Actualization of certain historical issues can cause serious damage to the European path of Montenegro, warned the vice-president of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Ivan Vuković and assessed that Croatia may withdraw its ambassador from Podgorica if the resolution on Jasenovac is adopted.
In an interview with the MINA Agency, Vuković said that Montenegro has a historic chance and that "no one and nothing stands in our way to full membership in the European Union (EU), except ourselves".
When asked if it could happen that Croatia blocks Montenegro from receiving a positive Report on the Assessment of Fulfillment of Temporary Benchmarks (IBAR), he replied that he did not think that was realistic.
However, as Vuković assessed, it is completely realistic that Zagreb's reaction will follow in the next phase of negotiations with the EU.
"So, for me, it is an easily conceivable scenario that Croatia decides to withdraw the ambassador from Montenegro for a certain period, if this really happens in the Parliament of Montenegro," said Vuković.
He stated that it is incredible how self-destructive Montenegro used to be, due to the configuration of the ruling coalition.
When asked if he is still optimistic that Montenegro will receive a positive IBAR in June, Vuković replied that he said this earlier, taking into account two circumstances.
"I said that because I believe that what the EU expects from Montenegro, at this stage of the accession process, is achievable, if Montenegro commits to those obligations within the framework of the temporary benchmarks from Chapters 23 and 24," stated Vuković.
He pointed, on the other hand, to a very positive climate in the EU when it comes to the enlargement of the Union.
This, as Vuković added, is to a significant extent the consequence of major geopolitical changes that occurred after the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
"Our European partners, like never before, need a positive story in that context, and they need a positive example in the Western Balkans," Vuković pointed out.
As he said, Montenegro is potentially that positive example.
"On the other hand, it was said before certain historical issues were brought up to date, in a way that is extremely problematic and which we believe can cause serious damage to Montenegro on its European path," stated Vuković.
He added that he also spoke about this at a recent press conference, in the context of the Proposal for a Resolution on the Genocide in Jasenovac and the certain reaction of official Zagreb.
"After all, a note of protest has already arrived and I don't think anyone should be surprised if Croatia takes a much more radical step in relation to Montenegro tomorrow, and I remind you that Croatia is a member state of the EU and has a legitimate right, like the other 26, to decide about whether the EU should expand at all", emphasized Vuković.
He said that there was already a situation like this once, when Dritan Abazović was the prime minister.
According to Vuković, the Abazović government took office two months after the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the door of the EU was wide open for Montenegro.
"I say this as someone who had daily contacts with ambassadors. I was in Brussels and I was fully aware of how important it is for the EU to push at least someone in that direction, as a message to others," Vuković added.
As he said, instead of the then Government dealing with European integration, it decided to deal with the Basic Treaty.
Vuković stated that he is afraid that history could repeat itself, and, as he said, this could very well be the last chance for Montenegro.
He said that the European partners once "saw through their fingers" to Montenegro, aware of the complexity of the political moment and the political situation in the country.
"But if we were to send a message again that we are not able to focus on what is our priority and what is most important in the long term for all citizens, I would not be at all surprised if people in Brussels say - well, you are obviously not in favor of this" , Vuković said.
When asked whether the fact that three segments from the three temporary benchmarks in Chapter 23 will most likely not be fulfilled by June could be the reason for not receiving a positive IBAR, he answered in the negative.
Those segments from the three temporary benchmarks include the amendment of the constitution in the part that refers to the role of the Minister of Justice in the Judicial Council, the election of the President of the Supreme Court and amendments to the Law on the Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns.
Vuković said that he thinks that the Government explained to the European partners in time how demanding and complicated the procedure is that is needed to complete those three things.
He said that he was afraid that the European partners would not have to have, or would not have understanding for some other things.
"When we talk about the need to change the Constitution, they don't understand that this issue is now being linked to relations within the ruling coalition. "You saw the initiative of the President of the Assembly and the leader of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) that these changes should actually serve something else, along the lines of his political views and the interests of the party he represents," said Vuković.
According to him, there could be problems if the destructive attitude towards what are the European obligations of Montenegro continues.
When asked if he believes that the set of media laws and laws in the field of justice will soon reach the parliamentary procedure and that they will be adopted within the given deadlines, Vuković answered in the affirmative.
He said that the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Justice assured, at the consultative hearing in the Parliament, that all deadlines will be respected and that people in their departments are working very dedicatedly, in communication with the Venice and European Commission, so that these legal proposals are ready for time.
"The Minister of European Affairs and the chief negotiator were also very optimistic about media laws and other important matters that Montenegro needs to complete in the shortest possible time," Vuković added.
He pointed out that it is very important that the proposals of those laws receive the green light from the European partners.
"And if it all turns out that way, I don't see why the Parliament of Montenegro would not give a positive opinion on those proposals and in that way certainly significantly improve the chances of Montenegro getting a positive IBAR in June," stated Vuković.
When asked how stable the parliamentary majority is, bearing in mind the statements of the Democratic People's Party (DNP) that their further support for the Government and the leader of the NSD are in question, that the NSD is putting pressure on the Government to give up its decision to support the Resolution on Srebrenica, he answered that they best testify to the character of relations within the ruling coalition.
"If you compare the program of the Movement Europe now with what is written in the program of NSD or DNP, it has nothing to do with each other," said Vuković.
These are, as he added, completely different visions of the future of Montenegro, in terms of values, culture, civilization, foreign policy, politics, as well as in every field.
"Then it's no wonder we get into situations like this. And that government is currently maintained by the selfish political interest of those who are inside and who want to stay there as long as possible, as well as the fear of DPS. There is no third thing they can agree on," Vuković said.
He said that it is time for Montenegro to move on.
"It's time for Montenegro to leave behind that narrative that the only important thing is for DPS to be in the opposition," Vuković said.
According to him, the price paid by Montenegrin society is too high.
"What is happening, in relation to European integration, is a direct consequence of the fact that you have people in the government who are intimately opposed to the idea of European integration," Vuković said.
He said that now a new rotten compromise is being made in order to settle scores within the ruling coalition.
Vuković pointed out that people from Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova or neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina would give anything if they were in Montenegro's position.
"Look at how we feel about it. Why, for someone to be a minister, for someone to be the president of the Assembly", said Vuković.
He said that sacrificing the European perspective of Montenegro for the sake of political interests would be a "crime against society and the state".
"I think that, if it happens, it is a betrayal par excellence, because these people are always aware of what they are doing and the opportunity we have," said Vuković.
As he added, they are aware that some decisions they can make, including the resolution on Jasenovac, can directly harm Montenegro's European path, even stop it.
"And what will we do then? What will we do if Zagreb says tomorrow - the ambassador from Montenegro is coming, or if he says - fine, you can go to the EU, but return the Jadran ship to us, or you can go to the EU, if you admit that Prevlaka is Croatia", stated Vuković.
Asked whether it is now possible to predict how the situation will unfold and whether the Government will last until the end of its four-year mandate, he said that he thinks it is clear to everyone "that this is not working".
"If we want to be fundamentally responsible towards ourselves, I think that the mandate of this Government should be shortened the day after we receive a positive IBAR, which I still believe in, regardless of the things that are happening," said Vuković.
He said that there was a lot of manipulation in that the DPS is actually trying to sneak back into power and enter the government with this kind of criticism.
Vuković said that they are not interested in that.
The government, as he assessed, is not doing its job properly.
"This does not resemble anything, nor does it serve state and national interests," Vuković said.
He emphasized that he sincerely believes that it is time for a new phase in the development of Montenegro, as well as for a new phase of political relations in the country.
"Because what we have seen for the last three and a half, four years simply does not work, does not work and certainly does not contribute to the realization of that vision of Montenegro that everyone, regardless of political differences, believes in," said Vuković.
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