effort to make the “destination” feel as visible as the “road.” Montenegro Digital Infrastructure: Montenegro expects to sign a contract before end-2026 for a central government data centre with Hungary’s 4iG, consolidating government systems and adding a high-capacity fibre network; the contractor is also expected to develop and operate the facility. Renewables Push in the Region: Energy Week Western Balkans will run Oct. 6–7 in Budva, targeting 20 GW of new renewables by 2040 and bringing together policymakers, regulators, utilities and investors across the Western Balkans. Waste Management Gap: A new regional snapshot says Western Balkans still landfills over 83% of municipal waste (EU: 23%), with recycling stuck low and illegal dumping remaining common. Energy Security Coordination: The Energy Community Gas Forum backed common gas rules across borders, coordinated operation of supply routes, and closer implementation of EU network codes to reduce fragmentation risks. Tourism & Connectivity: easyJet plans 18 new UK routes for summer 2027, including services to Tivat, while Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor continues to draw attention as a tourism asset. Business Structure Reality Check: A Montenegro-focused analysis highlights that micro firms dominate the business register (95.9%), raising questions about how quickly small companies can absorb new tech like AI.