The government has an answer to every scenario when it comes to the construction of the collector in Botun.
This was announced by Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević at today's session of the Parliament, responding to parliamentary questions from the head of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) parliamentary group, Andrija Nikolić.
He asked Gorčević to comment on the problem of building the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Botun.
"What are the possible consequences for Montenegro's EU integration if the construction of the wastewater treatment plant in Botun does not begin by the end of the year, and does the Government have a ready response if part of the Government coalition persists in opposing this project?" he asked.
He said that the Podgorica and state authorities are expressing determination that the collector will be built, but that he is not sure whether they believe in it.
"This is a test of the state's ability to govern, or rather, the government's ability to govern. But if someone threatens to physically prevent the implementation of that project, saying that they are not bound by the provisions of the Government, but rather by a referendum of the citizens of Zeta, and that they are part of the ruling coalition, what kind of message is being sent? If the decisions of a local referendum can suspend state decisions, the question arises as to whether the Government has control over the entire territory of the state," he pointed out.
Nikolić said that "this is about EU taxpayers' money."
"We have a crisis of power and the coming time will show that. The Prime Minister would probably say that he does not want to deal with rural issues," he said.
Gorčević said that the Government has no intention of avoiding problems, and that they are solving many problems that have been swept under the carpet.
She added that for them, "the Botun issue represents an important infrastructure project."
"Any delay in the start of construction, which is scheduled for the end of the year, brings significant financial consequences," she said.
Gorčević pointed out that administrative procedures are in the final phase, and that the Ministry of Spatial Planning has issued a building permit, but also that permits have been issued by the Ministry of Ecology and the Environmental Protection Agency.
"The colleagues to whom the question refers (the Democratic People's Party) are not in the room, I don't see why I should answer you about what the Government will do towards a particular coalition partner and speak at the level of announcements. But I will try to answer you correctly, the Government has an answer to every scenario that may occur, but I will remind you that the process is ongoing. And I express my full support to the Mayor of Podgorica, Saša Mujović, who is trying to solve the remaining problems in the best possible way," she said.
Nikolić read statements by Democratic People's Party leader Milan Knežević about the collector, adding that the Botun issue is a "hot potato" for the Government, but also that Brussels is concerned about how to protect its interests.
"The announcement of a trial period, or limited voting rights in the EU, best shows how Montenegro is viewed," he said.
She said that Brussels has shown in many ways that it wants Montenegro in the EU.
As she stated, European Commissioner Marta Kos told her that there are no first- and second-class EU citizens.
"Montenegro, if everything goes well, will enter as a full member in 2028, with full voting rights," said Gorčević.
The course of the session
MP from the Citizens' Alliance "CIVIS" Maja Vučelić asked the Minister what the level of implementation of the Second Semi-Annual Report on the Implementation of the Reform Agenda of Montenegro for the Period 2024-2027 is, but also what specific measures the Government has taken in order to align its monitoring and reporting methodology with the indicators in the manner analyzed and assessed by the European Commission (EC) in the next reporting period.
Gorčević pointed out that the Reform Agenda is "an extremely important instrument that the Government uses in the pre-accession period", but that it is "only one of the pillars that the Government uses".
"I will remind you that the Government has successfully implemented SEPA for our citizens, and the 'Single Market' academy will be opened tomorrow, which will train our experts for the single market," she pointed out.
As she added, on July 11, 2025, the Government of Montenegro submitted to the European Commission the Second Semi-Annual Report on the Implementation of the Reform Agenda, which contained data on the status of implementation of a total of 18 reform steps, 11 of which referred to regular obligations with a deadline of June 30, 2025, while seven steps were carried over from the previous reporting period, whose original deadline was February 28, 2025.
"The total allocation for the second tranche is around 8.100.000 euros," she said.
Gorčević added that the evaluation is carried out by the EC, and as a result, there may be inconsistencies because that body may ask additional questions about some reforms.
"In addition, the MEP has developed an ID card for each indicator, in order to identify all relevant information," she said.
Jovan Subotić, a member of the Nova Lista party that represents the Europe Now Movement (PES) parliamentary group, asked the minister whether Montenegro today has sufficient administrative and professional capacity in the state administration to implement all the reforms required by the final phase of negotiations, given the frequent personnel changes, departures of experts and lack of expertise in certain areas.
Gorčević said that the EC report shows reform in public administration as well, but indicates that personnel planning is being done now.
"I am very proud of the entire administration because they work day and night," she said.
She explained that the mapping of expert staff has begun because one of the obligations is "building legal and normative human resources capacities necessary for monitoring, transposing and implementing the EU acquis."
Subotić announced that "the path to the EU is the path of the entire state and all local governments."
Miloš Pižurica (PES) asked Gorčević whether the Government has prepared a financial assessment of the costs and capital investments needed to close the negotiation chapters and prepare Montenegro for EU membership, as well as whether there is an estimate of how much harmonization with European standards in the areas of infrastructure, environmental protection, energy and agriculture will cost, and whether the state has the fiscal capacity to present it.
He explained that European integration is, above all, an economic process.
Gorčević responded that the Government, through the Ministry of European Affairs and in cooperation with all relevant institutions, is monitoring and analyzing the financial needs and capital investments required for the closure of negotiation chapters, as well as the comprehensive preparation of the country for full membership in the EU.
"Special attention has been paid to sectors where the greatest investments are needed. The results of all analyses show that it has the fiscal capacity and institutional framework to fulfill its obligations with responsible planning and phased implementation of investments," she explained.
Gorčević pointed out that the investments relate to infrastructure, strengthening administrative capacities, and expert support, but also that one of the most expensive and complex chapters is certainly Chapter 27, which concerns the environment and climate change.
"Given that we will have certain transitional periods in this chapter, the working estimate is that by 2035, planned investments of three billion euros will be made. The largest investments concern the construction and reconstruction of wastewater treatment plants in all major cities, as well as sewage infrastructure and water control systems, around 900 million euros. Then, for air protection and climate change, around 350 million euros, and the improvement of the nature protection system, around 200 million euros," said Gorčević.
Pižurica said that it is often mentioned that Montenegro's entry was caused by geopolitics, not merit.
The Minister said that the EC report is factual, and that Brussels is sending a message that Montenegro can become a member if it continues with reforms.
"It is clear to everyone that Montenegro is a much more advanced candidate compared to the others," she pointed out.
Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Aleksandra Vuković Kuč asked how the election of Constitutional Court judges reflects on Montenegro's EU integration, but also why the government does not take responsibility and initiate the much-needed dialogue with the opposition regarding this issue.
She pointed out that "a constitutional coup was carried out in the Parliament a year ago."
"This situation caused a constitutional-political crisis when it was detected in the EC report... It was truly thought that, after the agreement with Milojko Spajić, the recommendations of the Venice Commission would be implemented," she said, adding that the provision that judges be elected by a two-thirds majority was introduced so that the opposition would also vote for them.
Gorčević said that currently the Constitutional Court has four out of seven judges, and that in the next 10-15 days there will be a vote for three judges, and in December for another vacant position.
"The government is doing everything to provide an institutional environment and encourage dialogue, which is confirmed by our repeated appeals to MPs to show responsibility and commitment to European values through the election of Constitutional Court judges," she said, adding that "this is not about the interests of individual parties, but about the interests of the state."
Vuković Kuč pointed out that the only fair thing would be for "the voting for judges to be a product of dialogue."
"You, as the ruling majority, are acting by building a wall and placing blocks on it in order to prevent a conversation with those who think the same way about integration as you do. You say there will be a vote every now and then to get the points... So I guess we should enter the EU as a country with a changed spirit," she said.
DPS MP Nikola Janović asked what the reasons were for Montenegro not implementing a significant part of the steps from the Reform Agenda, and why only 19,7 out of over 52 million euros were withdrawn, and whether the NGO sector's claims that the problem was the implementation of reforms and the disagreement between Montenegro and the EC were true.
Gorčević said that the state is not losing money, but is receiving it in phases, in accordance with the EC's assessment of the implementation of reforms.
She added that the EC sometimes requests additional clarifications.
"The EC is interested in implementation. We are the most transparent of all candidate countries and the interested public can follow our every step. Our administration works very concretely," said Gorčević.
She added that the same people are working on closing chapters, on reforms, on the agenda, and on IPA projects.
"One of the reforms for which we have not yet withdrawn money is the amendment to the Constitution. The deadline was June 30th... It could not be adopted within that deadline, but the funds will be paid when it is completed," she said.
Janović indicated that he "believes that the MEP is working diligently."
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