Podgorica, (MINA) – President Jakov Milatovic has invited leaders of political parties to a meeting aimed at, as he said, overcoming the political and institutional crisis in Montenegro and speeding up the country’s European path.

Speaking at the press conference, Milatovic said that the crisis was caused by the adoption of the laws on internal affairs and the National Security Agency (ANB).

“The vote in the Constitutional Court is the result of the long-term failure to elect the two missing judges of the Court”, said Milatovic.

He noted that Montenegro is in the final phase of the European integration process and that, ahead of important meetings with EU representatives, he proposed seven steps to overcome the crisis and speed up the European path.

Milatovic stated that the first step is the adoption of laws on internal affairs and ANB, harmonized with the EU acquis and the Constitution.

The second step, as explained by Milatovic, is the return of the opposition to parliamentary bodies, while the third is the election of two Constitutional Court judges.

He said that the fourth step is to resume the work of the Comprehensive Electoral Reform Committee, and the fifth is to define a clear agenda for the parliament for this year, with the aim of ensuring more efficient adoption of EU-related laws. 

The sixth step, according to Milatovic, is to intensify the dialogue with Croatia to resolve open issues, while the seventh envisages the formation of a state council for European integration, which would bring together the top state officials, opposition leaders and relevant social actors.

Asked what he would do if the laws on internal affairs and ANB are re-adopted on Thursday in the Parliament in their unchanged form, Milatovic said that he would act in line with the Constitution and sign and promulgate them.

He said that he is ready to meet the leaders of the parties on Thursday, if there is political will.

When asked if he expects support from the government and the opposition, Milatovic said that he does “if they genuinely support for European integration”.

He also announced an initiative to amend the Constitution, proposing that laws returned by the President for reconsideration to the Parliament would have to be adopted by a qualified majority.