The reform of the European Union (EU), including the decision-making process, should be implemented after Montenegro joins the EU, according to the European Parliament rapporteur for Montenegro, Marjan Šarec.
In an interview with the MINA agency, Šarec said that Montenegro is still the leader among candidate countries for EU membership.
Commenting on the possibility that new members of the Union will receive only limited voting rights, Šarec recalled that the idea of reforming the EU's political structure has existed for a long time and that one of the main reasons for this is insufficient efficiency in decision-making, especially in times of crisis.
"The world around us has political systems that more or less make decisions very quickly. It is logical that a community with 27 members cannot achieve this and that it must go through many phases," Šarec explained.
As he said, slow decision-making is the main fact that leads to thinking about reforming the Union, although, as he added, there are others.
"It is very important to emphasize that the EU was made for good weather and a full stomach, but also that it is based on the assumption of unity. When crises come, the system has proven to be inefficient, largely due to countries like Hungary and Slovakia, and there could be others, that disrupt unity," said Šarec.
According to him, many in the Union fear that new members could make the job even more difficult and therefore want to first ensure that this does not happen.
Asked how realistic it is that such a voting method would be applied to Montenegro when it becomes a member, Šarec said that the reform should be implemented after Montenegro, and even Albania, joins the EU.
"As a friend of Montenegro, I still think that Montenegro cannot disrupt the order to such an extent and that it should accept Montenegro, and even Albania, and only then start with reform," Šarec emphasized.
He stated that, based on his previous experience, he was convinced that this would not happen quickly.
"We will lose momentum and create the conditions for another unsuccessful expansion," said Šarec.
He also emphasized that, on the other hand, he does not believe that there are no people in Montenegro who would create difficulties.
"But I have a higher goal in mind," Šarec added.
Asked whether Montenegro, as some analysts claim, has lost its position as the most successful country in negotiations with the EU, Šarec said that he believes the country still holds that position.
"Realistically, he still has that position. I closely follow everything that is written in the media, I read and listen to analysts, especially those who warn and are not optimistic," said Šarec.
According to him, in some cases it is clear that individual analysts do not have all the information and are external observers.
On the other hand, as he pointed out, it is important how they see the situation.
Asked whether it was expected that Montenegro and Albania would become members of the Union together, Šarec said that this could happen if Albania meets the criteria.
"If Albania meets the criteria, it will certainly have a realistic chance of joining the EU together with Montenegro," said Šarec.
He emphasized that this should happen on its own, and not "create a package at any cost."
"I hope that the authorities in the EU will look at it that way. It is fair that whoever completes all the tasks is accepted, regardless of the others," Šarec explained.
As he added, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Commenting on the criticism that has recently been directed at the State Prosecutor's Office in Montenegro from both the government and the opposition, Šarec said that any political comment on the work of the prosecutor's office can be considered pressure.
"The judiciary as a whole is, or should be, a separate branch of government and any political comment can be felt as pressure," emphasized Šarec.
As he stated, the prosecution is successful to the extent that it manages to solve criminal offenses, that is, based on how many criminals are convicted and imprisoned.
Crime, as he stated, exists, but it hasn't existed since yesterday, but for a very long time.
When asked to what extent events in the country can affect the accession process and whether Brussels hears enough about certain processes in Montenegro, Šarec said that Brussels hears about every event in the candidate country.
"People who deal with the enlargement process at the level of EU institutions must hear this, otherwise they would do their job poorly. Another issue is the impact of these developments on the process itself," said Šarec.
He said that political turmoil is an integral part of every democracy, depending on the distribution of votes in elections.
"In Hungary, for example, there are no such turmoils, because one party decides," explained Šarec.
As he said, he is concerned about social developments that are influenced by politics.
"I respect the church as an institution, but I think the church should be like Christ, giving hope and comfort to believers in difficult life situations, and leaving politics to politicians and the state," said Šarec.
He said that his position is the same in both Slovenia and Montenegro.
"Likewise, I have a hard time understanding politicians who do not celebrate the holidays of the country in which they perform their duties and behave in an inadequate manner towards the symbols of the country in which they live," Šarec said.
He emphasized that he could not agree with historical revisionism either.
Commenting on Montenegro's migration policy and the need for harmonisation with the EU, Šarec recalled that the Union has repeatedly stressed that Montenegro should change its visa regime.
"That was also a request in the process," Šarec said, adding that it was necessary to regulate this not only for the sake of the economy and tourism, but also for security reasons.
Asked whether Montenegro sufficiently and adequately protects the rights of foreigners and whether, as a future member of the Union, it can allow itself to become a closed society, Šarec said that the integration of foreigners into society is an issue that EU countries are also dealing with, adding that they are not always successful either.
"Every crime committed by foreigners further worsens the situation, and it is human nature to generalize and not look at the individual," Šarec said.
He also mentioned that in Slovenia, after the situation in which a Slovenian was killed by a blow to the head while protecting his son, they have a similar problem in their relationship with the Roma community, who are not foreigners, but citizens of Slovenia.
"Not all Roma can be equalized, we need to tackle those who engage in crime. The policy of dealing with migration is one of the most difficult for any country," said Šarec.
Asked whether negative chanting in Podgorica at the expense of one community, the destruction of business buildings and cars of foreign citizens, was acceptable for a country preparing for membership in the Union, Šarec stressed that it was not and that violence always breeds new violence.
"Not all foreigners are guilty of the crimes committed by individuals. It is difficult for many to understand this, and when fear creeps into people, it is very difficult to control it," said Šarec.
According to him, extremists have always known how to take advantage of such situations and blame foreigners for everything bad that happens in the country.
"I'm not just thinking about Montenegro, but about the whole of Europe. That's why I think it's better to have somewhat increased control, or rather, checks upon entry into the country, to prevent the entry of dangerous individuals to the greatest extent possible and to ensure that only those who are looking for work and have the intention to accept the way of life that exists in the country come," said Šarec.
He said that this is also necessary at the EU level.
"Generalizing a population does not bring anything good, we need to look at individuals," said Šarec.
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