Hungarians will help, even though they don't care too much about the EU
Although Hungary is seriously collapsing the EU's value system, it has not blocked enlargement, says Nikoleta Đukanović. When the closing of the chapter begins, the possible date for membership will be discussed more seriously, says Ćerimagić
If the reforms are not stopped and the government does not take a "detour", Montenegro can also expect Hungary's support in negotiations with Brussels, even though that country continuously violates the Treaty of Lisbon and seriously collapses the value system of the European Union (EU).
This was assessed by the interlocutors of "Vijesti", answering the question whether Hungary's upcoming six-month presidency of the Council of the EU could be a good opportunity for Montenegro's progress in negotiations with Brussels, or whether nothing will change on that front.
Docent at the University of Donja Gorica Nikoleta Djukanovic, says that Hungary is one of the EU members that continuously violates Article 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon and seriously undermines the value system of the EU, "forcing the primacy of forces that are against further communitarianization of policies and strengthening of the EU at the expense of the national member state".
In the aforementioned article of the Treaty of Lisbon, it is written that the EU is based on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of members of minorities.
That is why, says Đukanović, it is logical to expect that the further strengthening and expansion of the Union will not be a priority for Hungary, as is the case with the founding states of the EU, which are considered strong Eurofederal supporters of further expansion.
She emphasized that, nevertheless, Hungary did not block the enlargement, nor did it block the adoption of the positive Report on the Assessment of the Fulfillment of Temporary Benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 (IBAR) for Montenegro.
"I don't expect a different attitude in the coming period as well, if Montenegro fulfills what it promises to Brussels," says the interviewee.
Analyst of the European Stability Initiative (ESI) from Berlin Adnan Ćerimagić, reminds that the EU is still occupied with the election of the new European Commission and key positions in the EU, but also with navigating through national elections, especially in France and the possible consequences of the elections in the USA.
"In this regard, and especially taking into account that after the formal opening of negotiations, it will take some time for Moldova and Ukraine to be on the EU's agenda again, the enlargement policy will not be high on the Union's agenda", he assesses.
As he added, Hungary announced that it will still try to put some decisions related to the region on the agenda, primarily the formal opening of negotiations with BiH, but also the opening of chapters and clusters with other countries. He adds that, in the case of Montenegro, the next steps in the process are closing chapters, some of which are already ready.
"This is necessary in order to finally begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel of membership negotiations. As the closing of the chapter begins, the possible date for membership will be discussed more and more seriously," Ćerimagić pointed out.
He said that if the reforms in Montenegro do not stop and "the government does not go astray", he believes that it will be possible at the same time as the talks on the new financial framework of the EU, which will start soon.
Hungary took over the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU from Belgium on 1 July. Under the slogan "Let's make Europe great again", which is similar to the slogan of the former president of the United States of America Donald Trump "Make America Great Again," Hungary is focusing on seven thematic areas during its presidency, officials said. Among them will be a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy, with the message that the EU cannot be complete without the accession of the Western Balkans.
Other priorities are improving competitiveness and strengthening the EU's defense policy, combating illegal migration, shaping the future of cohesion policy, promoting a farmer-oriented agricultural policy and solving demographic challenges.
During the presidency, the presiding country leads the meetings of the EU Council and represents the Council in relations with other EU institutions, such as the European Commission and the European Parliament.
During its presidency, Hungary plans to organize an EU-Western Balkans summit in the region and to hold intergovernmental conferences with candidate countries, "when appropriate."
Undeserved entry into the EU is one of the worst scenarios
Nikoleta Đukanović says that she is not even sure that the help of any member state would mean much to Montenegro to enter the Union undeservedly, because it is one of the worst scenarios, "very expensive and difficult for Montenegrin citizens".
"So the only thing left for us is to work diligently to strengthen our system in accordance with international and European standards, pass good laws, strengthen institutions and administrative capacities, and prepare the economy for the large EU market, so that the member states can only verify concrete results ”, she said.
( Željka Vučinić )