The Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister, Dritan Abazović, insisted on his country’s European ambitions before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday 17 March, in an attempt to dispel the idea that his government is pro-Russian.
“The government is 101% committed to the EU and anyone who would turn away from this path would not be our partner in the future; we have only one goal and one clear partner, and that is the EU”, he explained, adding that his country was continuing to move forward on the European path and in its partnership with NATO.
Montenegro has been a candidate for EU membership since 2010 and “the key objective (of the government) is for Montenegro to be the next full member of the EU”, he said.
Mr Abazović stressed the need for his country to make progress on the Rule of law, particularly in the fight against corruption and organised crime. In particular, he cited the need to work on the special prosecutor. “If we want results, we need new management of the prosecutor’s office”, he said. Mr Abazović announced that his country had established a high-level Anti-Corruption Council, including prominent members of civil society.
More generally, the Deputy Prime Minister felt that civil servants needed to be replaced. “New people and a new energy are needed in all institutions (...) people who have been in the same position for 30 years and who have not achieved results will not achieve results in the future”, he said. It is not about revenge, he said, but about the responsibility of the people in these positions. No individual should be above the interest of the country, Mr Abazović justified.
Improving the environment for media and journalists, who face attacks in the country, is another priority. “The government is doing its utmost to see how to support the media and create a better environment. The polarisation of society makes this task more difficult”, acknowledged the Deputy Prime Minister.
He also called on the EU to help with his country’s difficult economic situation. The country lost 25% of its GDP last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as its economy is heavily dependent on tourism. “We need to find a solution to help us start the Covax Facility and mass vaccination and for the mobility of people, especially for the tourist season”, he explained, advocating for ‘green corridors’ for his region.
“We don't want to feel alone. We live in a time when we need to show more solidarity; solidarity at this critical moment is more important than ever to understand and strengthen our partnerships”, stressed Mr Abazović. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)