There is no unity while problems are swept under the carpet: Is consensus possible on the path to the EU, what is Kos calling for?

Marta Kos said that the best way to make progress in negotiations with Brussels is for the opposition to support all reforms.

In order to reach consensus, the causes of social discord must be treated, assesses Dina Bajramspahić.

Danijel Živković said that DPS would not give in to its demands, Kos allegedly mentioned "Venetians".

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Marta Kos in the Montenegrin Parliament, Photo: Boris Pejovic
Marta Kos in the Montenegrin Parliament, Photo: Boris Pejovic
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

In order to achieve social consensus on Montenegro's EU agenda, the causes of social discord must be addressed, not swept under the rug.

In those words, she is a civic activist Dina Bajramspahić commented on the messages about the need for unity between the Montenegrin government and the opposition on the country's path towards the EU, which were sent yesterday in Podgorica by the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

She met with the president in the capital of Montenegro. Jakov Milatović, head of parliament Andrija Mandić, the prime minister Milojko Spajić, and to the leaders of the parliamentary opposition, saying, among other things, that accession to the European Union must be a "national project, in which everyone will be included."

Bajramspahić assessed that Kos' messages about the necessity of social unity in implementing the EU agenda are good and important, as long as, she said, the Commissioner is informed that "the main disruptive factor for achieving social cohesion is the ruling majority."

"Which continuously causes polarization, aggravation of relations and uses the current chaos to achieve its ideological goals that have nothing to do with the EU agenda...", she stated.

Bajramspahić said that it is in the interest of Montenegrin society to use "these years for essential reforms that would ensure that institutions become a shield against authoritarian tendencies," noting that time has shown that EU membership is not a sufficient guarantee against undemocratic practices.

"What we see in several member states that are gasping under right-wing attacks. Turning a blind eye to essential problems will come back to us, the citizens, like a boomerang," the interviewee concluded.

Kos: Opposition to support all reforms

Kos said at a joint press conference with Spajić yesterday that Montenegro has a historic chance to join the EU, and that the best way to progress on that path is for the opposition to get involved and support all reforms. She stated that Montenegro has no time to waste, adding that the "merit principle" is important on the path to the EU.

She said that "all political actors should work in accordance with the wishes of citizens for EU entry", and that "enlargement should include all layers of society, institutions".

Spajić stated that the opposition was given a hand to work together with the government on the EU path, and that there was no one, neither the government nor the opposition, to "endanger the open opportunity."

"No one in parliament should put a brake on the European path... We want an intensive dialogue with the opposition, but some things have to be concluded," he concluded, saying that he hoped there would be no boycott of the Assembly during the adoption of the budget.

Kos stated at the meeting with Milatović that EU membership must be a “national project, in which everyone will be included.” The head of state, as announced by his cabinet, said that he “shares the EU’s concern over the Parliament’s decision to declare the termination of the function of a judge of the Constitutional Court (Dragana Đuranović), and said that it is necessary for political actors in the Parliament to "overcome the parliamentary crisis".

During her meeting with Mandić, Kos stated that MPs have a "historical responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of Montenegrin citizens for membership...", underlining that parliament is "a home where common solutions are found..."

Mandić, as announced by the Parliament, said that he was ready to make every effort to overcome "all existing misunderstandings", but that "no one will be able to blackmail the Parliament".

After the meeting with the opposition, the head of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) addressed the public (at a press conference) Danijel Zivkovic, saying that the party will not allow parliamentary sessions (including those scheduled for January 21, when the budget will be decided) to be held “until things (regarding the Constitutional Court) return to their previous state.”

The opposition believes that the Constitution has been violated because the parliament, without the mandatory notification of the Constitutional Court, decided in mid-December last year to declare Judge Đuranović's judicial office terminated due to her reaching the retirement age in accordance with the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance. They claim that this was done in order to "govern without elections", that is, to postpone local and state elections until 2027. Therefore, they are not allowing the parliament to work.

Bajramspahić: There will be no lowering of membership criteria

Dina Bajramspahić
Dina Bajramspahićphoto: Savo Prelevic

Dina Bajramspahić said that she thinks it is crucial that Kos, in one of the first sentences at the press conference with Spajić, emphasized the principle of advancement “based on merit.” This, according to the interviewee, means that there is no consensus on lowering the criteria for membership and that obligations must be fulfilled.

According to Bajramspahić, Kosovo is aware that even its best will will not be able to make up for the shortcomings that member states may be dissatisfied with.

"Confirmation of this is her statement in the European Parliament four days ago, when she warned that there could be no 'geopolitical concessions'. Given that the momentum created by Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues to be a major driver of enlargement policy, she tried to reflect the position of many member states - that geopolitical reasons will not be enough to become a member. Otherwise, as she herself says, 'all ten candidates would join the Union today'," the civic activist stated.

She notes that it is true that there is currently an extremely deep gap between "the Euro-optimism coming from Brussels and Montenegrin everyday life, the constitutional crisis, blocked institutions, the chronic irresponsibility of new political structures, an extremely unproductive public administration and political system..."

"Which is unable to ensure the functioning of basic democratic postulates," he adds.

In addition to meetings with top officials and the opposition, Kos spoke at a special session of parliament, which was not attended by opposition MPs.

Today, as announced by the EU Delegation in Podgorica, she will visit Cetinje to pay tribute to the victims of the mass crime in which 13 people died.

Živković says they are not giving up, Kos allegedly mentioned "Venetians"

At the meeting with Kos on behalf of the opposition, in addition to Živković, there were Dritan Abazović (GP URA), Damir Šehović (SD), Adrijan Vuksanović (HGI) and independent MP Jevrosima Pejović.

According to unofficial information from "Vijesti", Živković said at the meeting that DPS will not give in to demands regarding the Constitutional Court until things return "to the beginning".

Danijel Zivkovic
Danijel Zivkovicphoto: Boris Pejović

An interlocutor familiar with the details of the meeting said that the DPS leader had a "tough approach", and that Kos asked the opposition how the EU could get involved in resolving the problems related to the Constitutional Court. He claims that Kos allegedly mentioned the Venice Commission, but did not specify in what specific context.

Bajramspahić: Kos as a "good policeman"

Dina Bajramspahić assesses that the visit to Kos is positive news. According to her, it is very encouraging for the region to have a Commissioner who comes from Slovenia and whose biography confirms her commitment to democratic principles. She hopes, she says, that she will contribute to making the rule of law a key pillar in the accession negotiations, “which has not been the case so far.”

However, it notes that it must be clarified that certain obligations of Kos “arise from its portfolio”.

"Just as, for example, ministers of agriculture promote agriculture, and ministers of tourism promote tourism, her job is to promote her own department, i.e. enlargement policy, and to solve problems in order to develop that policy. The problems on that path are candidate countries, which are stalling and avoiding the implementation of reforms, and member states that declaratively support enlargement, but essentially see it more as a problem... Her job is to work closely with both..."

Because of all this, says Bajramspahić, both Kos and the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, "are advocating for enlargement as a 'good policeman' and a little more euphorically than is appropriate in reality."

"Because they are aware that on the other side there is a 'bad cop'... That is their role, and that ambition is in our favor. In addition to the member states that make all the final decisions, the role of the 'bad cop,' i.e. the one who critically examines whether all the conditions have been met... is also played by the European Parliament and the European Council."

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