Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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RemovedMontenegro is a nation with a rich, albeit sometimes turbulent, history. While it is neither my role nor our collective duty to dwell on the past, the country’s present political and social reality remains deeply shaped by it. Though there is no need to revisit past events, we must continually keep them in mind. Through my meetings with a diverse range of political figures – from civil society representatives and mayors to the President of the Republic – I have gained valuable insights that have both broadened my understanding and reinforced some of my earlier observations.

AddedThe report reflects the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro, assessing the progress Montenegro has made in its accession path over the last two years. It mainly focuses on Montenegro’s commitment to the accession process, democracy and rule of law, fundamental freedoms, human rights and socio-economic reforms.

AddedMontenegro is a nation with a rich, albeit sometimes turbulent, history and the country’s present political and social reality remains deeply shaped by it. Though there is no need to revisit past events, they are to be continually kept in mind.

Montenegro finds itself in a familiar political scenario: a single party governed for three decades, playing a pivotal role in securing the nation’s independence and its accession to NATO. However, this long-standing governance also left behind numerous unresolved challenges, many of which it either failed to address or, in some instances, actively contributed to creating. The current ruling coalition is highly diverse, necessitating significant coordination and, consequently, the acceptance of various compromises. Thus, it would be inaccurate to claim that Montenegro lacks a functioning democracy. Moreover, the country’s media landscape displays a level of plurality that far exceeds what is observed elsewhere in the region.

In 2024, the ruling coalition, working constructively with the parliamentary opposition, made considerable progress by passing legislation essential for closing key negotiation chapters. Montenegro has successfully concluded three out of the four anticipated chapters—an achievement that should not be underestimated. The remaining chapter is temporarily stalled due to objections from Croatia, yet it remains firmly on the table.

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ChangedEarlier, I referred to the importance of history, whichHistory is particularly relevant to this unresolved chapter, as it is deeply rooted in the historical context of both neighbouring countries. While I consider this temporary impasse an unfortunate obstacle,The Irapporteur amis confident that it will ultimately be resolved in accordance with European values—the very foundation of the European Union and its raison d’être.

The ruling coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to enacting the necessary legislative changes to advance Montenegro’s alignment with the European Union, thereby facilitating the completion of the negotiation process. Public opinion surveys consistently indicate strong support for EU accession among Montenegrin citizens. This widespread approval serves as an additional impetus for the authorities to persist in implementing the reforms and legislative measures required for this process.

For the state to function effectively, local governance must operate efficiently. However, the current electoral legislation, which allows municipal elections to be held on different dates rather than on a single nationwide election day, hinders this efficiency. This inconsistency generates political tensions that, given the country’s size and population, have broader ramifications at the national level. Additionally, it undermines the operational effectiveness of both municipal and state governance. Amendments to the electoral legislation should be introduced to rectify these inconsistencies and address other outstanding issues related to the electoral process.

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ChangedIt is crucial to address the judiciary, which must be firmly established as an independent branch of power, particularly given that one of Montenegro’s major challenges is combating crime and corruption. However, it would be unfair to claim that this issue is unique to Montenegro, as no country is immune to such challenges. There are, however, differences in how countries approach and address these issues. In discussions with the authorities,The IRapporteur observedrecognises a high level of awareness regarding these challenges,challenges in Montenegro, which is a positive and encouraging sign.

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ChangedMyThe Rapporteur’s overall assessment is that there is no shortage of political will to continue on the European path. However, it is imperative to ensure that the daily fluctuations of political life—stemming, in my view, from the large number of political parties, each seeking to secure its ownlife position—dodo not obstruct the enactment of essential legislation required to complete the negotiation process. The legislation must be both as effective as possible and must not succumb to the temptation of being merely “cosmetic.”

Above all, Montenegro should draw strength from its rich and proud history, recognising the considerable progress it has made. As an independent and sovereign state, it should move forward without any unnecessary complex of smallness. It has every opportunity to join the EU within the current mandate of the European institutions.