Escobar: Parliament to fill all four vacancies in the Constitutional Court on February 27

The re-establishment of a quorum in the Constitutional Court, although a positive step forward, is not enough, assessed the special envoy of the United States of America for the Western Balkans Gabriel Eskobar, adding that all four vacancies must be filled in order for the institution to be truly functional.
Eskobar told the Mina agency that the Montenegrin parliament should fill all four vacancies in the Constitutional Court at its session on Monday.
He assessed that a competent and fully functional Constitutional Court is necessary for the protection of democratic institutions and citizens' rights in Montenegro and a prerequisite for solving the current political crisis in the country.
Reestablishing the quorum, although a positive step forward, is not enough. All four vacant seats in the Constitutional Court must be filled in order for this institution to be truly functional - believes Eskobar.
He said that anything less than that leads to the risk of deepening the political crisis in Montenegro.
After the re-establishment of a fully functional Constitutional Court, early parliamentary elections are the only way for a democratic solution to the current crisis - said Eskobar.
These elections, as he stated, can restore citizens' trust in the government and are a clear path for continued progress towards the European Union.
According to Eskobar, in order for the elections to be successful and democratic, the government must conduct them professionally, non-partisan and responsibly, in accordance with international democratic norms and Montenegrin laws.
When asked how the eventual signing of the German-French plan to resolve the dispute between Serbia and Kosovo would affect regional stability, Eskobar replied that the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, through dialogue mediated by the EU, remains key to regional and European stability.
Since the brutal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and other malignant influences are trying to sow division - Eskobar added.
He concluded that normalization will open the door for the political and economic integration of Serbia and Kosovo in Europe and contribute to greater stability and prosperity throughout the Western Balkans.
M. J.