Attempts to influence political processes in Montenegro by diplomatic representatives of Western countries represent a denial of the will of the citizens expressed in the elections and acting outside the principles of diplomatic practice.
This was assessed by the head of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Maja Vukićević, at the spring session in Strasbourg.
She said that she was worried about attempts to influence political processes in Montenegro by diplomatic representatives of Western countries.
"This represents a denial of the will of the citizens expressed in the elections and acting outside the principles of diplomatic practice," said Vukićević, as reported on the parliament's website.
She stressed that all political actors in the country are committed to the European future of Montenegro, as well as that the sovereignty of the country implies the freedom of citizens to choose their own representatives in the Government and Parliament.
The Parliamentary Assembly considered and accepted the report of the PSSE observation mission on the presidential elections in Montenegro, which was presented at the session by a member of the Croatian delegation, MP Domagoj Hajduković.
The report states that the presidential elections were competitive and adequately conducted, that the election enforcement authorities worked transparently, that fundamental rights were respected in the campaign, and that the candidates had equal opportunities to present their programs to the voters.
"However, several shortcomings and ambiguities in the legislative framework were recognized, so Montenegro was invited to, in close cooperation with the Venice Commission, take a series of concrete measures to improve electoral laws and certain electoral practices," the statement said.
Vukićević pointed out that the victory in the presidential elections of a candidate supported by political actors who won the last parliamentary elections represents the end of an era in Montenegrin politics.
"It is also the final defeat of the regime that ruled Montenegro for more than three decades," said Vukićević and emphasized that the most important segment of the mentioned process is the peaceful transition of power.
It was announced that special attention at the spring session of PSSE was devoted to the upcoming SE Summit, which will be held in Reykjavík on May 16 and 17.
As part of the discussion on this topic, it was stated that the upcoming summit of heads of state and government should be the starting point for the construction of a renewed SE that will have a greater capacity to deal with current challenges and respond to the true needs of citizens.
On the agenda of the session were topics dedicated to the effectiveness of the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, the preservation of democracy, rights and the environment in international trade, as well as political strategies for prevention, preparation and dealing with the consequences of natural disasters.
A discussion was also held on the topic of providing conditions for the safe return of Ukrainian children and other civilians who were forcibly displaced or deported.
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