Podgorica, (MINA) – Data from the latest Eurobarometer, published on Europe Day, represent a strong public mandate for institutions, especially the Parliament, to continue delivering results on the European path, said Deputy Parliament Speaker and member of the Europe Now Movement (PES) Presidency Boris Pejovic.

 

In an interview with the MINA News Agency, Pejovic said that he believes that there is no formal or any other rational basis for slowing down the dynamics of the parliament’s work, or the pace of European integration.

 

Asked how many laws that require a two-thirds majority should be adopted by the Parliament by the end of the year in order to achieve the ambitious goal of closing all negotiation chapters, he stated that “when we talk about those laws, we are not only talking about parliamentary arithmetic, but about political responsibility towards the clear European orientation of citizens”.

 

“But it is not only about laws. We are also facing important constitutional changes. We currently have several such proposals in the parliamentary procedure. Therefore, we are not merely changing individual rules, but improving the very foundations of the system – the supporting pillars of the state – in order to align them with European standards”, said Pejovic.

 

He said that another important priority is strengthening the independence of the judiciary and prosecution.

 

“We must no longer allow the the judiciary, prosecution or police leaderships to be linked to party interests or organized crime. Citizens must have confidence that the law applies equally to all and that the institutions work in the interest of the state, not any party or individual”, Pejovic stressed.

 

According to him, there is also the continuation of work on changes to the Law on the Election of Councilors and Members of Parliament, so that the election rules are additionally harmonized with the recommendations of international partners.

 

Asked to comment on the announcement by the head of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) parliamentary group Andrija Nikolic, that the party would no longer cooperate with the parliamentary majority nor support the Government’s proposals, until the laws on the National Security Agency (ANB) and on internal affairs are withdrawn, Pejovic said that, unfortunately, such exclusivity is not good for European integration or for the opposition itself.

 

He said that the proposed constitutional amendments have been agreed with the European Commission (EC), and are part of the Reform Agenda, and that whether Montenegro will receive EUR 5 million from the EU Growth Plan depends on the outcome of the vote.

 

He said that Prime Minister Milojko Spajic has repeatedly openly called on the opposition to cooperate with the ruling majority on Montenegro’s European integration path.

 

“We have always been open, and in practice we have proven that numerous challenges can be solved through dialogue, from the census process to the election of Constitutional Court judges. Therefore, we do not offer an exclusive, but rather a constructive approach and goodwill from all parties”, Pejovic added.

 

Asked whether he believes that Montenegro can close the remaining negotiation chapters by the end of the year, given the pace since the beginning of this year, he said that optimism is justified, considering the pace and quality of work of the Montenegrin administration, as well as confirmations coming from senior EU officials that concrete progress has been registered in the mandate of the current Government.

 

“However, it is crucial that there is finally both focus and political will in Montenegro’s pursuit to become a full EU member, and I believe that the current work will pay off in the end, and that all citizens of Montenegro will benefit greatly from our EU integration”, concluded Pejovic.