EU non-paper on the state of play concerning rule of law, whose final version will be adopted tomorrow, doesn’t indicate that Montenegro has been blocked in the European integration process as some media, NGOs and representatives of political parties tried to present it.
The EU requests continuation of reform processes but the situation isn’t hopeless. CdM had insight into the working version of the document. It doesn’t say that Montenegro has been blocked.
The document on Montenegro’s progress in the first nine months if this year regarding two most complex negotiating chapters states that Montenegro continued to implement action plans for chapter 23 and 24, as well as other strategic documents related to the rule of law.
Montenegro tackled many challenges, especially in critical areas such as media freedom, fight against corruption and human trafficking. It worked hard on harmonizing legal norms of the EU and strengthening institutions. Many challenges lie ahead, reads the document.
As far as chapter 23 is concerned, the document states that Montenegro is working on new legislative framework concerning media, including the new law on the national RTCG emitter. The document also says that new criminal investigations have been opened.
The most important fact is that Montenegro isn’t going backwards and that it continues to fight corruption, while ensuring independence of all institutions.
EU warns that Montenegro needs credible, independent and efficient institutional response to recent accusations regarding political corruption and illegal financing of political parties.
Part referring to chapter 24, reads that Montenegro increased participation in international police cooperation , which resulted in successful operation against Montenegrin criminal groups in the country and abroad. Huge amounts of drugs have been seized and members of highly-ranked criminal groups have been arrested.
Center for civil education said today that EC’s Working Paper on the situation in chapters 23 and 24 confirmed their allegations that Montenegro had stagnated in those areas.
Director of the Center, Ms Daliborka Uljarević, says that EC has pointed at the current situation in judiciary, media and fight against corruption.
However, president of Civil Alliance, Mr Boris Raonić, disagrees.
“Chasing exclusive news and commenting unofficial documents brings only temporary benefit. The process is vulnerable and, therefore, this act is bad, increases mistrust and undermined EU image”, tweeted Mr Raonić.
