First panel discussion of BIRN and CCE

Montenegro on the Way to the EU

Centre for Civic Education (CCE) and Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) organized in Podgorica on November 16, 2007 a round table, “Montenegro on the way to the EU: progress and challenges”.
Taking part in the panel discussion were the Montenegrin deputy Prime Minister, Gordana Djurovic, the representative of the European Commission in Montenegro, Eric Trotemann, and the coordinator of the Stability Pact for SEE, Goran Svilanovic.

The event was moderated by Nedjeljko Rudovic, BIRN coordinator for Montenegro and Editor in Chief of EIC Bulletin.

The starting point for the discussion was the “EU’s progress report for Montenegro 2007”, published earlier this month, reflecting on the country’s achievements, and the challenges that remain on its way to the EU.

The overall assessment of Montenegro’s progress was positive. Goran Svilanovic said that Montenegro, despite its efforts, should wait for Serbia on the way towards accession to the EU.

“Montenegro has made significant progress towards accession, but Brussels should consider its application for the status of candidate for membership together with Serbia and Albania next year,” said Svilanovic.

Djurovic stressed the readiness of the administration in Podgorica to take all necessary steps as part of the process of EU accession in next five years. She said that “European integration processes and dynamic development of society are the choice of the people of Montenegro,” and that the government was truly dedicated to the final goal, full membership.

The European Commission’s representatives presented the results from latest Report on Montenegro’s progress towards the EU, and said that the problems of corruption and organized crime remained the biggest issues in Montenegro. “It is necessary to have a wider consensus on all key issues during the implementation of reforms in all areas of society,” said Mr. Trotemann.

The audience actively participated in the two-hour debate.

Reports about the event were broadcast in the main news on TVCG, IN TV, Montena TV, MBC TV. MINA News Agency and daily newspapers Vijesti, Dan, Pobjeda and Republika also published extensive reports on the event.

Accents from debate

The EU May Want a Joint Bid by Serbia and Montenegro

Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister Gordana Djurovic said the Montenegro would submit its candidacy for EU membership in the first half of 2008. However, Goran Svilanovic, a representative of the Stability Pact for SEE, believes Montenegro might want to defer its plans in order to submit a joint bid with neighbouring Serbia.

“Montenegro, Serbia and Albania are expected to submit their candidacies next year”, Svilanovic said. “The feeling in Brussels is that Montenegro is ready to move forward while waiting for Serbia to complete its own finishing touches.
“Albania will also be allowed to jump on the bandwagon, although it’s not ready yet, but all this is unofficial and a definitive decision is unlikely to be made before 2009, when the Czech Republic takes over the EU’s Presidency. Our common goal is to meet the standards in order to submit a joint bid for EU membership in 2009,” Svilanovic said.

A panel board debate called “Montenegro on the EU path – progress and challenges,” organised by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) and the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), focused on the issue of EU candidacy, but European Commission representative Eric Trotemann declined to predict how quickly Montenegro could join the EU.
“The EC does not comment on dates related to candidacy. The implementation of the Agreement on Stabilization and Association (SAA) and reforms in Montenegro should substantially improve Montenegro’s relations with the EU,” said Trotemann, a member of the first EC delegation in Montenegro that started working two weeks ago.

Djurovic pointed out Montenegro had no reason to be unhappy with this year’s achievements in its effort to join the EU, adding that agreements with the EU on free trade, a less stringent visa regime and repatriating illegal Montenegrin migrants should start in January.
She said the National integration programme, still in its early stages, should provide a clear picture of Montenegro’s international commitments over the next five years.
“European integration and a dynamic transformation of our society are the choice we have made. I hope we live up to the occasion as the EU is open to all potential candidates. We shouldn’t focus on the time-span but on the work we need to do, and it is mainly up to us how quickly we secure practical as well as formal admission to the European Union,” she stated.
She said Montenegro’s bid was grounded in its growing economic and democratic progress.

“Montenegro needs to build a sustainable reformist course and focus on a consistent implementation of the law,” Trotemann said and warned that it also needed to do more in areas such as curbing corruption, downsizing its bureaucracy and alignment of its legislation to the EU standards.
“A lot needs to be done in the field of statistics. The energy sector is a key issue and requires undivided attention,” Trotemann underscored.

Svilanovic outlined fighting poverty, corruption and organised crime as Montenegro’s basic priorities, having recommended that government to improve its ties with social organisations and the media.

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