Message from the Ambassador of Russia to Montenegro Vladislava Maslenikova that the expansion of the European Union (EU) to the Balkans would mean drawing those countries into a confrontation with it, is either a hasty statement or a warning that the continuation of negotiations with the EU could result in negative consequences for the region.
This was said by the interlocutors of "Vijesti", commenting on the evaluations that Maslenikov made last week in an interview with the Russian newspaper "Izvestija", which was published by the Russian Embassy on its website six days ago.
Maslenikov said that the EU "mutated in favor of NATO", that it is implementing an aggressive anti-Russian line, that it is actively participating "in a hybrid confrontation with Russia" and that, accordingly, the expansion of the EU into the Balkans means drawing the region into a confrontation with Russia.
Officials of that country have been saying for years that NATO expansion is controversial and that they view the expansion of that military-political alliance and the EU differently. That is, that EU enlargement is not problematic for them.
Doctor of political sciences and associate in teaching at the Faculty of Political Sciences (FPN) in Podgorica Nemanja Stankov, assesses that, considering the subtleties of the diplomatic vocabulary, this kind of message from Maslenikov "is more than a direct warning that the continuation of the (EU) accession process would produce negative consequences for the region".
"That influence would probably be exercised through proxy organizations and partners - not directly, but with the signature of the Russian Federation," he told "Vijesti".
Stankov states that, in this sense, the assessments of some European analysts that Moscow's political appetites do not end in Kiev, Maslenikov's statement received "a clear manifestation for Montenegro as well."
"This type of open pressure should determine even more clearly the foreign policy priorities of Montenegro, because it is obvious that there is no room for harmonization and 'compromise'." Montenegro's foreign policy partner can be either the EU or the Russian Federation. First of all, in terms of values, but also in political and economic terms, the choice is more than obvious. The future of Montenegro must be in the EU", says the interlocutor.
A distinguished former Serbian diplomat Srećko Đukić, assesses that the Russian ambassador's message is "probably a hasty statement that is not based on the fundamental international relations that prevail in the world." He adds that it is difficult for him to judge whether it is a statement made independently by a Russian diplomat or whether it is "some of their general new position".
"They are simply trying to limit the freedom of some peoples and countries. I really wouldn't attach any great importance to that statement, because at one time it was Russia Vladimir Putin wanted to become a member of NATO, not only the EU, and decided to conclude a special cooperation agreement with NATO. Russia agreed that each of the countries that wanted to join NATO could join, that it was their independent, sovereign choice. Today they changed that policy. I think that such a setup is not good, above all for Russia," Djukic told "Vijesta".
In an interview, Maslenikov, speaking about Montenegro's candidacy for EU membership, said that the current leadership of the country sees its "historic chance" in the current declared readiness of the EU for enlargement, and that, at the same time, "Brussels does not hide that this renewed interest in enlargement connected with the Ukrainian crisis”.
"In general, many Montenegrin politicians understand that this 'enthusiasm for expansion' will disappear in Brussels immediately after the end of the conflict in Ukraine. But the people who are now in power in Podgorica are young, unencumbered by the political experience of the previous two decades... and it seems realistic to them to 'promote' into a slightly open window of opportunity," it said.
Đukić reminds that Russia has never opposed the expansion of the EU and that at one time the Union was a strategic partner of that country.
"Ultimately, whether a country will be a member of the EU or some other organization is the sovereign right of that country. "No one is preventing Russia from being in BRICS, SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) or other organizations," the interlocutor said.
Đukić states that the EU and Russia had many agreements, and that they negotiated to conclude an agreement on the four freedoms - free movement of people, capital, labor and the visa-free regime.
"Now they are completely at the other end, they have completely turned politics around. I don't know what caused it. It's hard to set limits for someone if you don't adhere to those limits yourself," Djukic said.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) did not answer the questions of "Vijesta" about Maslenikov's views.
Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović on Thursday, he announced that the government did not consider the Russian diplomat's evaluations, adding that the issue was not of any crucial importance for the executive power to discuss it.
"... We did not discuss it at the Government for the simple reason that it is nothing new. Russia continuously tries, in accordance with its interests, as it has defined them, to undermine the European path of the region towards the EU through various types of influence," said Krapović after the Government session.
The minister pointed out that for the Government, the fact that the path to the EU is "one of the rare consensuses in Montenegrin society and on the Montenegrin political scene" is more significant than Maslenikov's views.
"This Government will also in the coming period very clearly and decisively approach and implement very efficiently all those tasks that are necessary to speed up our path to the EU to full membership to the EU as much as possible. That is my comment in relation to what is the desire of Russia or Maslenikov. I believe that it will only remain a wish," said Krapović.
The ruling Europe Now Movement, the New Serbian Democracy and the Democratic People's Party did not respond to the "News" questions about the evaluations of the Russian ambassador.
The ruling Democrats said that the confrontation with Russia, which Maslenikov mentions and announces, does not worry them.
"Because Montenegro, according to what we hear from Brussels, but we also note, is and will be a stable, responsible, dedicated and serious partner of the Alliance, which continuously fulfills all its obligations, but is also a leader in European integration, which we proudly point out ", they told "Vijesti" from that party.
Secretary General of the opposition Civic Movement URA Mileta Radovanić, says that Montenegro has its own magisterial direction when it comes to foreign and security policy, and that all parliamentary parties are at least declaratively committed to the European path.
"Such and similar statements do not contribute to the stability and improvement of relations. So, Montenegro has chosen its own path, which is a place in the west, with the full development of democracy and the rule of law, with a special emphasis on strengthening the good-neighbor policy," Radovanić told "Vijesta".
The opposition Social Democrats (SD) assessed that Maslenikov's statement was "only a formal confirmation of Moscow's malignant policy in Montenegro", which, they say, is a cause for concern.
"Not because they don't have the capacity to defend themselves from that harmful influence, but because the protagonists of such politics have been in decision-making positions in recent years, so essentially they don't want to defend themselves from the mentioned influence, on the contrary," said the SD.
The moment in which the statement was made, according to that party, is not a surprise.
"On this day in Montenegro, at the head of numerous important state institutions are people who have been the main proponents of Russian influence in Montenegro and the Balkans for years. Therefore, Ambassador Maslenikov does not have to worry, because with this kind of government after this kind of statement, he will certainly not suffer any consequences. And he would have to, if he was lucky", informed "Vijesti" from SD.
Nikolić: Maslenikov's statement deserves a reaction from the Government and the MFA
Maslenikov's comments were strongly condemned by the strongest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), whose caucus head Andrija Nikolić said on Wednesday that the Russian diplomat's statement deserves a reaction from the Government and the MFA.
"The government should not ignore the disturbing messages from the official diplomatic representatives of the Russian Federation, especially since the Prime Minister (Milojko Spajić) was praised as a Eurosceptic in Maslenik's interview, and someone who stated in Davos that the fact that Montenegro follows the EU's foreign policy and joined sanctions against Russia did not bring any benefit to the country. "Citizens should know whether this is really Spajić's position or an incorrect interpretation from the Russian ambassador", stated Nikolić.
Maslenikov: The majority of Montenegrin citizens do not support sanctions against Russia
Maslenikov said in an interview that the previous Montenegrin government, headed by Dritan Abazović, became "the absolute champion in destroying Russian-Montenegrin relations."
"On that issue, she did more than the last two DPS governments of Milo Đukanović, which started this process."
He stated that, in the economic dimension, "Russia did not even notice" the sanctions against Montenegro, and that for the Montenegrin economy, "the losses are very noticeable", stressing that this is "openly confirmed by the representatives of the domestic business, especially the tourist business, and ordinary citizens of the country".
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Maslenikov claims that the majority of Montenegrin citizens do not support the policy of sanctions against Russia.
"According to public opinion polls, 71,3 percent of Montenegrins are now against sanctions against Russia, a year ago 66 percent of citizens supported that position."
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