Montenegro has everything at its disposal to become the next member of the European Union (EU), European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Oliver Varhelji said in an interview with "Vijesta", assessing that the Government and Parliament have the capacity to implement the necessary reforms.
Varhelji spent the previous days on an official visit to Podgorica, where he met with the highest state officials. In an interview with "Vijesti", he said that the government's results so far have been very well received in Brussels, as well as in the EU members, and that he hopes that Montenegro could receive the final benchmarks for chapters 23 and 24 in the coming summer.
Reminding that the vast majority of Montenegrin citizens support its entry into the EU, Varhelji says that because of this he believes that whoever is in power in Podgorica will have to follow the will of the people.
Commenting on this week's visit of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik to Montenegrin parliament head Andrija Mandić, the European commissioner said that such visits are "transient", and that, knowing where the citizens of Montenegro are in terms of their orientation, one visit cannot change that.
When asked how he views the accusations that he represents the interests of Serbia in the European Commission, which could also be heard in Montenegro, Varhelji replied that "a man should be judged by his deeds".
How do you evaluate the results of the work of the new government?
I think this Government has tackled many things that were left unfinished by several previous governments. And so far, in these few months, they have achieved a lot. And that was very well received not only in Brussels, but also in the capitals of the European Union members. So now they have shown with results that they are not only willing, but also able to deliver. The key was that, at the time of the formation of the Government, they thought not only about how the Government would work, but also how to translate the reform agenda they are implementing for EU membership into political decisions made in the Parliament. So this Government now has not only the will, but also the strength in Parliament to deliver what is needed.
Now the judiciary, I think, as far as appointments are concerned, is becoming fully functional. There are still some unfinished appointments about which I encouraged the Government, also the Parliament to complete them, and there are also some legislative obligations related to the judiciary, but I would say that the most difficult part has already been done. I really hope the rest can be finished again pretty soon
So, do you think that the Government has the capacity to implement the necessary reforms?
Yes, I think there is. And not only the Government, but also the Parliament. This is the secret of every successful joining. If you look at the previous accessions, everywhere a national agreement was reached between the parliament and the government, regardless of who was in power and who was in the parliament, to implement all the reforms that are absolutely necessary for the accession.
Do you believe that the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the Instrument for Reform and Growth will achieve their goals, given the remarks of the European Court of Auditors? We saw their opinion on the weak capacities of the countries of the Western Balkans to ensure sustainable reforms, as well as that there is a huge difference between the market of the European Union and the market of the region.
So, the European Court of Auditors confirmed the basic idea why we are working on the Growth Plan. That's why we created the Growth Plan. Because the integration of new members into the European Union is not only an institutional process. It also means that by the time of accession the gap between you and the current EU members should be narrowed. That is, yes, once you are in the European Union, you can compete effectively on the market. This means that you will already benefit from EU membership earlier. That's why we're working on a Growth Plan, to provide you with benefits even before you join.
Has the European Commission considered the Reform Agenda of Montenegro and do you think that Montenegro will be able to receive the first tranche of support from the new fund within the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans?
Well, let's go in order. First, the Instrument for Reform and Growth should be established. You know that EU leaders have decided to establish it. But now the key legislative bodies, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, will have to agree concretely on how to carry it out. We hope that this work will take place very quickly. We have high hopes that the European Parliament will adopt it already this spring. So that the submission and adoption of plans by the countries of the Western Balkans can follow immediately after that. As for the first payouts - we want to go as fast as we can. I could say that my ambitious goal is summer. But let's see and establish the instrument first.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that Montenegro can receive the final benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 this year. Do you think so?
Yes, that's why I'm here. That's what we talked about. The message is very clear. My message is that the door is wide open. Montenegro has made the most progress in accession negotiations. Although she has lost more than three years so far. But with the speed and quality of work that we have seen with the new Government and this new political coalition and "construction" - that means, not only the coalition in the Government, but also the parliamentary majority behind it - it is quite possible to deliver results quickly. We are more than ready to help Montenegro deliver all these reforms, maybe even before the end of the year. I would say again - let's talk about summer, summer is always full of hope.
Can Montenegro become the next member of the EU by 2030?
The main question is whether Montenegro can prepare to become that.
What do you think?
Everything is at Montenegro's disposal to make it happen. That's why we have a Growth Plan to help you accelerate real integration. That's why we want to help you persevere and get the final benchmarks. Final benchmarks - this doesn't mean much to ordinary people, not like me or others working on this, but to the ordinary person it should mean that once we meet these criteria, we can move on to the next, final stage of the accession negotiations, where we begin to close the chapters and reach final agreements. If this is achieved, everything will depend on Montenegro when it wants to become a member.
What do you think of our judiciary now, after filling significant vacancies in judicial institutions?
I am very happy that the work started with that. Judicial appointments were crucial. Now the judiciary, I think, as far as appointments are concerned, is becoming fully functional. There are still some unfinished appointments about which I encouraged the Government, also the Parliament to complete them, and there are also some legislative obligations related to the judiciary, but I would say that the most difficult part has already been done. I really hope the rest can be finished again pretty soon.
Is it enough to fill the vacant positions in judicial institutions so that the situation in that area improves?
No, changes to some laws and action plans related to the fight against corruption and organized crime are also needed...
Some EU members criticized the fact that the "For the Future of Montenegro" coalition became part of the government. Do you expect this coalition to be a constructive partner or do you think it is a pro-Serbian and pro-Russian actor in Montenegro?
I think that the highest level of support for EU membership is in Montenegro (perhaps it is higher in Albania). I do not think that anyone in power could credibly implement a different strategy, a different geopolitical strategy. Therefore, whoever wants to govern the country and whoever wants to be part of this political construction will have to follow the will of the people. Otherwise it would be very difficult. Therefore, I think that this is something that will be taken as the first principle in any reconstruction of the Government. But I'm not the prime minister, that's up to him to decide. But judging by the meetings I had with him, in Brussels and in Montenegro, meetings with the President of the State, the President of the Assembly, the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration, the Deputy Prime Minister (Aleks) Bečić, the Governor of the Central Bank - everyone is moving in that direction. Therefore, they want to introduce Montenegro into the European Union as quickly as possible.
As you know, Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić had a very interesting visitor - Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, who is on the "black" list of the USA. How does this affect the image of Montenegro as a member of NATO and a future member of the EU?
Well, he's a visitor, isn't he? So, if it is related to regional cooperation, very good. If it's about how to implement the Growth Plan and establish a common regional market based on EU rules, even better. Or if it is about Republika Srpska asking for advice on how to speed up EU reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I am even happier. If it is about something else, then I think and repeat that, knowing where the citizens of Montenegro are in terms of their orientation, these visits are only temporary. The determination I've seen is clear and loud, so I don't think one visit can change that.
How do you comment on the accusations against you that can be heard in Montenegro, that you represent the interests of Serbia in the European Commission?
As they say - judge a man by his deeds.
The economic and investment plan is the best offer for the continuation of highway construction
What is your opinion on the Government's announcement that it will not use EU grants and cheap loans to continue the construction of the highway "due to lengthy procedures," but will instead finance this construction from the state budget?
I have discussed this further with the Prime Minister. We are working with the Montenegrin authorities to find the best model of EU support that would meet the Government's ambition to quickly proceed with the project, but also ensure that the project complies with EU rules and standards in all aspects of the investment process. I think that the Economic Investment Plan, worth 30 billion euros, which was offered to the region and which brings much-needed new jobs and growth, is the best offer today. We hope that Montenegro will accept this offer and use it in its best interest.
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