Brussels, 10/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - Seriously concerned by the internal political divisions in Montenegro and the boycott of parliamentary activities by an opposition party, MEPs urged all parties on Thursday 10 March to re-engage in sustainable dialogue and constructive cooperation within the Montenegrin parliament.
“Dialogue and compromise are cornerstones of any democratic decision-making process”, underlined MEPs in the resolution by Charles Tannock (ECR, UK) on the 2015 report on Montenegro, which they adopted. They stated that they consider it “essential for a well-functioning democracy that any form of protest be conducted peacefully and in line with the relevant laws” and that they expect the competent authorities to investigate thoroughly and in a timely manner all incidents of violence that occurred during the protests.
MEPs urge all opposition parties to consider the invitation to enter the government until the elections in October 2016 “in order to ensure, without any further delay, that the conditions for free and fair elections are guaranteed”. They also want the capacities of the Montenegrin parliament to be consolidated and freedom, pluralism of the media and freedom of expression to be strengthened. The government must also continue to adhere to the principles of merit, de-politicisation, accountability and transparency in public administration and fully implement the rules on the independence, accountability and professionalism of the judiciary. MEPs urge the government to launch further structural reforms.
Despite positive legislative progress, corruption continues to pose a serious problem, Parliament says. It calls on the government to make tackling corruption one of its priorities by allocating sufficient human and budgetary resources to it and by continuing to further strengthen the legislative and institutional framework. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)