Chief Negotiator with the European Union, Predrag Zenović, in an interview with Dan, stated that Montenegro is on the right path to becoming an EU member, and receiving a positive IBAR represents a crucial step in this process.
“However, I believe that Montenegro’s success story can also be significant for the European Union because it confirms that the enlargement process, as the EU’s strongest foreign policy tool, is still alive after a decade of stagnation and remains relevant. The European Union is a community of values, rights, and principles – it is not just a geopolitical reality. Therefore, it is important that the process continues to be based on performance and merits in the reform process,” Zenović said in the interview with Dan.
He emphasized that Montenegro is a bright European story, and we must do everything to keep it that way. The final outcome depends solely on our ability and determination to complete the last part of this process, which has lasted a very long time and has been quite demanding, especially for the administration, which bore the greatest burden – chapter by chapter, benchmark by benchmark.
“The Government of Montenegro and other system institutions, civil society, and the expert public have done significant work, but there are still steps to be taken to become a full EU member,” the chief negotiator highlighted.
In Montenegro, strong political turbulence is visible. Some parties are announcing a withdrawal of confidence in the Government, and constant pressures can lead to the instability of the executive power. How can all this affect Montenegro’s European path?
“Political stability is key to progress in the European integration process. Although political dynamics are normal in any democracy, especially in those that Lijphart calls consensual, which depend on coalition arrangements, they must not jeopardize our path to the EU. Consensus on Montenegro’s European future must be above political divisions. This is the experience of all member states – without European consensus, there is no membership. Democratic political struggle is, of course, legitimate, but it must not lead to the destabilization of the executive power and the slowing down of reforms. Institutions and the administrative apparatus must be immune to political dynamics – that is the goal of the European path. Our greatest responsibility is to maintain political stability and focus on achieving European integration goals.”
A lot of work has been done, which has allowed you, as the chief negotiator, to present arguments to European partners. However, 12 so-called IBAR laws have been adopted, two of which the President of Montenegro returned to the Assembly for reconsideration. Will these laws, after we receive “approval” from the EU, be reconsidered by the Venice Commission and the European Commission due to possible inconsistencies with our Constitution?
“These are 12 laws in less than half a year, eight essential for the functioning of the judicial and prosecutorial system, media laws, and systemic laws in the area of corruption and confiscation. This is a huge undertaking primarily by officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Culture and Media. These laws have received the approval of the Venice Commission and the European Commission and have passed the test of the domestic legal system. After receiving a positive IBAR, all adopted laws will be carefully analyzed to ensure they are fully aligned with our Constitution and European standards. The Constitutional Court has its clear competences here. If any discrepancies arise, the laws will be reconsidered, possibly consulting the Venice Commission and the European Commission. Our goal is for all laws to comply with the best legal standards and practices and to enhance the rule of law in Montenegro.”
What awaits us after receiving a positive IBAR?
“Receiving a positive IBAR, according to the New Methodology from 2020, allows us to move to the next phase of the process – closing the remaining chapters. Also, after receiving a positive IBAR, we will receive final benchmarks for negotiation chapters 23 and 24. This will require intensive work and coordination of all relevant institutions to ensure that we meet all necessary criteria. We must prepare roadmaps for each chapter and continue with reforms in areas such as agriculture, energy, transportation, the environment, social policy, and others. We will take advantage of the Hungarian EU presidency, which starts on July 1 and lasts until the end of the year, and their support for the enlargement policy towards the Western Balkans to prepare and close as many negotiation chapters as possible. It is crucial now to maintain the pace and commitment to the goal and to use this window of opportunity.”
What is Montenegro’s position after the European elections? Better or worse, or does it not affect our European path at all?
“Montenegro’s position after the European elections remains stable, but political and geopolitical developments in Europe can affect the dynamics of the enlargement process. Therefore, the accession process is a merit-based process of alignment with the acquis, but politics and geopolitics determine its speed. Member states and the European Parliament can accelerate or slow down our path to membership with their positions and policies, but essentially, the negotiation process with the European Commission remains the same: we must meet all rules, criteria, and standards. The European elections have shown that the far-right is slightly growing, but not in the eastern wing of the community, where some expected it. It remains fragmented and disunited on a large number of issues, so it will not find its clear political articulation. I do not think the attitude towards enlargement will change, especially not towards the Western Balkans. This region historically, politically, and geostrategically belongs to the European Union, and I am confident that all relevant political actors in the region share this knowledge. In Montenegro, there are no political parties with an anti-European discourse, civil society is strongly pro-European, and citizens largely support EU accession. In this way, we can add the most beautiful hues of Euro-optimism to the European palette of political ideas, similar to those brought by the eastern members of the Union in the great enlargement 20 years ago. The European idea must be lived, but also constantly revived with new strength, new enthusiasm, and the idea of building our common European future. Montenegro will contribute to this idea.”
Recently, we have had some unresolved issues with Croatia. Alongside earlier disputes over the border at Prevlaka and ownership of the ship “Jadran,” we received a protest note due to the announced adoption of a resolution on Jasenovac.
Maintaining good relations with neighboring countries is crucial for our European path and one of the most important aspects of our foreign policy. Although there are some unresolved issues with Croatia, I believe that dialogue and diplomatic efforts will contribute to their resolution. International law and international relations have a whole range of tools for resolving open issues. Facing the past and nurturing a culture of remembrance are important for reconciliation, but these issues should be addressed in good faith, respect, and a spirit of good neighborliness. Member states that have gone through the same path that we are now going through had the following principle: resolve bilateral issues separately and separate them from the European integration process. Therefore, it is important to continue building good neighborly relations, strengthen diplomatic channels in the time ahead, and free the negotiation process from possible open issues.
