Filip Ivanović, Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Foreign and European Affairs, is determined to see his country close the last chapters of its fundamental acquis by 2028.
This is what he told MEPs on the Committee on Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) on Wednesday 23 April, when he was invited to give an update on the reforms introduced by Podgorica (see EUROPE 13559/5).
Referring to the “broad social consensus” that reigns in Montenegro, the Deputy Prime Minister detailed the progress made thanks to the reforms passed: the economy, the environment, freedom of the media and of ethnic minorities, the fight against corruption and respect for fundamental rights... almost every sector has benefited from the current “shared political will”, he said.
“These are not just technical milestones, there is also a new culture of cooperation to reduce polarising issues and strengthen the rule of law”, he said.
However, several MEPs were cautious about the real substance of the country’s progress.
While the majority of the elected members of the AFET Committee support Podgorica on its path towards the EU, the practical implementation of reforms, particularly concerning the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, is open to question.
“Your commitment is real, you have proved it, but you will be judged by the test of reality”, said German MEP Michael Gahler (EPP), stressing the crucial need to guarantee the “total” independence of the judicial system.
Marjan Šarec (Renew Europe, Slovenian) agreed: “There is a lack of real implementation of the reforms undertaken”, pointing out that there was still a great deal to be done in the fight against crime and corruption.
Determined to assert his country’s status as a ‘leader’ in its progress towards the EU (see EUROPE 13547/2), Filip Ivanović said he agreed with some of the criticisms levelled at the judicial system, while recalling the “good results” achieved thanks to the latest reforms.
“We don’t believe that membership is a reward owed to us, but the result of reforms and a common will”, he maintained, reiterating Montenegro’s ambition to see its negotiations concluded by 2028. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)