Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro does not expect and does not want the EU to turn a blind eye or admit it to the European Union (EU) before it fully meets all the necessary conditions for full-fledged membership, said Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pazin.
Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Aivo Oran handed over to Pazin the European Commission’s (EC) 2019 Report on Montenegro.
Pazin remarked that the government would probably present some subjects in other light, in particular in regard to the results in fight against organized crime and meeting the requirements for opening of the only chapter left, and give suitable arguments for that.
“But it is the right of our partners in Brussels to give their own view of Montenegro’s progress in the previous period, and we respect it”, Pazin told the press conference.
According to him, Montenegro responsibly accepts the work ahead of it, and also expects that its efforts and results will be recognized and confirmed in a timely manner.
“Montenegro’s membership in the EU is possible only if we are equally interested in it, both we and our European partners”, Pazin added.
According to Pazin, the current EC assembly showed that the enlargement policy was alive, and added that the results of the elections for the new European Parliament are the encouragement that the new EC will intensify promotion of such politics.
He stressed that the leading position of Montenegro in the current EU enlargement policy is not only an epithet, but also an obligation.
Montenegro, he said, proved that its institutions are capable of implementing the laws without exception.
Pazin expressed belief that the Report will be a clear indication to all EU member states that Montenegro has achieved notable progress in the area of the rule of law and that it is willing to open negotiations by the end of the year in the remaining Chapter 8, but also to obtain the closing benchmarks in chapters 23 and 24.
He announced that the Government will pay special attention this year to fulfilling certain recommendations he believes can contribute to further strengthening of credibility and trust in the institutions of the system.
Orav stated that the EC published the Strategy for the Western Balkans a year ago, which stated that the enlargement is possible if certain criteria are met, and that essence of that process is represented in chapters 23 and 24.
“We hope that Montenegro will be the first country to meet the interim benchmarks regarding those chapters”, said Orav.
He said that the Report noted, concerning political criteria, that there is low level of confidence in electoral process, and that this electoral framework should be revised.
Orav emphasized that the boycott of the parliament by the opposition MPs was current last year, as well as the protests of the citizens, adding that Brussels believes that all accusations regarding corruption demand credible and thorough approach and responses.
“We also believe that returning of political debate to the parliament is a responsibility of all actors”, Orav said.
Orav said that certain progress was noted regarding fight against corruption, but, as he stated, credibility, independence and defining priorities with the Anti-Corruption Agency are necessary.
He noted that progress was not observed in the field of freedom of expression and added that RTCG’s independence is a very serious problem.
He remarked that the report is a good document, for the government primarily, but also for the opposition, as well as that the EU will support the Government in implementation of the recommended measures and assist it financially.
Asked if he believed that processing Slavoljub Stijepovic would be an adequate response to the Envelope affair, Pazin said that there is no untouchable individuals in democracy, but did not want to comment on possible Prosecution’s decisions.
Asked if Montenegro is still a leader in the region in the integration, Orav said that it is a fact, and that Montenegro opened almost all chapters, and that he encourages it to continue towards that goal.
Longer version of article is available on a link MINA ENGLISH SERVIS
