EU Delegation: Maintain stable support for reforms, opposition to be constructive, Milatović not asked for mediation

Maintaining strong and stable political support for European Union (EU)-related reforms and decisions in the Parliament, including the constructive engagement of all parliamentary stakeholders, should remain a key priority for Montenegro, especially given its goal of concluding accession negotiations by the end of 2026.

This was stated today by the EU Delegation in Podgorica to "Vijesti", commenting on the opposition's reactions to the adoption of amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs and the National Security Agency (ANB), and the decision of the strongest opposition party - the Democratic Party of Socialists - to leave leading positions in parliamentary committees because of this.

The Delegation stated that the European Commission is aware of "the concerns expressed by civil society, trade unions and political actors" regarding the recent adoption of amendments to the laws on internal affairs and the National Security Agency.

"The Commission recalls that it was consulted on the draft laws and considers that the data protection provisions are not yet fully aligned with the EU acquis, in particular with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Law Enforcement Directive (LED)," they said.

As they added, the Commission advised that Montenegro ensure full compliance with the EU acquis, either before adoption (of the law) or through timely alignment before the closure of accession negotiations.

"Regardless of which coordination mechanism is chosen, it is essential that the process is inclusive and transparent, with meaningful participation by the opposition," the Delegation said.

When asked by "Vijesti" whether it was true that the Cabinet of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as reported by a Montenegrin media outlet, had asked Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović to mediate between the government and the opposition due to current developments, the Delegation responded negatively, indicating that the Commission expects all political actors to cooperate "in the spirit of dialogue, responsibility and institutional cooperation in order to advance Montenegro's EU accession process."

"EU accession is a joint national endeavor, which requires a broad consensus in order to fulfill the commitments undertaken and respond to the clear aspiration of the vast majority of Montenegrin citizens towards a European future and a higher quality of life within the EU. The Commission President's office did not ask President Milatović to mediate between the government and the opposition," the Delegation underlined.

They also told "Vijesti" that the Commission did not call for the withdrawal of the disputed regulations, but that it encourages Montenegro, in relation to all EU-related legislative initiatives, "to continue to act in a politically inclusive manner that preserves political stability and ensures broad consensus on its path towards the EU, including through constructive engagement of the opposition."