Podgorica, (MINA) – A requirement for the Western Balkans to join the European Union (EU) is the establishment of rule-of-law states in which criminals are prosecuted rather than holding positions of power, it was stated during the panel “Democratic alternatives: building the European future of the Western Balkans” at the regional plenum “Cracks in Democracy: Nationalism and Clericalism in the Western Balkans”.

The regional plenum is organized by the Center for Civic Education (CGO), the Regional Academy for the Development of Democracy (ADD) from Novi Sad, the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo (FPN) and the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES).

Leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Danijel Zvkovic said, answering the question from moderator Aleksandra Jerkov from ADD, that the EU integration process has taken too long for the entire region and that it has been neglected by many actors, recalling that the DPS-led government opened negotiations with the EU in 2012.

 

He stated that today populists and nationalists are in power in Montenegro and that “populists have enabled nationalists to gain momentum in topics such as historical revisionism and the collapse of institutions”.

Zivkovic expressed skepticism about claims that Montenegro could join the EU in 2028.

“I am afraid that we will not finish the integration process by the end of 2026. In five years, we have closed four chapters, we should close five chapters by the end of the year, and many more next year, and I am not sure that it will be possible, considering how the government is behaving”, Zivkovic said.

The leader of the Democratic Party (DS) from Serbia, Srdjan Milivojevic, said that Serbia is currently the country in the spotlight of European publi, but that a distinction should be made between Serbia and the country’s president, Aleksandar Vucic.

 

 

According to Milivojevic, Serbia has not stopped on the EU path, “it is rapidly going in reverse”, because “Vucic does not want Serbia in the EU, but the young generation has decided for the EU”.

He said that Vucic’s supporters in Montenegro are slowly distancing themselves from him, as Milorad Dodik did before.

“Vucic threatens the vital national interests of both Montenegro and Serbia. Montenegro’s interest is to join the EU, as soon as possible. Vucic will try to trip up Montenegro on its way to the EU through prepaid politicians, but I guarantee you that this will not happen”, said Milivojevic.

 

 

Leader of Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, Venko Filipce, said that European integration is a reality for Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia.

“But, at the same time, we see tensions in the countries, and the main problem is that the extremists dominate the public narrative and they do everything they can to maintain the atmosphere of tension because this is their guarantee of staying in power”, said Filipce.

 

 

Member of the Presidency of the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Damir Masic, when asked about the solution to the divisions in society, said that the truth is the only solution.

He stated that the concept of “Serbian world” best illustrates how the Russian malignant influence tries to keep Balkan countries in the permanent status quo.

“Constant interference in internal affairs by the regime in Belgrade is unacceptable. I am glad that after some time, that message is much clearer today”, said Masic.

He argues that BiH and Montenegro, as multi-ethnic states, were most exposed to malignant influences.