Eight decades since the wartime triumph over fascism and almost as many since the formal inception of the idea of a united Europe, the Montenegrin political scene is increasingly talking about so-called European values. Both the government and the opposition swear by them, proclaiming themselves to be the exclusive representatives of that concept, while at the same time accusing the other side of being anti-European. One thing is certain, however: European values are today mostly only used as a phrase, which, like many others, such as those about anti-fascism and a civic Montenegro, is “used” by whoever gets there for their own account. The neglect of the state and society - in terms of underdeveloped democracy, inequality, the absence of the rule of law... - is the best confirmation of this thesis.
Such circumstances raise several questions: what, in fact, are European values, do they exist in Montenegro, who really represents them and how, do they even exist in Europe and the EU, which are seemingly increasingly sliding towards paths that are difficult to connect with those built after World War II?
The interlocutors of "Vijesti" assess that European values - freedom, democracy, human rights, solidarity, social justice... - are certainly present in Montenegro, just as there are openly anti-European ones. European values are not exhausted in formal legal definition, but in their "living", say the interlocutors, adding that due to the frequent use of this phrase, it has been reduced to an empty concept that in practice means - nothing.
The capitulation of Nazi Germany on this day exactly 81 years ago ended World War II in Europe, and that date is commemorated as Victory over Fascism Day. Given that, Moscow time, the capitulation was signed on May 9, that date is accepted as Victory Day in the Soviet Union and areas under its influence, while in Western countries it is celebrated a day earlier.
May 9th is also celebrated as Europe Day, because on that day in 1950 the creation of the EU began - that is when the so-called Schuman Plan was published, whose authors were Robert Schumann i Jean Monet, who are considered the embodiment of that community.
European values are not EU integration
Speaking about European values, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Donja Gorica Nikola Šaranović reminiscent of the writing of an ancient poet Reader in the epigram “Europe's Kiss”, which states that “Europe kisses by breathing in the soul from within.” Šaranović assesses that this is how the current relationship between the EU and Montenegro appears.
"... Like a kiss between a couple in love who sees no flaws in each other, but rather sees in each other a 'now or never' enlargement, or membership - the first as a sign of geopolitical vitality, the second as a panacea for all our ills," he told "Vijesti".
Šaranović states that, in doing so, people in Montenegro swear by European values as a given, forgetting that this is a set of givens for the EU itself. This is the case, he says, despite the fact that the EU values are proclaimed in the treaty on that community, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Lajen 2021, speaking about the "state of the EU", recalled Schuman's words: "Europe needs a soul, an ideal and the political will to serve that ideal."
Šaranović pointed out that European values are not exhausted in formal legal definition, citing Article 2 of the EU Treaty:
“The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. These values are common to all Member States in a society characterised by pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men.”
In this context, the interlocutor paraphrases the words Valtazar Bogišić: "He who only knows the words of Article 2 does not yet know Article 2, until he understands its reason and meaning."
“... It is useful to recall the insight of the philosopher Charles Taylor, which talks about the values that make up the 'philosophy of civility'. We can translate this term as the philosophy of citizenship, but perhaps even more beautifully - as the philosophy of politeness," he said.
Šaranović assessed that this is the difference between "European values" as the mantra of Euro-integrationism, and European values as the core of the idea of Europe, adding that the former are represented by propagandists from whom European values should be defended, and that the latter are personified by Schuman, whom the Catholic Church declared "venerable" in 2021, among other things because of his commitment to politics "understood as a mission and service, as well as an act of submission to the will of God."
"In the end, what we strive for on a large scale, we should first demonstrate on a small scale. What we strive for in the EU, let's demonstrate first in Montenegro. Before Montenegro becomes part of the EU, the EU should become part of Montenegro," said Šaranović.
Something for everyone
Philosopher Slađana Kavarić Mandić She told "Vijesti" that the formulation of "European values" is overused in Montenegro, and has thus been reduced to an empty concept that means nothing in practice. She noted that many people refer to Europe - from neoliberal organizations and modern political opportunists, to those more radical right-wingers who want to support their dubious worldviews with right-wingism, which, she claims, is not lacking in the leading EU countries.
"So, everyone finds their own niche in these European values, which they use to justify their petty, current interests," the interviewee emphasized.
She pointed out that for her, European values are almost dead, and that they die with every new victim in Gaza, with every new Ukrainian loss, or "perhaps better said - with every death anywhere in Europe and around Europe that occurred because of its decision to do nothing or to diplomatically bid with the lives of foreigners on its territory or, even easier - outside it."
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"Therefore, on the occasion of Victory over Fascism Day, I would rather speak about the need to cultivate humanistic values, which are increasingly absent in the official policies and foreign policy moves of European leaders," said Kavarić Mandić.
Former head of Montenegrin diplomacy Miodrag Lekić He said that there are certainly European values in Montenegro, just as there are openly anti-European ones. He states that the third category between the two is European rhetoric with anti-European practice.
"Montenegro had European characteristics even before this phase, which we can call the 'long march through the chapters'. Namely, it is an indisputable fact that Montenegro is a protagonist of European history. The historical ideal in the past and for a longer period was the construction of the country as an 'honest house'. True, today there is no European chapter under that title, but it was about the aspiration towards a just society, and translated into today's vocabulary - these are the values of a just state and social justice," Lekić told "Vijesti".
He noticed that today, despite the importance of the negotiation chapters being completed - which, he says, is objectively a positive result - there is a lot of propaganda and populism that easily appropriates terms such as "anti-fascism" and "civil society", and that often, despite the extensive verbal use, the essence of these terms is not known.
"Especially the term 'civic', which is not sufficiently explained and mastered in Montenegro. Some even believe that the reality of Montenegro as a collection of nations and increasingly limited national identities is a confirmation of the civil character of the state. Although it is actually an anti-civic model. And potentially very risky for the country," the interlocutor assessed.
Lekić also claims that the term "anti-fascism" is being misused in Montenegro, emphasizing that the public is witness to the fact that in recent decades, corruption-mafia circles have also sought to achieve a "transfer" towards anti-fascism in order to conceal their essence.
The ticking of small steps for Europe
Asked whether there are European values in today's Europe, Lekić answered in the affirmative, adding that it is more than clear that the EU is going through a deep crisis that requires major changes - in vision, strategy, as well as functioning mechanisms.
"In other words, the EU is also taking its European test today. It is the most difficult in its history due to the obvious breakdown of the previous international order and the current state of 'disorder' in the world. The EU has missed some opportunities in recent history for which it is now paying the price. I am not referring primarily to the economic dimension, but to its irrelevance on the international level," he underlined.
According to him, it is enough to say that the EU does not have a protagonist role in contemporary crises, it is outside the negotiation processes - from the Middle East, through the Ukrainian-Russian war, to the war in Iran with its numerous consequences.
Lekić pointed out that this moment is therefore at the same time a great temptation, but also a great opportunity, noting that it is difficult to predict which direction the EU will choose, or whether it will have the strength to make a progressive, historic turn.
In any case, the interviewee states that the time for the long-standing correct philosophy and strategy of "Europe of small steps" formulated by Jean Monnet has expired.
"At this historical moment, major decisions are necessary based on a strategic compass, formulas defined somewhat earlier, but lost somewhere in the meantime," said Lekić.
Kavarić Mandić: Today we remember Koča Popović, not Šuman
Speaking about what European values entail, Slađana Kavarić Mandić said that there is something too elitist in reducing these values to territory, to geography - to Europe.
She emphasized that values must be universal, positive, and focused on nurturing the human in the broadest possible sense.
"The reduction of values to a set of implied territorial principles is fundamentally wrong, as if it were intended to emphasize that only the chosen ones are able to achieve these values. And when something applies to some people and not to others - then it is unjust and fascistic. That is what is present in today's Europe - injustice and fascism," the interviewee underlined.
Kavarić Mandić said that, "since we ourselves nurture divisions in our genetic code," the rush towards the EU is quite logical, but that on the day that celebrates anti-fascism, we should remember - not Robert Šuman, "but our historical heroes", for example, the national hero and famous partisan commander Koča Popović, who liberated Zagreb in May 1945.
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