The Montenegrin Parliament recognizes the continuation of fulfilling obligations on the path to accession to the European Union (EU) as an absolute priority in the coming period and will be maximally dedicated to that process, according to the Proposal for a Resolution on the Integration of Montenegro into the EU.
The draft resolution on Montenegro's integration into the EU was submitted by members of the European Integration Committee, for submission to the parliamentary procedure.
The Chairman of the Committee for European Integration, Ivan Vuković, said at a press conference on the occasion of the presentation of the document that Montenegro can become part of the EU only if it is united around that goal.
"As an expression of our political responsibility and unreserved commitment, as a confirmation of our readiness to put all our political differences aside in the run-up to the most important year for Montenegro's European integration process in order to ensure a better life for all our citizens in a united Europe, today we present to you the Proposal for a Resolution on the European Integration of Montenegro," Vuković stated.
The draft resolution, the text of which Vuković presented to journalists, states that Montenegro's entry into the EU represents the most important strategic task and goal of state policy.
"The Assembly emphasizes that the status of a full EU member state will create long-term preconditions for respecting independence, strengthening security, developing multiethnic democracy, affirming the principles of the rule of law and economic prosperity of Montenegro in the interests of all citizens," the draft resolution states.
It is stated that the Parliament is convinced that Montenegro can close the remaining negotiation chapters in the negotiation process with the EU by the end of next year.
"The Parliament of Montenegro recognizes the continuation of fulfilling obligations on the path to EU accession as an absolute priority in the coming period. The Parliament commits itself to maximum commitment to the European integration process, recognizing the positive political momentum for EU enlargement," the resolution reads.
The Parliament of Montenegro will, as announced, use all institutional capacities for the purpose of conducting parliamentary diplomacy with the aim of strengthening the support of member states for Montenegro's accession to the EU.
The Draft Resolution states that the Parliament will give its full contribution to coordinated institutional action, with the Government and President of Montenegro, in the interest of completing accession negotiations with the EU within the aforementioned deadline.
"The Parliament of Montenegro will fully contribute to improving cooperation with representatives of civil society organizations and the media community for the purpose of strengthening social consensus regarding the European integration process," the document adds.
It is emphasized that the Assembly will fully contribute to the development of good neighborly relations and provide the necessary support to the countries of the region in the process of European integration.
"The Parliament of Montenegro tasks the Committee on European Integration with coordinating the implementation of the above activities," the draft resolution states.
Vuković thanked his colleagues from the Committee on European Integration for their trust, support and dedicated work in the interest of Montenegro's European perspective.
As he stated, it should be noted that the Committee's resolution comes two days after the great success that Montenegro achieved at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels.
According to Vuković, the closing of five negotiation chapters represents a very strong step in the right direction and at the best possible time for Montenegro and the European integration process.
Asked to comment on Hungary's blocking of the adoption of the conclusions on enlargement by consensus, Vuković said that the country's position "is not from yesterday."
"It is known that official Budapest views the situation in Ukraine differently than the rest of the EU, and their reservations regarding this plan are, above all, a consequence of the fact that the plan also contains a provision regarding foreign policy towards Ukraine, or the EU's future obligations in that regard," Vuković said.
He said that the position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has nothing to do with Montenegro.
"Moreover, Hungary has long been of the view that the EU enlargement process should move forward and Hungary recognizes Montenegro as a leader in the European integration process, so I think that is not something we should worry about," Vuković added.
He said that we need to pay attention to one more thing.
"You have heard the announcements about the formation of an ad hoc group to draft an accession treaty for Montenegro. If that were to happen, I think we would be almost on the verge of EU membership. I suggest that we all pay special attention in the coming period to that part of this story, because if that work is formalized, we will have much more reason for optimism than we have today," Vuković said.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee for European Integration Jovan Subotić said that he hopes that the Draft Resolution represents the nucleus around which all those elected to be representatives of the citizens of Montenegro have gathered, to whom, as he added, they should bring a better, more peaceful, more beautiful life.
"This should be something that will bring us together in the future, that will raise our awareness that our communication in the future should be more professional, more beautiful and for the good of the citizens of Montenegro. The good of our country is the good of all of us," Subotić emphasized.
Bonus video:
