Speaking to a half-empty Montenegrin parliament (due to a boycott of the institution by the opposition that has been going on for several weeks), High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on the opposition and government majority, on Wednesday 1 March, to work together.
"Let me call on all parties in this country – those that are here today, and those that aren’t – to overcome any outstanding issue, and work together for the sake of your people", she said, underlining the importance of exercising one's responsibilities inside democratic institutions. "The political fight can be tough (...) But the game needs to be played in the field", she added. Mogherini said she was sure the two sides would find "a solution, the necessary dialogue, the necessary understanding, the necessary commitment", and that "the opposition will be able to take once again its place in this parliament". "An inclusive political dialogue is crucial to Montenegro’s future, both as a democracy and as a candidate country" for EU accession, she stated.
In Mogherini's view, the path towards the European Union can be a powerful motivation to seek unity beyond legitimate natural disagreements. Together with Montenegro's Prime Minister Duško Markovic, she hailed the country's progress on its European path, with Montenegro forging ahead in the negotiations. The country has already opened 26 of the 35 accession negotiation chapters. "The EU's door is open. We want you to come in", Mogherini said, adding that the EU was ready to welcome new members and that accession was not "a distant dream". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)