In the final phase of negotiations with the European Union (EU), it is extremely important that all institutions act in a coordinated manner and in the spirit of shared responsibility, because any setback can affect the dynamics of negotiations, said Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Filip Ivanović.
In an interview with the MINA Agency, Ivanovic said that the final phase of the negotiations must be conducted in a disciplined, planned manner and without delays.
He believes that by the end of the Cypriot presidency, Montenegro will have a good balance of closed chapters, as well as the start of work on the accession treaty.
According to Ivanovic, the closing of new negotiation chapters at the very beginning of the year is not just symbolic progress, but confirmation that the reform process is yielding measurable results and that the EU recognizes the seriousness and credibility of the policy.
"This is also a sign that this year we will have a greater number of intergovernmental conferences compared to the previous period, and I think that by the end of the Cypriot presidency we will have a good balance of closed chapters, as well as the start of work on the accession treaty," said Ivanovic.
He added that his expectations are simple - to realize the already set goal and agreed plan, which is the closing of all chapters and the completion of the technical accession process by the end of the year.
"Particular attention should be paid to chapters related to the rule of law, judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as strengthening public administration and economic standards, as well as environmental protection, as these are some of the most demanding chapters," said Ivanovic.
According to him, the arguments for optimism are clear.
"First, we have adopted a comprehensive set of reform laws and strategic documents that directly fulfill the obligations from the negotiation process. Second, the administrative capacities of the state administration have been significantly strengthened, and coordination between institutions has been raised to a higher level," said Ivanovic.
He said that there is also a stable political will and a clear consensus that European integration remains the absolute foreign policy priority of the country, as well as that they have continuous and constructive cooperation with the European Commission (EC) and member states.
"The European path, however, is not just a technical process of closing a chapter. It is a fundamental transformation of society," Ivanovic pointed out.
According to him, every reform they implement means more efficient institutions, a safer judiciary, better protection of citizens' rights, a more favorable business environment, and greater economic opportunities.
"The final phase of the negotiations must be conducted in a disciplined, planned and uninterrupted manner. I am convinced that, with this pace of reforms and a clear strategic orientation, Montenegro has a realistic and achievable chance of becoming the first EU member state," emphasized Ivanovic.
Responding to the question of when new chapters could be expected to be closed and how many Montenegro could close during the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council, he said that he expects more frequent intergovernmental conferences this year.
"And I think we will all be satisfied with what has been achieved already halfway through the year, that is, at the end of the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU, which will then bring us into the final phase under the Irish presidency," said Ivanovic.
He said that he would not deal with numbers at this time, as it also depends on formal procedures and the consent of all member states.
"But what I can say with certainty is that we have done everything within the competence of the Government of Montenegro to make that number as high as possible. Our work dynamics clearly show that we have stepped deep into the phase of concrete results and have already fulfilled a significant part of the final benchmarks in numerous areas," emphasized Ivanović.
He pointed out that the implementation of reforms, not just normative changes, is a key criterion that the EC evaluates.
"When a country proves that its legislation is aligned with the EU acquis and that its institutions have the capacity to implement those standards, the EC gives a positive assessment, after which the member states make the final decision," said Ivanovic.
In that sense, as he said, Montenegro is today more administratively, normatively and politically prepared than ever before.
"We certainly face the most dynamic period ever when it comes to European integration, and it is necessary to reiterate that for ultimate success, it is necessary for all social and political forces to focus on consistent, dedicated and responsible work towards that goal, which is truly historic, just as failure would be historic if that goal is not achieved," added Ivanovic.
He said that he believes that everyone in Montenegro is aware of this.
"And that no one is ready to bear the permanent burden of missing the opportunity, which is now so clearly, but perhaps for the last time, appearing to us," Ivanovic said.
Responding to the question of how significant it is for Montenegro's European agenda that President Jakov Milatović nevertheless proclaimed 25 reform laws that the parliament adopted on Monday, he said that these are systemic laws that fully harmonize Montenegrin legislation with the EU acquis and form the basis for fulfilling the final benchmarks, on which the closure of negotiation chapters depends.
Ivanovic said that this speaks volumes about the importance of these laws and the necessity of the efficient work of the Government and Parliament, especially considering that we have entered the final year of negotiations, and that the prerequisite for closing the chapter is not only the adoption of reforms on our part, but also confirmation by the EC that the criteria have been met, which also takes time.
"I believe that in the sensitive and final phase of negotiations it is extremely important that all institutions act in a coordinated manner and in the spirit of shared responsibility, because any setback can affect the dynamics of negotiations and the perception of our reliability among European partners," said Ivanovic, adding that the European process implies synchronized work of all branches of government.
He said that, however, the fact that the laws were eventually promulgated shows that the national and European interest was recognized as a priority above all other considerations.
"For the Government of Montenegro, the European agenda is not just a daily political issue, but a development strategy for the state. It would be good if other government actors, at different levels, viewed it in the same way," added Ivanovic.
When asked whether the postponement of the adoption of these laws could have affected the dynamics of fulfilling obligations from the European integration process, prolonging the closure of negotiation chapters and achieving the goal of Montenegro closing all chapters by the end of the year, he answered in the affirmative.
"Any delay in adopting reform laws would have direct and concrete consequences for the dynamics of our negotiation process with the EU. The accession process is based on measurable results and the fulfillment of precisely defined obligations, as well as respecting agreed deadlines," said Ivanovic.
As he stated, there are clear transitional and final benchmarks for each negotiation chapter, and their fulfillment implies the adoption and implementation of specific legal solutions.
"So, if we had allowed a delay, it would automatically mean moving deadlines, slowing down the negotiation calendar and postponing decisions by the EC and member states on closing chapters. Such a situation would weaken our credibility as a candidate country, because the EU particularly values timeliness, consistency and institutional reliability," said Ivanovic.
He added that it should also be borne in mind that the European process takes place within clearly defined time frames related to the work of the EC and the presidency of the Council of the EU.
"Missing one cycle means waiting for the next one, which can lead to months of delays. Our approach is to conduct European integration in a planned, predictable manner and without institutional blockages. I believe that this is the only serious and responsible way of conducting state policy," Ivanovic stressed.
Responding to the question of whether European integration could be an excuse for the lack of adequate debate in parliament and the adoption of 25 laws in two extraordinary sessions that lasted a total of an hour and a half, he said that European integration must not be an excuse for circumventing democratic procedures, but that it also requires responsibility and the ability of institutions to act in a timely manner when it comes to the strategic interests of the state.
Ivanovic emphasized that these are not laws that were prepared hastily or without expert analysis.
"On the contrary, these are regulations that have been prepared for months through intensive work by line ministries, expert teams, legal experts and in constant communication with the EC. These laws have undergone detailed harmonization with European standards and are the result of a long and serious process," said Ivanović.
The parliamentary procedure, as he said, is the final stage of that work.
"The length of a parliamentary session itself does not reflect the scope of the work previously done, nor is it a measure of the quality of the law. The essence is in the content of the reforms and their effect, not in the formal duration of the debate," said Ivanovic.
As he stated, in situations where there are precise deadlines in the negotiation process and when it comes to meeting the final benchmarks for closing chapters, the state must demonstrate institutional operability.
"All reforms are being implemented in accordance with the Constitution, laws and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament, with full respect for democratic standards," said Ivanovic.
Their goal, he said, is for the process to be both inclusive and efficient.
"So, it is not a choice between democracy and efficiency, because our task is to provide both. That is exactly what we have done, quality reforms brought in through a legal procedure, within deadlines that enable the country's continued European progress," said Ivanovic.
Bonus video:
