Barley expressed condolences over the Cetinje massacre, said that DPS played a key role on Montenegro's path to the EU

Katarina Barli, Vice President of the Party of European Socialists and Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), expressed her condolences on the massacre that occurred on January 1st of this year in Cetinje.

The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) announced that Barli sent a message of support ahead of the 10th DPS Congress.

"Dear President Živković, Vice-Presidents of the DPS: Mr. Vuković, Mr. Eraković, Mrs. Vuković-Kuč, Mr. Dizdarević, dear Secretary General, Mr. Bogdanović, dear members of the Party Congress of the Democratic Party of Socialists. It is my pleasure to greet all of you, our social democratic friends in Montenegro, from Strasbourg. Allow me to express my deepest condolences to the victims of the massacre that occurred on January 1st of this year. Thirteen people tragically lost their lives. I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, but also to all citizens of Montenegro. I hope that the true consequences will be drawn from this terrible event and that the citizens and people of Montenegro will be able to heal," Barli emphasized, according to the message delivered by the DPS.

She added that the DPS congress "comes at a crucial moment for Montenegro on its path to becoming a member of the European Union, which is a goal we share and support within the social democratic family in Europe."

"You have all played and will play a central role in this process. This year marks 15 years since Montenegro became a candidate country for EU membership. Montenegro has come a long way in this time. I assure you that we look with great optimism to Montenegro becoming a member as soon as possible. That would be very important for Montenegro. And that would bring new dynamics to the enlargement process. It is important that it would be a clear signal that other influences in the region cannot stop the integration process. In the last 15 years, you as a party, as well as your representatives in the Parliament and the Government, have played a key role on Montenegro's path to EU membership, in Montenegro's membership in NATO and in ensuring Montenegro's Western orientation. DPS can be proud of this. Especially with the Russian aggression in Ukraine, we need Montenegro on the side of the EU, on the side of democracy, freedom and stability. I am sure that you will continue to play this constructive role in the European integration process and for a socially just Montenegro," said Barli.

In her words, "at the same time, any kind of growing ethnic tensions and the influence of anti-EU forces should be taken seriously."

"The EU institutions in the country, as well as the European Parliament, will do everything to reduce tensions so that membership by the end of the decade is not only a perspective but also a reality. As you know, I am a fierce fighter for the rule of law. I and we in Brussels are well aware of the political crisis that Montenegro is facing today. I think that a solution should be found that is in line with the Constitution of Montenegro and that allows for the unblocking of the situation in parliament. Finally, I congratulate the young leadership of the DPS on the reforms within the party and encourage all of you to move forward and deepen this process of strengthening democracy, participation and debate on the party's programmatic vision. With this, I would like to wish you a successful Congress and send greetings and solidarity from your social democratic family in Europe," Barli stated.