At the summit in Sofia, European leaders did not mention the balance clause and the suspension of negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the EU, but the common assessment is that it is time for Montenegro to respond to more complex challenges in the negotiation process, Prime Minister Duško Marković said today in Sofia after the EU-Western summit. The Balkans.
"No one mentioned the balance clause, on the contrary, everyone spoke positively about what Montenegro did, but we agreed that this is the moment when we have to respond to more complex challenges in the negotiation process. It is not the same to adopt legislation, accept standards, form institutions and meet the conditions for closing the chapters that enable the conclusion of the negotiation process. We must be more effective in the fight against crime," said Marković at the press conference, answering the question of whether recent events related to the attack on "Vijesti" journalist Olivera Lakić and the deteriorating security situation will slow down the negotiations and whether German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders mentioned the balance clause.
Marković said that solving that case is not only a question of political will, but also a question of the ability of police officers, prosecutors and other people in law enforcement bodies.
"To make them more capable, we need to have more money to train them and to stimulate them. Therefore, there is no stopping the negotiations, everything depends on Montenegro, no one mentions the balance clause, but of course they are looking for a clear answer from the state to this and similar cases and they are completely right. Of course, I am also looking for a clear answer from the state. We need to provide it and show them that result and in the end show that we are credible and capable of protecting European values, and media freedom is one of the key European values and not only of the EU but of the entire democratic world," said Marković.
As he added, today he had a special discussion with Merkel about the issue of media freedom and told her that he is ready to start a dialogue within Montenegro, first of all with the media, in order to build an environment where the freedom of journalists to write and engage in investigative journalism is inviolable.
"Regarding the specific case, I said that it was the greatest damage to our country, which for Montenegro went faster than light. And I said that we will do everything to find both the executor and the person who gave the order", said Marković and added that this is a big and difficult moment for Lakić, but also for the state and its democratic institutions.
He called on the media to work together to resolve this situation.
He also spoke with Merkel about efforts to resolve the issue of the border with Kosovo, as well as weaknesses "as she sees them", to work on strengthening the rule of law, a quality and more effective fight against organized crime and corruption.
According to him, if he does not give up, Montenegro has the ability to end the negotiation process by 2025 and begin the formalization of EU membership.
He announced that Montenegro will submit its final negotiating position on Wednesday.
"It is true that we are not ready for membership now, but we will use the opportunity as it suits our state and citizens' interests. Commissioner (Johannes) Hahn told the truth - none of the countries in the region are now ready for EU membership, but Montenegro is the closest, which (Antonio) Tajani also said directly in his presentation that Montenegro will enter the EU in 2025. is in line with my expectation and the Government's determination to end these negotiations in the next four to five years," said Marković.
Marković also said that he knows the name of the new negotiator for conducting negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the EU, but that due to the procedures, he cannot reveal who it is.
The Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Johannes Hahn, said at the summit that none of the countries of the Western Balkans are yet mature enough for the European Union, and after that, the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, said that it is possible to reach an agreement on the accession of Montenegro and Serbia to the EU. until 2025.
According to Marković, Montenegro has reason to be pleased that the Adriatic-Ionian road entered the agenda of European transatlantic corridors.
Tusk: We did not pretend that there were no problems in the Western Balkans
President of the European Council Donald Tusk said that the EU is the most reliable partner of the Western Balkans and that the connectivity agenda, which was one of the main topics of the summit, is not a substitute for enlargement.
"It is a way to use the time between today and tomorrow more efficiently than so far so that our citizens and businessmen do not have to wait for the benefits of European integration," Tusk said at the press conference at the end of the European Union-Western Balkans summit in Sofia.
He said that there is no plan B or alternative for the Western Balkans, which is an integral part of Europe.
"There were no hidden messages at this meeting, we did not pretend that there were no problems in the Western Balkans or in the Union, but we confirmed the European perspective and refused to mention deadlines. "We will not spoil a successful summit by saying that there are fast lanes for the EU, the perspective is open to everyone and everything depends on the member countries," said Tusk.
The next summit will be held in Croatia and that, he added, shows that the Western Balkans is a priority for the EU.
The President of the European Commission, Jean-Cold Juncker, is in favor of even faster connectivity and digital connections with the Western Balkans, emphasizing once again the importance of the right to rule, the fight against corruption and freedom of expression.
He confirmed that the EU will quickly start taking measures to protect its companies in Iran from US sanctions.
He said that if the EU gets a permanent exemption from US tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, it is ready to start talking with the US on how to improve trade relations.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov is counting on the EU's support for the development of the Western Balkans even after the end of the Bulgarian presidency.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy did not appear at the European Union - Western Balkans summit this morning. He left Sofia last night protesting the presence of Kosovo, which is not recognized by official Madrid, but also by four other EU states, as an independent state.
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