The chief negotiator of Montenegro with the European Union (EU), Zorka Kordić, said that forces and resources in the negotiations with the EU will be focused on the rule of law, which is required by the new methodology, but that, in parallel, they will have to have dynamic activity in all negotiation chapters.
"Which, although we cannot now formally pretend to be closed due to the wider context and rules that are first of all outlined in our negotiation framework, we still have significant activity, because all other sectoral chapters of the negotiations are important to us for the so-called early measures of integration from the new methodology", said Kordić at the session of the Committee for European Integration.
Before the Board, a consultative hearing of Kordić was held on the topic: "Negotiation structure for negotiations on the accession of Montenegro to the EU and the application of the new methodology of the EU enlargement policy".
She said that the new methodology introduces a stronger political dimension into the entire integration process, and that in addition to a strong focus on the rule of law, chapters 23 and 24 must have a comprehensive approach to each individual chapter of the negotiations.
Dragan Bojović (DF) asked at what point they could become a member of the EU and whether the enlargement process was really "unlocked" with the new negotiation methodology.
"We are a country that has broken all records in negotiations," said Bojović.
Kordić replied that the strategic documents of the EU and the European Commission write about the perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans, and the year 2025 is mentioned as a target that "in some way, can strategically lead this process".
"It should definitely be a guide, because the administration needs to have a time frame... The date of membership and membership depends on the political will of each individual EU member state, and that is why it is important for us that in addition to this expert dimension, we also work on the political dimension and dialogue and with each EU member state individually...", said Kordić.
Predrag Sekulić (DPS) asked whether there is a threat of a standstill in negotiations with the EU if prosecutorial laws are adopted contrary to the position of the Venice Commission.
Kordić pointed out that the response of the Supreme Court was moderate and graded, as well as that the constructive approach of the Government in considering the previous recommendations of the Supreme Court and the fact that the law that would abolish the Special State Prosecutor's Office was abandoned was praised.
"We really have a chance this year, if we commit ourselves to the rule of law, to convince both the European Commission and the member states that we are approaching the fulfillment of the temporary benchmarks and to negotiate with them on defining the final benchmarks," said Kordić.
She said that the collegium for negotiations is the hierarchically largest body in the structure for negotiations with the EU and is made up of the prime minister, vice-presidents in accordance with the old decision on the negotiation structure that is being changed these days, the minister of foreign affairs, the chief negotiator and, if necessary, the relevant minister or minister and negotiator when the topic from one of the negotiation chapters is important.
She pointed out that the Council for the Rule of Law, which was formed in February 2021, is an important link in the negotiation structure, since it deals with addressing all the challenges arising from the implementation of Chapters 23 and 24.
Next in the negotiation level is, as she said, the so-called negotiation group, which represents direct assistance to the chief negotiator in directing further activities from the negotiation process.
She pointed out that not all heads of working groups have been appointed yet and that it should be completed in two months.
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