Political instability and internal turmoil could be one of the biggest challenges on Montenegro's path to European integration, said the European Parliament rapporteur for Montenegro, Marjan Šarec.
He said that in Montenegro, in the field of integration into the European Union (EU), a lot has been done so far and that progress is visible, but that it would be best if issues that divide society were not on the table because what is most important now is to have only one political and general social front related to membership in the Union.
Responding to the question of what the main challenge for Montenegro is in the coming period, Šarec said that it is everything that, in any way, hinders the EU accession process.
"And these are, to a large extent, possible political instability and internal turmoil," Šarec said in an interview with the MINA agency.
As he added, the insight into the political situation of various actors from Montenegro is diametrically opposed.
"But as for future work, I would say - use common sense and continue without making moves that hinder the accession and closing of chapters," said Šarec.
As he pointed out, the current political situation, if political actors do not tackle it, could spiral out of control.
"It is difficult to say at this point how much the problems on the political scene may affect the EU accession process. But, without a doubt, we can be sure that, if politics does not tackle the situation, it could get out of control," said Šarec.
He emphasized that this is not the first time that Montenegro has not had the strength for such conflicts, especially with the processes related to the closing of chapters.
"I am not one of those in the EU who sees everything as black and problematic, but I also see that some things are not going the right way," said Šarec.
Responding to a question about the reform of Montenegrin electoral legislation, Šarec said that this issue has been recognized as one of the acute problems that needs to be resolved.
"Elections are the most important thing in democracies and through elections, citizens can influence the formation of governments. Any stalemate is a bad message to European partners," Šarec said.
Asked to comment on the fact that Montenegro closed only three chapters out of the planned four at the last Intergovernmental Conference with the EU, due to Croatia's blockade, Šarec said that it is not good when bilateral issues are used for such purposes, but that this does not mean that Montenegro, as a candidate for membership, should not avoid conflicts with its neighbors.
He said that one country has already paid a heavy price due to bilateral issues, recalling the situation with Macedonia.
"Personally, I don't like it when bilateral issues are used for potential blackmail," said Šarec.
As he reminded, Slovenia and Croatia still have an open border issue due to Croatia's non-recognition of the Arbitration Court's decision.
"But all this does not mean that a country that is a candidate for membership in the Union should not avoid conflicts with its neighbors. Going back to history does not benefit the future," said Šarec.
When asked whether he expected Croatia to block the process of Montenegro's accession to the Union, Šarec said that he hoped that would not happen because, as he stated, there are those in the Union who could use this as an alibi to prevent enlargement from happening.
"I hope that won't happen, because there are those in the EU who see things differently, and who could use that as an alibi to prevent enlargement," Šarec pointed out.
Asked whether he thought it was feasible for Montenegro to close all chapters by 2026, Šarec said that, if there is the will and strength, anything is possible.
Commenting on the adoption of the Resolution on Genocide in the Jasenovac, Dachau and Mauthausen concentration camp system immediately after receiving the Report on the Fulfillment of Interim Benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 (IBAR), as well as the opening of the issue of the retirement of Constitutional Court judges immediately after the closure of the three chapters, Šarec said that there are many in the EU who connect these events.
"I have repeatedly emphasized that issues that divide society and arouse emotions should be resolved carefully. And it would be best if they were not on the table, because now the most important thing is to have only one political and general social front," said Šarec.
That one front, as he emphasized, is EU entry.
Šarec did not want to comment on the existence of possible foreign influences in Montenegro when discussing these issues, but he emphasized that every politician in a country should serve their citizens and their interests.
"And believe me, the interest of the citizens of Montenegro is a good economy, free border crossing, a common mobile telephony tariff, and the construction of infrastructure with European funds. Whoever does not serve these interests, history will punish them. It would not be the first time in the Balkans," concluded Šarec.
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