WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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Author: M.J. Gdnus
The Parliament of Montenegro, in cooperation with the Ministry of European Affairs, organized a conference titled “The Future of EU Enlargement – The Future Is Now.”
The conference was opened by the President of the Parliament, Andrija Mandić, and the opening remarks were delivered by Marjan Šarec, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Montenegro; Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs; and Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro.
In his opening speech, Andrija Mandić stated that this was a very important meeting.
"This parliamentary majority, in full partnership with the Government, will close all negotiation chapters. I also highlight the role of the opposition in this process,” said Mandić.
He noted that both the majority and, as he put it, the constructive opposition, would do everything within their power to fulfill the necessary obligations.
"Our EU membership also depends on the other EU member states. Enlargement is not just a vision; it is a necessity. Montenegro is ready to be part of the solution. The EU process is not only technical but deeply political, social, economic, and cultural,” said Mandić.
The European Parliament’s rapporteur for Montenegro, Marjan Šarec, stated that Montenegro made significant progress from 2023 to 2024, and that both the government and the opposition participated in closing negotiation chapters.
"The tasks are clear — the fight against organized crime and corruption, judicial reform, media freedom, countering the influence of third countries, and let’s not forget electoral law reform. Local elections should be held on the same day because constant electoral campaigns hinder the functioning of political institutions. Montenegro is a small country that cannot disrupt the EU’s order, and its symbolic entry into the EU would be invaluable. Montenegro should draw strength from its rich history as an independent and sovereign country with no inferiority complex toward others. Long live Montenegro," said Šarec.
He also mentioned that Montenegro’s relations with Croatia are still not ideal.
Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević said that European integration represents the fulfillment of a generational dream for Montenegro — one of social and economic transformation.
Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, emphasized that the country still has a long way to go in the European integration process, but that progress is being made.
"Montenegro is a frontrunner in this process and has taken additional steps to align with our foreign policy regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I believe Montenegro is in a good position," he stated.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration Ivan Vuković (DPS) said that for the opposition, EU integration is the absolute priority and that they will always support any act by the Government that brings Montenegro closer to the EU.
"However, Montenegro has become a battleground for various ideas. There are actors — including some within the government — who want to prevent this process. They can be recognized by the latest European Parliament resolution, by their fascination with Vladimir Putin, their obedience to Aleksandar Vučić, and their solidarity with Milorad Dodik.
As a result of their influence, this Parliament recently passed a controversial resolution on Jasenovac, aimed at damaging our good neighborly relations with Croatia. Following that, they made an unconstitutional decision to retire a Constitutional Court judge, triggering the worst parliamentary crisis in the past 10 years," Vuković emphasized.
He added that parts of the government are targeting the media and civil society.
"This is the biggest obstacle between us and our European future," he said.
Reinhold Lopatka, MEP from Austria’s People’s Party, said that safeguarding media freedom is very important in the context of EU integration and that having independent media is crucial.
Vice President of Parliament Nikola Rakočević (DPS) stated that it was the opposition that led Montenegro into NATO in 2017 and that opened the process of joining the EU.
"There is a threat that Montenegro’s European path could be slowed down. Since this Parliament was constituted, constant provocations have taken place. In the main office in this building, there is the flag of another country. The Montenegrin flag was removed from the Parliament’s hall. A new logo was introduced, associated with the dissolution of the state in 1918. All of this is done to polarize society and divert Montenegro from the path toward the EU," said Rakočević.
He also stated that relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to those with Croatia, have worsened, and that partnerships with Dodik are being strengthened.
"With a clear directive from Belgrade, Montenegro’s EU path is being obstructed," he concluded.
Vasilije Čarapić (PES) stated that his party is a reliable partner to the EU.
"We believe we’ve already proven ourselves in this area and will continue to be a political force that brings change and brings Montenegro closer to the EU. We are the party of good ancestors for our descendants. Whenever someone tries to revive the issues of the past, we say that we are the future — now," he said.
Abaz Dizdarević (DPS) said it is up to the EU parliamentarians to judge whether some members of the ruling coalition are genuinely committed to EU membership.
"A resolution was recently adopted in the European Parliament stating that the ghosts of the past are being awakened in Montenegro. These ghosts are not being awakened by the opposition, but by the current majority — as was the case during our accession to NATO, when the process was obstructed," he said.
He then displayed a photo of the Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić with Vladimir Putin during his visit to Belgrade in 2019.
Edina Dešić from the Bosniak Party reminded that 80% of Montenegrin citizens support EU membership, which represents the broadest consensus in the country.
"We are continuing with reforms and progress, because Montenegro’s future belongs to the European Union," Dešić emphasized.
Boris Mugoša (SD) stated that the Parliament’s oversight role has been reduced to a minimum — of 13 scheduled Prime Minister’s Question Times, only seven have taken place. The opposition cannot properly oversee the executive, and the majority does not view strengthening parliamentary democracy as a priority.
"Recently, we heard from the majority that democracy is not the rule of law but the rule of the majority. For 13 months, this Parliament has blocked the appointment of a new Constitutional Court judge. For nine months after the resignation of two members of the Prosecutorial Council, we haven’t appointed new ones, because the majority refuses to do so. Three urgent requests from the prosecution to lift the immunity of a ruling MP have been sitting idle for 10 months. Illegal appointments are taking place in this Parliament," he added, stressing that historical revisionism and efforts to change the very nature of the state are present, along with the glorification of war criminals.
