There are those in Montenegro who "prefer Moscow to Brussels", but in search of work and a better life, they go to the West, not to Russia, said the European Parliament rapporteur for Montenegro. Marjan Sharec, emphasizing that the only right path for the countries of the region is the European Union.
In an interview with "Vijesti", he said that Moscow is not interested in EU expansion to the Western Balkans, and that Belgrade does not want Montenegro to join quickly, because that would show it as more successful.
He believes that Montenegro has shown seriousness and a great desire to become the 28th member of the EU and should continue to do so, because "every closed chapter means a step towards membership."
He said that Montenegro is approaching the next phase, which is called the ratification of the accession treaty in the member states, and that, although it has already happened in the past that not everyone was willing to expand, Podgorica is in a completely different situation today - "there is success, and there is great support from citizens."
"And enlargement is just as important for the EU itself, and that's why I wouldn't like someone to give the red light at the very end."
He does not support ideas that can be heard from European officials, such as a "trial period" for new members, saying that membership is legally clear - if Montenegro closes all chapters and meets the criteria, then it is a member, without additional stages. He also believes that new members should not be limited in their veto rights, because the EU is based on equality and equal rights for all.
Montenegro closed five more negotiation chapters in December. How much of a real step towards membership is this, from the European Parliament's perspective?
Every closed chapter means a step towards membership and is very important. Of course, not all chapters are equally difficult and achievable, but all of them need to be closed so that we can say that we are at the end of the race.
Does the closure of a total of 12 chapters in negotiations with the EU clearly set Montenegro apart from other candidates in the region?
Certainly. Montenegro has shown seriousness and a great desire to become the 28th member of the EU and it should continue that way.
After closing five chapters, you said that Montenegro's progress still requires a clear and equal response from the EU, which must demonstrate through concrete decisions that enlargement to the Western Balkans remains a strategic priority, not just a declarative obligation. What exactly did you mean?
The closer we get to the end of the negotiations (of course, we are not there yet and there is a long way to go), the closer we get to the next phase - the ratification of the accession treaty in the member states. In the past, it has already happened that not everyone was willing to expand, and the reasons were different. A glaring example is North Macedonia, where the will weakened even after the requirements were met, starting with the change of the country's name itself, and the opening of the chapter did not happen. Later it did, but, as I said, the will has waned in the meantime.
Montenegro is in a completely different situation today, it is successful, there is great support from its citizens and it should remain so in the future. And enlargement is just as important for the EU itself, and that is why I would not like someone to give the red light at the very end.
Do you believe that Montenegro can become the next EU member by 2029? Why?
Anything is possible, if you want to. I am convinced that this is an achievable goal, but of course everything needs to go well. This year is very important. If it is done properly, then there is plenty of time for the ratification process. I believe this also because of the team working on the negotiations. I am sure that they will do everything possible. But others need to do their part as well, so that there are no unnecessary delays in the process itself.
How do you view France's delay in closing two chapters related to agriculture and fisheries? Could EU enlargement be in question if right-wing parties win the 2027 French elections?
Knowing European politics, I honestly think that the reasons were not so much on Montenegro's side. As for the elections in France, it is still too early to make any assessments. But it is one thing before the elections, another thing after the elections.
When do you expect the working group to draft the accession treaty with Montenegro to be formed?
I hope as soon as possible.
Is it true that there is an informal agreement between member states that the working group will convene for the first time when Montenegro “closes a sufficient number of chapters” and when the EU and member states gain insight and provide guidance “on the future format of accession treaties”?
It's true that there's still a lot of work to do, so it can't be said that there's already a delay. But there will certainly be those who want to wait as long as possible. But that's all to be expected.
This year is very important. If it is done properly, then there is plenty of time for the ratification process. I believe it is also because of the team working on the negotiations. I am sure that they will do everything possible. But others need to do the same, so that there are no unnecessary delays in the process itself.
Is it clearly defined how many chapters Montenegro must close for the working group to start working?
I personally don't have any information about the exact definitions.
You recently said in an interview that many people do not want Montenegro to join the EU, including actors within the region and outside Europe. Who does not want Montenegro to join the EU?
There are a few of them. Some because of their anti-EU stances, and some because of their own wrong or unsuccessful path. Of course, Moscow is not interested in the EU's expansion to the Western Balkans. And Belgrade does not want Montenegro to join quickly, because that would show Montenegro as more successful. Sitting on two chairs has not proven to be a successful policy and it would be better to strive for European values. And there are certainly those in Montenegro who prefer Moscow to Brussels. There are also some in Slovenia, to be honest. But when it comes to finding a job and a better life, everyone goes to the West, no one to Russia. For all countries in the region, the only right path is towards the EU, but of course that does not come easily. It takes sincerity, will and progress.
You opposed the idea of a “trial period” for new members. Why do you think that would be particularly harmful for Montenegro?
Formally, legally, it's like a marriage. A marriage is either concluded or it's not. Legally, there's no probationary period and I don't see any need to deal with that at all. Every member state that joined had to meet the criteria. If we agree that Montenegro has no more open chapters, then it has met the criteria and that's it.
Do you think that new members should be given limited veto rights, as is increasingly being heard from some EU members?
You hear all sorts of things, but my opinion is that it's about equality, which is what the EU is based on. That's why it wouldn't be fair if everyone didn't have equal rights.
We still have unresolved issues with Croatia, but we have not blocked them.
How do you view the fact that Croatia has blocked Montenegro from closing Chapter 31 (Foreign, Security and Defense Policy) and that it is making more and more demands for its closure?
If I may be a little sarcastic, I would like to welcome you to the club of Croatia's neighbors. Slovenia has experience in this matter, because we still have unresolved issues. We could have blocked it, but we didn't, so I hope that in the case of Montenegro it will be similar. But, let's understand each other completely... this does not mean that we need any more provocations in the future, such as the Jasenovac Resolution. Because this negates the efforts and work of those who work day and night on negotiations with the European Commission and is very harmful to Montenegro.
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