INTERVIEW Ivanović: We will not miss a historic chance to join the EU

We properly understand the messages of our European friends that the enlargement of the EU is realistic, and I am sure that we will not miss this historic opportunity. The expressed support of the citizens of Montenegro obliges us to do so, and I believe that the EU member states will recognize and value the positive developments that are already underway.

This is what the Minister of Foreign Affairs said in an interview with "Vijesta". Filip Ivanovic, saying that Montenegro needs the EU, but also that Montenegro needs the EU.

He stated, among other things, that the issue of appointing the ambassador has been raised, and that he believes that a significant part of that work will be completed as soon as possible.

Ivanovic said that Montenegro will continue to implement all obligations arising from membership in NATO, to support Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression, and to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

The minister said that the impression he got through numerous contacts and meetings, including at the NATO ministerial meeting, is that no one, apart from a part of the domestic public, is interested in what he wrote about the Alliance ten years ago.

On what basis do you base the recently expressed assessment that Montenegro can end negotiations with the EU during the term of office of the current government? When do you expect Montenegro to start closing the negotiation chapters?

The mandate of the new Government practically began with intensive communication with the European Union and visits to Brussels. After my presence at the November Council for Foreign Affairs, a number of high-level delegations stayed in Brussels, and a few days ago, the Prime Minister was also on a working visit to Brussels (Sweetie) Spajic. During all the aforementioned high-level meetings, Montenegrin officials received strong support from European partners, who recognized the Government's intention to be persistent in fulfilling the European agenda.

We also received encouraging messages for the progress of Montenegro during the conference on the future of the EU, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany at the beginning of November. During the conference, but also in numerous meetings on the sidelines of the meeting, I had the opportunity to talk openly with fellow ministers and EU officials and make sure that Montenegro has a chance to make a significant step forward.

The election of the missing judge of the Constitutional Court and three members of the Judicial Council without votes against, as well as the dedicated fight against organized crime and corruption, confirmed that we are determined to continue with the process of building responsible, independent and transparent institutions, but also to properly understand the messages of the European friend that the expansion is also realistic, and that Montenegro can use this opportunity if it accelerates the necessary reforms. I am sure that we will not miss this historic opportunity. The expressed support of the citizens of Montenegro obliges us to do so. On the other hand, I believe that the EU member states will recognize and value the positive developments that are already underway, according to the principle of advancement based on merit. In other words, I expect that the positive signals that Podgorica sends to Brussels and European capitals are reflected by an equally good signal from Brussels to Podgorica.

What would it mean for Montenegro not to join the EU in the foreseeable future?

The European Union needs Montenegro, but Montenegro also needs the European Union, and the Union's enlargement policy is perhaps the best long-term project on the European continent. The security, economic, climate and other crises we are facing show that the peace and stability of Europe lies in its unity, which is best achieved through EU membership. For Montenegro, this does not only mean ensuring the rule of law, better social and economic conditions or better educational opportunities, but also a more intensive interaction of cultures, ideas and identities, which will have a beneficial effect on contemporary and future generations, who want to live in freedom and prosperity.

The absence of EU expansion to new members would mean another stagnation and discouragement for the candidate states, but it would also make the very idea of ​​the EU as a European community united in diversity meaningless - therefore I believe that the hypothesis from your question does not exist as a possibility.

What are your expectations from the upcoming elections for the European Parliament (EP)? Are you worried about the possibility of a significant number of mandates being won by right-wing forces, whose leaders announce "recomposition of the EU"?

It is certain that the upcoming EP elections are significant for the future of Europe and the EU, and we will follow them carefully. It is a fact that in recent years there has been a certain political dynamic on the scene, which will affect the relations within the Union. In addition to other things, relevant documents and analyzes recently indicated the necessity of revising the way the EU functions, which is certainly demanding, and will become even more challenging with the entry of each new member. It is clear that this revision will not be quick or easy, but we advocate, and in this we meet the understanding of the European partners, that the process of EU enlargement can and must run parallel to the process of internal reform of the EU, because the two processes are simply complementary. For us, it is extremely important that the rules of the regatta, i.e. progress according to merit, are respected, and that all candidate countries move towards the EU at a speed that they themselves determine and deserve. I believe that these principles will not be significantly affected by the EP elections.

What is Montenegro's cooperation with NATO, bearing in mind that part of the opposition claims that the country lost the trust of the Alliance after the change of government in 2020?

Montenegro is an active and credible member of NATO, and this is also one of the four foreign policy priorities of the 44th Government of Montenegro. All member countries participate in the implementation of the tasks from the substantive NATO agenda. In the messages we receive from the highest addresses within NATO, the quality contribution of Montenegro to the implementation of policies aimed at improving the Alliance's activities in a challenging security environment is recognized.

I would like to remind you that the Secretary General (Jens) Stoltenberg on several occasions and during meetings with our highest officials, he repeated that Montenegro is a highly valued NATO member, and that he looks forward to cooperation with the 44th Government. His views regarding the credibility and contribution of Montenegro to NATO are also publicly available, which is extremely appreciated in such challenging times. I am glad that the Allies recognize the very constructive role that Montenegro plays in the strategically important region of the Western Balkans, to which the Alliance is particularly committed.

In addition, the current security events on the global level require a strong and decisive response from the entire international community, to which Montenegro contributes without reservation. We will continue to implement all obligations arising from membership, including contributing to the policy of deterrence and defense, strengthening the objectives and capabilities of the Alliance, as well as participating in missions and operations. We will also, as before, be committed to investing in defense and strengthening our readiness to respond to increasingly numerous and complex challenges.

From the office of the head of state Mr. Jakov Milatović's "News" reported at the beginning of December last year that the president had initiated consultations with the government on the selection of ambassadors, but that the meeting did not take place. What is the reason for that, and when can we expect the start of consultations and the process of appointing ambassadors?

The appointment of ambassadors is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in accordance with the legal powers, the resolution of this important issue has been initiated, within which communication with the offices of the President of the State and the Government also takes place. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to further improving the functioning of the diplomatic-consular network and strengthening the capacities of Montenegrin diplomacy, guided by the foreign policy priorities and goals of the 44th Government.

Filling which ambassadorial positions will be a priority and by when do you intend to complete that work?

Appreciating that this topic is not only important for our country, but is also, quite understandably, a subject of public interest, I still have to point out that the appointment of an ambassador implies strict procedures both from our side and from the receiving country's side, and that these procedures in most of its internal character. This means, among other things, that the names of the proposed ambassadors are not announced to the public until the agreement is obtained, that is, the consent of the host country. The duration of the procedure varies, but it is certainly about months.

What I can say is that currently at the head of nine diplomatic and consular missions we have diplomats with the title of ambassador, in two consulates general they are consuls general, in two consulates general they are consuls, while the other diplomatic and consular missions are headed by chargé d'affaires ad interim ( i.e. temporary). At the head of all diplomatic and consular missions, at all times, we have diplomatic representatives who coordinate the work of the DKP, with a difference in the level of diplomatic representation.

As you know, the mandate of the 44th Government began in a challenging period, with a number of burning topics on the domestic front, as well as numerous international obligations. All this also affected the dynamics of the talks on the appointment of ambassadors, which we are approaching very thoroughly and with dedication, and I believe that we will complete a significant part of this extremely important work, with full respect for the procedures in Montenegro and the host countries, as soon as possible.

Can you guarantee that the government will nominate people as ambassadors who, as you said in an interview before assuming the position of minister, have adequate education, reputation, knowledge of foreign languages, communication skills, etc.?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will consider proposals for filling vacant ambassador positions based on clearly prescribed and relevant criteria and professional references, guided by the vision of strengthening and further improving the functioning of the Ministry and our diplomatic network. The common goal of all actors involved in the process of appointing ambassadors, according to the Law on Foreign Affairs, must be the selection of adequate candidates, who will represent Montenegro in the best possible way and represent its interests abroad. I will personally advocate for it to be so.

In your opinion, what are the relations between Montenegro and neighboring countries?

Relations with neighbors are very good, substantial and intense and are characterized by an open dialogue, both bilaterally and through numerous regional initiatives and the perspective of EU membership. Regional cooperation and good-neighborly relations are one of the pillars of Montenegrin foreign policy, and Montenegro has been recognized on several occasions by our partners and allies as a constructive neighbor, but also an example of how good-neighborly cooperation is nurtured. I think we can be very proud of that position and it is certain that we will continue to inherit such an approach.

It is very important that we share a European and Euro-Atlantic perspective with our neighbors, especially considering that the Western Balkans region, with all its weaknesses, vulnerabilities and divisions, is an attractive terrain for various geopolitical interests and influences. In this context, and in order to preserve and strengthen the security of the region, we strongly support the joint and coordinated action of NATO and the EU in addressing various challenges in the region.

How do you view Montenegro's relations with Serbia and what do you think one side needs to do, and what does the other need to do, in order for relations to be completely "normalized"?

Despite the differences in the foreign policy positions of the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro on certain issues, there are no obstacles to political dialogue based on the principles of equality. By intensifying the visits of high-ranking officials in the previous period, key steps were taken in improving relations between the two countries. Recently, direct payment transactions were established, which solved the issue that burdened economic cooperation for many years. Cultural, economic, and even family relations between our citizens represent an additional incentive for strengthening the ties between Montenegro and Serbia.

It is our duty, in both countries, to work intensively to make these relations as good as possible. I believe that with mutual, sincere commitment, with mutual respect based on the principles of independence and non-interference in internal affairs, we can nurture and further develop bilateral cooperation. Montenegro approaches all issues with the Republic of Serbia with special sensitivity and attention, in order to preserve and improve friendly relations with neighboring countries, while always taking care to protect the interests of Montenegro and its citizens.

During your recent visit to Croatia, the officials there reiterated that the training ship "Jadran" should be returned to that country. Will "Jadran" be returned to Croatia or do you think that it is part of Montenegro's property?

I discussed the school ship "Jadran", as well as other unresolved issues, with my Croatian colleague during my official visit to Zagreb. Allow me to point out that unresolved issues do not burden our bilateral relations and political dialogue, which is very dynamic and is an expression of mutual commitment to continuous strengthening of cooperation. During the visit, we agreed that we will conduct a bilateral dialogue and direct communication on all issues, guided by the principles of alliance defined through the membership of our countries in NATO. I believe that this is a framework in which we can honestly and openly exchange arguments and reach mutually acceptable solutions.

What do you intend to do in order to resolve the issue of the border with Croatia on the Prevlaca, given that the previous several Montenegrin governments have not done anything about it?

During the visit to Croatia, we also discussed the issue of Prevlaka. We agreed that it is necessary for both sides to be additionally activated, in order to restore communication and find a mutually acceptable solution. I expect that a new interdepartmental commission will be formed at the beginning of the year, which will, among other things, deal with the initiation of bilateral talks on this issue. I will remind you that the issue of Prevlaka is currently regulated by the Protocol on the Temporary Regime, which has been successfully implemented in practice since 2002, when it was signed.

At the beginning of November last year, regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, you announced that "Montenegro supports Israel's right to self-defense as long as it is within the limits of international humanitarian law, but that it also strongly advocates for the protection of civilians in Gaza." Will the Government change that position considering the daily suffering of a large number of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, where Israel is conducting a military campaign?

Montenegro's position in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian issue is consistent and clear, although it may have been interpreted differently by the public. Montenegro stands for a two-state solution, as the only sustainable framework for a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. We believe that the priority of the international community must be the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian aid. After the Hamas attack on October 7, Montenegro condemned that terrorist act while supporting Israel's right to self-defense, while calling for a de-escalation of violence against civilians. Also, on several occasions, in the period after that, we called for a ceasefire, continuously pointing out the necessity of resolving the conflict through diplomatic means. In this regard, in communication with international partners and through UN resolutions, which call for a ceasefire and the protection of Palestinian civilians, we strive to make our contribution.

Does the government plan to continue sending humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians?

Montenegro will, as before, continue to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, in accordance with the allocated budget funds.

You recently said that Montenegro will support Ukraine in the conflict with Russia as long as necessary. Are some parties of the parliamentary majority opposed to this, or did such messages eventually reach you?

The foreign policy orientation of the 44th Government is very clear. Active and credible NATO membership and European integration are absolute priorities. In this regard, we will continue to fully comply with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union and support Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression and the defense of territorial integrity and sovereignty. As far as I know, all political parties present in the Parliament of Montenegro have publicly supported the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

MVP for an adequate memorial plaque in Morinje

Will the memorial plaque at the former Morinj camp in Kotor, which was installed by the former Montenegrin Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense Ranko Krivokapić and Raško Konjević, remain in that place or will it be replaced by a new one, with a different content, as announced by the former executive?

Dealing with the past and building a culture of memory are ongoing processes that reflect society's willingness to take responsibility and learn from past mistakes, so that they never happen again. As a NATO member country and a country that is on its way to becoming the first next EU member, Montenegro inherits the values ​​of the rule of law and strives to act responsibly towards the parts of its history that it is not proud of, and points to the path that was wrong. An important segment of those processes is the memorialization of the place of suffering, as a reminder, but also a guide for better understanding and thus closer cooperation between countries that were in conflict in the past. In this regard, I consider it important to mark all the places of suffering, and the intention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to advocate for the existence of an adequate memorial plaque in Morinje, with the fact that internal procedures, if it is determined that they have not been followed, are corrected accordingly.

Nobody outside of the domestic public is interested in what I wrote about NATO

Do the representatives of the Alliance and the countries of the West blame you for the fact that ten years ago you judged that NATO was not in the interest of Montenegro? How do you view that military-political alliance today?

The impression that I have gained through numerous contacts and meetings, including at the recent NATO ministerial meeting, is that no one, apart from a part of the domestic public, is interested in what I wrote ten years ago in an author's text at the invitation of your newspaper, and as part of a project supported by the US Embassy in Montenegro. Our country has been a member of the North Atlantic Alliance for six years, and the answer to your question is given by the fact that I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 44th Government of Montenegro, which, as one of the four pillars of foreign policy, defined active and credible membership in NATO .

"Jadran" cannot be a "NATO ship", because such do not exist

Can the issue of ownership of the ship "Jadran" be resolved without international arbitration? What is your position on the idea that a compromise solution could be that "Jadran" sails under the NATO flag, as well as on the idea that the flags of both Montenegro and Croatia should fly on the ship?

The NATO collective defense system does not recognize the NATO army, and therefore neither does the accompanying weapons system (ships, planes, etc.). The alliance is a political-military alliance of individual states, which enter NATO with their national capacities. Therefore, there are no "NATO ships", but only ships of NATO allies that are temporarily assigned to NATO naval activities (training and operations). And in these cases, the ship flies two flags - national and NATO. In any case, as I have already said, we will discuss all unresolved issues as before, openly and in the spirit of good neighborly relations and alliance.