European Commission concerned about malicious foreign interference: SPC's undue influence condemned

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

The European Commission's report on Montenegro, adopted today by the European Parliament, reiterates its concerns about foreign interference and security challenges on Montenegro's path to EU membership.

Point 8 of the report states that the European Commission "expresses serious concerns about malicious foreign interference, attempts at destabilization, cyberattacks, hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns, including attempts to influence political processes and public opinion, by third countries, which harm the reputation of the European Union and undermine Montenegro's progress on the path to membership".

Montenegro is called upon to introduce countermeasures in stronger cooperation with the EU and NATO, as well as through increased regional cooperation with the Western Balkan countries.

It points out that religious institutions can be used as a means of external influence and condemns any undue influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church in this context.

The EC reiterates the importance of building resilience to foreign information manipulation and interference, including through better media oversight, public information campaigns and media literacy programmes.

It is recommended that Montenegro establish a dedicated working group to counter hybrid threats.