Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Ivan Vuković said that Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević personally told him that the Law on the National Security Agency (ANB) and the Law on Internal Affairs are not in line with the European framework, but also that she is silent on many moves by the ruling majority that threaten the European path.
He made this statement at today's session of the Parliament, where the minister answered questions from parliamentarians.
Social Democrat (SD) MP Boris Mugoša said that in 2021 the retirement age was lowered from 67 to 66 in order to "get even with one man" (Milivoje Katnić).
"I specifically pointed out that at that time, according to the Labor Law, we had to leave by force of law at 66, and according to the Law on Civil Servants and Employees at 66... And in the middle of last year, this Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Civil Servants and Employees and reduced the limit from 67 to 66 to bring it into line with the Labor Law. We said that this should not have been the case, but rather that the item in the Labor Law should be increased by one year," he said.
As he added, the Labor Law adopted a few days ago has again raised the limit to 67 years.
"What will those people from the state administration who had to retire at 66 by law do now?" he asked.
Pićan: What are the specific benefits of the EU?
Bojana Pićan from the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) asked Gorčević what specific benefits she would highlight from the process of accession to the European Union (EU), especially in terms of projects that have been implemented thanks to the support of EU funds, but also how she expects the further course of negotiations and potential membership in the union to affect economic development and the standard of living of citizens.
The Minister responded that through three financial perspectives - IPA I, IPA II and IPA III, Montenegro has been allocated around 790 million euros in grants for the period from 2007 to 2026.
"In the field of health, very visible results have been achieved. The construction of new clinics for infectious diseases and dermatovenerology at the Clinical Center in Podgorica, through a project worth 17,5 million euros, has significantly improved the availability and quality of health care. At the same time, investments in the area of the rule of law, including the reconstruction of courts and the construction of facilities for the execution of criminal sanctions, contribute to strengthening legal security and more efficient functioning of institutions," she said.
She added that this assistance also influenced employment and private sector development, and that 24 employment projects were implemented through the IPA 2020 program, worth 7,73 million euros, with additional support for the development of women's and youth entrepreneurship, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.
"When it comes to the future effects and impact of the further course of negotiations, or potential membership in the European Union, it is important to emphasize that this step would further accelerate economic development and improve the living standards of citizens. Unlike pre-accession funds, membership opens access to significantly more generous financial instruments, primarily structural and cohesion funds, the aim of which is to reduce development disparities within the European Union," she said.
Vuković: What does the minister know that Marta Kos doesn't?
Vuković recalled that the minister, after his party's MPs left the positions of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and Chair of the Committee on European Integration, Anti-Corruption, and an investigative committee in Parliament, said that this move "is not something that will help us, but it will not hinder us" in the European integration process.
"Unlike you, during a recent visit, Commissioner for Enlargement, Ms. Marta Kos, said that European integration is 'a project on which everyone must cooperate - both the opposition and civil society, and that because of that, the tensions seen in Brussels are not good'," he said.
Vuković asked the minister what she knew about the negotiations with the EU, and Kos did not know.
Gorčević emphasized that the Government sees European integration as the highest foreign policy and development priority of the state.
"In that sense, a clear and ambitious, but realistic plan has been defined to complete the negotiation process, i.e. the technical fulfillment of obligations from the negotiation chapters, by the end of 2026, and for Montenegro to become a full member of the EU by the end of 2028," she said, adding that this plan is in line with the expectations of citizens, but also with the messages they receive from international addresses.
She stated that "the process can only be completed through dedicated work."
"We face numerous and demanding issues that require broad political consensus, from judicial appointments, through constitutional changes, to the continuation of electoral and numerous other reforms. These are reforms that strengthen institutions, advance democracy and bring us closer to the EU. Therefore, I believe that it is in everyone's interest that these issues are resolved through joint action and a constructive approach," she said.
Vuković: You remained silent on problematic decisions
Vuković pointed out that "there is no answer", or rather that it is "a set of generalities".
"You never said anything about the problematic decisions of the ruling majority that supports you, which caused serious damage to European integration. You remained silent when someone thought of adopting that scandalous Resolution on the genocide in Jasenovac. We all knew what the political effects would be and that we would pay a heavy price in bilateral relations with Croatia, and now we cannot close Chapter 31. So you remained silent when the Constitutional Committee thought of early retirement of a judge of the Constitutional Court. You knew that this behavior was incompatible with any democratic norms," he said.
As he added, she was silent on other moves as well.
"You are silent about numerous phenomena that our partners are warning us about, including the situation in the public service. You have also remained silent about the scandalous adoption of two laws - on internal affairs and the National Security Agency, even though you told me that they are not in line with the European framework," he pointed out.
Vuković said that he and his colleague Andrija Nikolić were "told in Brussels that Montenegro is losing focus" and asked the minister who was "responsible for not closing all chapters."
"Who is responsible in a situation where there is unprecedented international support? Support that we did not have before 2020?... Are there those responsible in the Government? Is there anyone ready to say something concrete that is not slogans and generalities? Or do you have no time for denouncing the parliamentary opposition at international addresses? I told you that because that is what your closest associates are doing and are participating in that campaign. I am not referring to my colleague (Montenegro's chief negotiator with the EU Predrag) Zenović, with whom I had and have a correct relationship and who has managed to stay out of daily politics," he said.
Speaking about the two laws, Gorčević said that they were important for the closure of Chapters 23 and 24, and asked Vuković whether he thought it was possible to adopt them without the consent of the European Commission, and that they would call into question the closure of the chapters.
"I speak in clear language, the language of closing a chapter. I refer to sources from the European Commission. It is true that we had communication and that I informed you that there is a section relating to the harmonisation of the Law on the National Security Agency and Internal Affairs, which relates to the protection of personal data. I think I have told you and the public that. The proposal for harmonisation has been sent to the European Commission for an opinion," she said.
Gorčević told Vuković that "the job is not easy at all", but that "the state has a large chapter ahead of it".
"In May, we have an intergovernmental conference, we will close two chapters. We will have more chapters in June and July, we will see how everything goes with Ireland regarding the holidays, but I am sure that our plan to close everything, with such a clear conscience, I can say that we will manage to complete our part of the work," she stressed.
Vuković said that "the government's political manner, for which they and the state are paying the price, is arrogance."
"It is arrogant, Minister, for someone who knows what he is talking about and you know that he knows what he is talking about, someone who has been teaching two subjects related to European integration at the University of Montenegro for a long time, and even during a period when you were dealing with other things, which is honorable and legitimate, to act under the assumption that this someone has no idea, is a bit rude. You and the people in the Government are living in a delusion. You think you have a monopoly on information from Brussels," he said.
Vasilije Čarapić (PES) assessed that "statements that the minister is behaving arrogantly are inappropriate."
"You used the opportunity to compare your career as a university professor with Ms. Gorčević's previous career and thus degrade her in the eyes of the public, which is not correct," he said.
He asked "who decided that not all chapters would be closed by the end of the year," adding that "this was not decided by the Government, the parliamentary majority, or the EU."
Vuković said that "the Government is not directing its capacities towards achieving European goals."
"This is evident in the fact that a month ago this Parliament passed laws that are unthinkable in European democracies, establishing absolute political control over the public and secret police," he said.
"You are personally responsible, Mr. Čarapić, for Montenegro not closing all chapters. You and your club," Vuković pointed out.
A break of a few minutes was given.
After a break, Gorčević asked Vuković "whether he thought she was gossiping."
"I have never said anything against you or any opposition MP, either publicly or privately. Nor do I engage in gossip... As for the statement that we will close all chapters - if that sounds arrogant, I accept that I am arrogant," she said.
Vuković Kuč: Croatia is being blamed for the failure from the highest levels
Aleksandar Vuković Kuč (DPS) said that "nothing remains of gossip and fame."
"Your addresses are denouncing our neighboring country, Croatia. Imagine when you say from those addresses that Croatia is to blame for our slowing down of the integration process," she pointed out.
She asked the minister how she reconciled her assessment that the resignations of DPS MPs from positions in the Parliament of Montenegro, submitted after the adoption of laws in the field of internal affairs and the National Security Agency, which they consider unconstitutional and contrary to European standards, "are not something that will help, but neither are they ineffective, with the Kos position that without the active participation of the opposition and broad social consensus, there can be no successful progress in the European integration process of Montenegro."
"The prime minister came to our prime minister's office to spin a story, instead of discussing European integration and answering who will be responsible if we do not close the chapters," she said.
Gorčević responded that "it would be good if she said who was doing the talking, because it turns out that she is defending someone."
"What we are doing now is to be most prepared in 2028 when we become a member state. The government did not force the opposition to leave the committees. We will do everything we can... Appointments in parliament await us. My measure of responsibility is to work and have results," she said.
Vuković Kuč said that they hear from foreigners that the chapters will not be closed.
"We have a big challenge - Chapter 31 and we think we need to focus on it... It seems to me that all of you who are dealing with this process are a walking administration," she said.
She added that although they opened negotiations in 2012, the enlargement process was halted during that period.
"I think you should apologize for the statement about the opposition's non-participation, but also that what your colleagues are doing is frivolous, that the opposition is to blame for not closing the chapter. I think that by apologizing, as a woman, you might be an example to men in politics that the bigger your position, the smaller you should be," she said.
These are the exhausted questions aimed at Gorčević.
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