Political disagreements are not uncommon in any country, but they should not undermine institutions or the rule of law, the British Minister for Europe said at the Foreign Office. Steven Doughty.
In an interview with "Vijesti", commenting on the current parliamentary crisis in Montenegro, he said that resolving problems through constructive dialogue and respect for democratic processes is in the best interest of Montenegro and its citizens.
He says that a comprehensive approach to judicial reform, supported by a strong institutional framework, will be key to restoring public trust and improving performance in this area.
"If vetting is used, it must be implemented carefully, ensuring transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law," said Dauti, who was on an official visit to Montenegro yesterday.
He believes that Montenegro has made visible progress in the fight against organized crime and corruption, but some challenges remain, especially in ensuring the functioning, accountability and transparency of key institutions.
How do you comment on the current parliamentary crisis in Montenegro and the opposition's threat that there will be no regular parliamentary and political life in the Parliament until their demands are met, i.e. the annulment of the conclusion on the termination of the mandate of one judge of the Constitutional Court?
This is an internal issue. Political disagreements are not uncommon in any country, but they should not undermine institutions or the rule of law.
Resolving problems through constructive dialogue and respect for democratic processes is in the best interest of Montenegro and its citizens.
In your opinion, is the current Government of Montenegro fully committed to membership in the European Union and NATO? Why?
That is a question for the Montenegrin Government, but your long-standing status as a NATO member and the successful completion of a number of key stages in the accession process suggest that this is the case.
The United Kingdom will continue to support the Montenegrin Government in strengthening your Euro-Atlantic ties. They are the most effective way to deliver on our shared priorities and to strengthen Montenegro's security and prosperity. We continue to stand by you as a close friend and partner in Europe.
Can the pro-Russian and pro-Serbian parties that are part of the government in Montenegro, or some of their initiatives (for example, proposing a law on "agents of foreign influence"), jeopardize Montenegro's path to the EU and the country's image as a reliable NATO ally?
Montenegro's membership in NATO and ambitions to join the EU require clear alignment with the goals, democratic principles and shared values of these organizations. We hope that the entire government is working in this direction.
How strong, in your opinion, is Russia's influence in Montenegro?
Montenegro has shown great resilience in confronting external influences that seek to undermine its democratic processes. However, the presence of disinformation and hybrid threats remains a very real challenge, not only here in Montenegro, but in a number of countries across Europe.
The UK firmly opposes the Kremlin’s persistent attempts to use disinformation, criminal and clandestine activities and corruption to undermine the sovereignty and democratic processes in Montenegro. We are taking a range of measures to support these efforts, including sharing our expertise, strengthening institutions and safeguarding the democratic system to counter these risks.
We will continue to stand with all our friends, partners and allies, including Montenegro, in defense of our shared democratic values and freedoms.
Do you think Montenegro is making progress in the area of the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organized crime? What do you see as the biggest challenge?
Montenegro has made visible and welcome progress in the fight against organized crime and corruption, with some notable results, including working with the United Kingdom to combat the trade in illicit cigarettes, which poses a threat to both security and public health.
However, some challenges remain, particularly in ensuring the functioning, accountability and transparency of key institutions.
The UK is providing significant support to Montenegro in preventing cigarette smuggling. Are you satisfied with the results so far in this field?
This is just one example of the excellent cooperation the UK has with Montenegro. Tobacco smuggling drains money from the Montenegrin economy and lines the pockets of criminals who sell it on the streets of Europe. This is a shared problem and we are proud to be working together to solve it.
The large seizure of tobacco at the Port of Bar, which I visited during this visit, is the result of our joint work. As Montenegro's future entry point into the EU single market, the port has great economic potential for the country.
So, it is essential that, in addition to our very important work together, we have legislative changes, institutional reform, and stronger law enforcement mechanisms to achieve lasting success. We also have an excellent relationship with the Chief Special Prosecutor, whose team is working on very complex investigations.
Strengthening the capacity of the police and prosecutor's office to conduct financial investigations is of great importance to us, and this remains our priority in Montenegro.
Would the introduction of vetting contribute to strengthening the judiciary, which, according to numerous reports by the European Commission and international organizations, is the weakest link in the system of government in Montenegro?
Judicial reform is crucial for the rule of law in Montenegro and for the ambition of EU accession.
Our position on vetting is that the decision on this remains with the Montenegrin authorities. The experiences of other countries could provide valuable insight into the implementation of key reforms when it comes to the rule of law.
If vetting is used, it must be implemented carefully, ensuring transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law. A comprehensive approach to judicial reform, supported by a strong institutional framework, will be key to restoring public trust and improving performance in this area.
The UK, like the US, has imposed sanctions on the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. Do you fear that his secessionist policies could lead to new tensions in the region, even conflict?
President Dodik's attempts to undermine the legitimacy and functionality of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina are contrary to the country's Constitution and only serve to create divisions among people.
Such reckless secessionist moves will not lead to a prosperous, inclusive, and stable future for anyone, including those living in Republika Srpska.
The United Kingdom will not hesitate to act against those who seek to undermine the territorial integrity and stability of the nation, including secessionist behaviour. We stand in defence of the Dayton Agreement and are committed to a peaceful and inclusive future for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Is the UK considering imposing sanctions on someone from Montenegro? Who?
We are not speculating about future sanctions. This is a long-standing UK policy, globally.
"We strongly support the EU-led dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo"
How much does the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo affect the stability of the entire Western Balkans region? Do you believe that normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is possible?
The UK strongly supports the EU-led dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and continues to encourage the leaders of both countries to engage constructively to reach a comprehensive and sustainable agreement to normalise their relations. This is in the interests of regional stability and the citizens of both countries.
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