Abazović: It is clear that DPS is blocking Montenegro's European path

Prime Minister in technical mandate Dritan Abazović said today that after yesterday's refusal of the opposition to vote for judges of the Constitutional Court, it is clear who is blocking Montenegro's European path.

"The Venice Commission was clear, the European Commission was clear, and Mrs. (Ana) Pisonero last night, and I would ask everyone not to manipulate by constantly mentioning changes to the Law on the President, and not mentioning the judges of the Constitutional Court. That session was the first , was not voted on, because the DPS and other parties did not want to vote. If anyone has stopped the European road, it is them," Abazović said at a press conference with North Macedonia's head of diplomacy, Bujar Osmani.

He said that there are no more details about the cancellation of the session of the Parliamentary Committee of the European Union and Montenegro for Stabilization and Association (POSP), but that the EP has respect for the Montenegrin parliament.

"Dialogue between parliamentarians serves not only to share good news, but also when there are challenges to discuss it, so maybe some good and wise decision will come out of it. I don't think that Vladimir Bilčik decided to suspend this... I believe that is not a form of punishment but a form of political assessment, I expect the committees to meet in a new term".

He reminded that during 2020, Montenegro chaired the A5 initiative and had successful meetings.

The interest of A5, he added, is a long-term stable region and that the US and NATO must remain engaged in all fields in this region.

Osmani said that despite progress in recent decades, the region is facing new challenges, such as the echoes of the economic crisis, the post-pandemic period and the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Commenting on reports of bombs, he said that he thinks there will be more of them in the coming period, "you know who it benefits".

"The same thing happened in April when the new government was formed, the same thing happened in August when the vote of no confidence in the government was passed. You know who is up to the trouble in Montenegro, it was demonstrated last night".

Abazović said he understands the parents, but the competent authorities must check every email that arrives.

"I would like Montenegro to be part of the Open Balkans"

Answering the question about the Open Balkans, he said that he has a very affirmative attitude towards it and that he would like Montenegro to be part of that initiative.

"Anything that helps regional cooperation is good, our head can only hurt if there is no cooperation. Montenegro is there as it is in A5... Everything that helps to reduce tensions in the region, to concentrate on European progress, on the economy , logically in favor of Montenegro".

Asked whether he will make a decision on joining the Open Balkans by the end of the year, he said that the initiative does not have a founding act.

"I understand why it is misused, because it needs to mobilize the opposition, to spin a story around it, ten times they change the communication strategy that we need to accept. It is not NATO or the EU, it is an expression of goodwill, a set of bilateral agreements around the 'green line' at border crossings, recognition of diplomas, etc... We need to get out of the jaws of the 90s, the future belongs to us, we cannot prevent anyone who wants to live in the past from that," said Abazović.