EU-Western Balkans Summit Prep: European Council President António Costa kicked off a Western Balkans tour in Bosnia, saying this week’s EU summit in Montenegro is meant to prove enlargement is “real,” while urging BiH to accelerate judicial reforms, appoint a chief negotiator and implement its reform agenda to avoid losing €108m and risking another €373m in EU funding. Montenegro’s Accession Momentum: In Podgorica, Montenegro’s European Affairs minister Maida Gorčević said Montenegro is “front of the line” with Germany and France backing the push to close all EU negotiation chapters by end-2026, highlighting a working group for drafting the accession treaty. Regional Connectivity: Montenegro resumed seasonal ferries linking Budva and Kotor with Dubrovnik, with six weekly sailings on the Budva–Dubrovnik route and three on Kotor–Dubrovnik through Sept. 30, aimed at easing summer road and border congestion. Diplomatic Note: President Jakov Milatović sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev for Independence Day, stressing close bilateral ties and promising an official visit later this year. EU Enlargement Politics: Ireland’s EU presidency priorities include enlargement and moving accession forward efficiently, with Montenegro described as “best in class.” International Crime Probe (Montenegro link): Europol’s Project A.S.S.E.T operation identified hundreds of millions of forints in assets tied to Hungarian-linked investigations, with Montenegro among participating countries coordinating on money-laundering and organised crime cases.