The subject of the analysis conducted in the article is the current social and economic situation of Montenegro – one of the candidate countries for the membership of the European Union. The research problem -is important due to the fact, that the Balkan countries are an enclave surrounded on all sides by the EU Member States. On the other hand, EU Member States have awareness of the increasingly visible influence of Russia, China or Turkey in this region, which in the future may threaten the EU’s policy of stabilisation and democratisation of the region, as well as reduce the sense of security in European societies. The article aims to determine the premises that will indicate the opportunities and threats to further socio-economic development of Montenegro and its proper economic prosperity, which can lead to accession in 2025. The future of accession to the EU depends on the fulfillment of socio-economic criteria, which were partly achieved as a result of the first stage of the country’s transformation process. Montenegro can also use the experience of the past – gained as a federal state – in this process, however, on the other hand, the quality of integration with Serbia will not be a valuable experience for entering the structures of the community with great economic, social and organisational potential.