D-ME - European Parliament

General documents - Meeting of 9 March 2023 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Tue, 02 May 2023 12:34:04 GMT

IN CAMERA Meeting

The aim of the meeting was to take stock of the political and economic situation in Montenegro ahead of the upcoming presidential election on 19 March 2023.

Meeting documents - 9 March 2023
Minutes

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Meeting of 27 April 2023 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Tue, 02 May 2023 12:33:08 GMT

The aim of the meeting was a debriefing by Mr Tonino PICULA and Mr Georgios KYRTSOS, Heads of the EP Election Observation Delegation, on the presidential elections in Montenegro and exchange of views on the political and economic situation in Montenegro and on its relations with the EU after the presidential and ahead of the early parliamentary elections in the presence of:

- Mr Petar MARKOVIĆ, Ambassador, Head of Mission of Montenegro to the European Union,

- Mr Michael MILLER, Head of Unit for Montenegro and Serbia in the DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of European Commission,

- Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'South‑East Europe & Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service

Agenda

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Preparatory meeting of 8 December 2022 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 17:46:09 GMT

The meeting included an exchange of views on the political and economic situation in Montenegro with representatives of the Mission of Montenegro to the EU, EEAS and DG NEAR. The delegation also considered the draft agenda for the 21st EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting due to be held in Strasbourg on 14-15 December 2022.

Agenda - 8 December 2022
Meeting Documents - 8 December 2022
Minutes - 8 December 2022

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - Statement by EU-Montenegro SAPC Co-Chair Vladimír Bilčík (EPP/SK) on the cancellation of the 21st EU-Montenegro SAPC meeting in Strasbourg - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:28:32 GMT

Brussels, 13 December 2022

"The meeting was cancelled due to the adoption of the controversial Law on amendments to the Law on the President by the Parliament of Montenegro last night, which goes directly against the urgent opinion of the Venice Commission of 9 December and rejects calls by the EU to the contrary. The adoption of amendments by the governing majority of 41 MPs is a direct challenge to Montenegro's long-standing European ambitions, including respect for constitutionality and the principles of rule of law.

I spoke to Speaker and Co-Chair Ms Danijela Đurović and we agreed that the cancellation of the meeting is in the interest of preserving good relations between the European Parliament and the Parliament of Montenegro and of protecting Montenegro's European perspective. This was not my preferred option, but due to the current political context, it is not suitable to hold a joint SAPC meeting in Strasbourg on 14-15 December.

Speaker Đurović and I agreed to keep the channels of communication open about the possibility of a future EU-Montenegro SAPC meeting."

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Preparatory meeting of 3 February 2020 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 15:19:02 GMT

The meeting included an exchange of views on the political and economic situation in Montenegro and on its relations with the EU with:

H.E. Ambassador Mr Bojan ŠARKIĆ, Head of Mission of Montenegro to the EU,
Mr Thomas HAGLEITNER, Head of Unit for Montenegro in the DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of European Commission,
Mr Clive RUMBOLD, Deputy Head of Division 'Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service.

The delegation also considered the draft agenda and draft programme for the 18th EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting due to be held in Podgorica on 25-26 February 2020 and the appointment of first speakers.

Meeting documents 3 February 2020
Minutes 3 February 2020

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Meeting of 18 November 2019 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 15:18:29 GMT

The meeting was held in two parts:

17.00-17.30 in camera meeting
17.30-18.30 public meeting

Exchange of views with:

Ms Jela VULETIC-MANTHOU, Deputy Head of Mission of Montenegro to the EU,
Mr Thomas HAGLEITNER, Head of Unit for Montenegro in the DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of European Commission,
Mr Clive RUMBOLD, Deputy Head of Division 'Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service on the political and economic situation in Montenegro and on its relations with the EU.

Meeting documents 18 November 2019
Minutes 18 November 2019

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Constitutive meeting of 26 September 2019 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 15:18:07 GMT

During the constitutive meeting, the Chair and the Vice-Chairs of the delegation were elected.

Chair - Vladimir BILČĺK (EPP, SK)

1st Vice-Chair - Valter FLEGO (Renew, HR)

2nd Vice-Chair - Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE)

Meeting documents 26 September 2019
Press release 26 September 2019
Minutes 26 September 2019

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Preparatory meeting of 18 November 2021 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 15:09:43 GMT

The meeting included an exchange of views on the political, economic and pandemic situation in Montenegro with representatives of the Mission of Montenegro to the EU, EEAS and DG NEAR. The delegation also considered the draft agenda for the 20th EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting due to be held in Brussels on 2 December 2021 and the appointment of first speakers.

Agenda
Meeting dossier
Minutes

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - 20th EU-Montenegro SAPC meeting, 2 December 2021, Brussels - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:55:38 GMT

The European Union - Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) held its 20th meeting on 2 December 2021 under the co-chairmanship of Mr Aleksa BEČIĆ, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, for the Montenegrin Parliament Delegation and MEP Vladimir BILČIK for the European Parliament Delegation. The meeting was held in Brussels and remotely.

The Committee addressed the following subjects:

State of play of the accession negotiations and EU‑Montenegro relations in the presence of: Ms Zorka KORDIĆ, Chief Negotiator for EU accession negotiations on behalf of the Government of Montenegro, Mr Gašper DOVŽAN, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the Slovenian Presidency‑in‑Office of the Council of the EU, Ms Michaela MATUELLA, Acting Director for Western Balkans in the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations on behalf of the European Commission and Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'South‑East Europe & Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service
Discussion on how to foster a national consensus on Montenegro's EU progress.

Agenda
Meeting dossier
Declaration and Recommendations
Joint Statement of 2 December
Webstreaming - morning session
Webstreaming - afternoon session

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - 19th EU-Montenegro SAPC meeting, 3 June 2021, remote - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:54:57 GMT

The European Union-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) held its 19th meeting remotely on 3 of June 2021, under the co-chairmanship of Mr Vladimír BILČÍK, Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation to the EU-Montenegro SAPC and of Mr Aleksa BEČIĆ, President of the Parliament of Montenegro.

The Committee addressed the following subjects:

State of play of the accession negotiations and EU‑Montenegro relations, including the Covid‑19 situation an its consequences in the presence of:

Ms Zorka KORDIĆ, Chief Negotiator for Montenegro's Accession to the European Union on behalf of the Government of Montenegro,
Ms Virginia PINA, Ambassador of Portugal to Montenegro on behalf of the Portuguese Presidency-in-Office of the Council of the EU,
Ms Michela MATUELLA, Acting Director in the DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations on behalf of the European Commission;
Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service

Progress in rule of law, including media freedom, judiciary reform and the fight against organised crime and corruption

Agenda
Meeting dossier
Minutes
Joint statement
Webstreaming of the meeting, 3 June 2021
Twitter

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - 18th EU-Montenegro SAPC meeting, 25-26 February 2020, Podgorica - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:54:20 GMT

The European Union‑Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) held its 18th meeting in Podgorica, under the co-chairmanship of Mr Vladimír BILČÍK, Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation to the EU-Montenegro SAPC and of Mr Ivan BRAJOVIĆ, President of the Parliament of Montenegro. It held an exchange of views with:

Mr Aleksandar Drljević, Chief Negotiator for Montenegro's Accession to the European Union, on behalf of Government of Montenegro;
Ms Zdravka Bušić, State Secretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia,on behalf of the Presidency-in-Office-of the Council of the European Union;
H.E. Aivo Orav, EU Ambassador, on behalf of the European Commission;

The Committee addressed the following subjects:

State of play of accession negotiations and EU-Montenegro relations;
Progress in rule of law, including fundamental rights and freedoms, judiciary reform and the fight against organised crime and corruption;
Results in and tasks for improving the legislative framework ahead of and following the 2020 parliamentary elections;
Environmental and climate change challenges;
The situation of youth in Montenegro with a focus on education skills, unemployment and brain-drain.

Agenda
Meeting dossier 18th EU-Montenegro SAPC meeting, Podgorica, 25-26 February 2020
Declaration and Recommendations
Press release
Twitter
Mission report
Minutes

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Resolution of 23 June 2022 on the 2021 Commission Report on Montenegro - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 16:17:05 GMT

Resolution of 23 June 2022 on the 2021 Commission Report on Montenegro

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Annual Resolutions to Commission Reports on Montenegro - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 16:16:38 GMT

Most relevant resolutions are those scrutinising the accession process. MEPs always underline that the implementation of reforms and policies remains a key indicator of the integration process and adopted laws are just a preparation to a real change.

The resolutions dedicate a lot of attention to the rule of law, functioning of the democratic institutions and human rights, especially gender equality and situation of vulnerable groups, including minorities are in the focus. The Parliament continuously puts stress on fight against corruption and organized crime. These address the economic and political reforms, strengthening administrative capacity of the state institutions and building of efficient judicial system. The protection of environment is often addressed, as well as energy issues.

Montenegro is praised for its constructive role in the regional cooperation. Montenegro leads in aligning with the EU in defence and in foreign affairs, which is always well stressed in resolutions.

Resolution of 19 May 2021 on the 2019-2020 Commission Reports on Montenegro
Resolution of 29 November 2018 on the 2018 Commission Report on Montenegro
Resolution of 16 March 2017 on the 2016 Commission report on Montenegro
Resolution of 10 March 2016 on the 2015 Commission report on Montenegro
Resolution of 11 March 2015 on the 2014 progress report on Montenegro
Resolution of 6 February 2014 on the 2013 progress report on Montenegro

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Calendar of activities 2022 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:06:50 GMT

Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) meetings

21th EU-Montenegro SAPC

14-15 December 2022, Strasbourg

Ordinary meetings

19 May 2022, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Montenegro: political tensions slow progress of EU-related reforms, Brussels, 23 June 2022 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 14:36:39 GMT

Parliament says Montenegro should advance its electoral and judicial reforms and its fight against organised crime and corruption.

MEPs welcome Montenegro's continued commitment to European integration, repeating their position that the country's progress in the accession process continues to depend on meeting the conditions related to the rule of law.

In a report adopted on Thursday with 506 votes in favour, 50 against and 35 abstentions, they are disappointed that since 2017, none of the negotiations on 33 screened accession chapters have been closed, slowing Montenegro's positive track record and status as the country in the Western Balkans furthest along in the EU's accession process.

Please find the full text of the press release under the link here below.

Press release

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Statement by the Chair of the EU-Montenegro SAPC on the adoption of the EP's 2021 Report on Montenegro, 23-06-2022 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 10:27:53 GMT

Brussels, 23 June 2022

Statement by MEP Vladimír Bilčík, Chair of the EU-Montenegro SAPC, following the adoption of the European Parliament's 2021 Report on Montenegro:

"The 2021 Report adopted by the Parliament reflects clearly that Montenegro is a front-runner in the EU accession process. It is now time for political leaders in Montenegro to focus on closing chapters and clusters by delivering on outstanding commitments and reforms.

Following months of uncertainty due to the political crisis in the country in late 2021 and early 2022, the recent political developments show positive signs in that Montenegro can move forward on its EU path. The EP's 2021 Report underlines the importance of broad cross-party consensus on Montenegro's strategic European choice. In this respect, the role of the Montenegrin parliament will be crucial when it comes to Podgorica's decisive progress towards EU membership.

The European Parliament appreciates Montenegro's continuous 100% alignment to the EU's foreign policy, especially in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. I would like to encourage the political leaders in the country to keep working towards EU membership without hesitation. Joining the EU and becoming the next EU member state is a realistic political and strategic goal, which reflects the expectations and the will of an overwhelming majority of Montenegrin citizens."

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Joint meeting of 21 June 2021 on Climate Change in the Mediterranean - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee - Delegation to the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Fri, 20 May 2022 08:58:24 GMT

On Monday, 21 June 2021 the European Parliament's Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey delegations held a joint meeting to discuss the Climate Change in the Mediterranean: situation of the UfM members in the enlargement area.

Members have exchanged views with the Vice President Mr Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, who spoke on behalf of the EP Presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA - UfM), experts from the academia, European Commission and the civil society.

Agenda 21 June 2021
Meeting documents
Minutes 21 June 2021
Poster on Joint meeting on Climate Change in the Mediterranean

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Montenegro Report: Political tensions slowing progress of EU-related reforms, 12 May 2022 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Thu, 12 May 2022 13:27:22 GMT

Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs say Montenegro should advance its electoral and judicial reforms and its fight against organised crime and corruption.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs welcomed Montenegro's continued commitment to European integration and underlined that the country's progress in the accession process continues to depend on meeting the conditions related to the rule of law.

In a report adopted on Thursday with 64 votes in favour, 7 against ansd 4 abstentions, MEPs regret that since 2017 none of the 33 screened chapters have been closed, slowing down Montenegro's positive track record and status of most advanced Western Balkans country in the EU's accession process.

New government's political resolve could push reform process

The report calls for an inclusive political dialogue and the commitment of all parliamentary parties in Montenegro to overcoming the current polarised political climate. MEPs say this is crucial to achieve the political stability necessary for the country to continue with its substantial progress in key EU-related reforms, in particular electoral and judicial reforms and the fight against organised crime and corruption.

MEPs welcome a new minority government composed of pro-European parties, especially in light of the recent Russian invasion in Ukraine and the continuing influence of pro-Russian political parties and narratives in Montenegro. The new government's political resolve could help accelerate the much needed reform process, reflecting both the work already done on European values and the overwhelming will of Montenegro's citizens to join the European Union.

Growing volume of foreign and domestic disinformation campaigns

They welcome Montenegro's continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its full support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia. The report also encourages the European Commission to consider EU economic and financial assistance for Western Balkans countries that have joined EU sanctions against Russia to mitigate their effects on countries like Montenegro.

MEPs are concerned by the growing volume of foreign and domestic disinformation campaigns and cyber and hybrid threats, including from Russia and China. Noting that foreign interference can also be pursued through the instrumentalisation of religious institutes, they call for religious tolerance in line with the Montenegrin constitution and European values and principles.

The rapporteur Tonino Picula (S&D, HR) said: "In the report, we again expressed our continued support for Montenegro's European integration. We also noted the difficulties in progressing on the path to EU integration, the implementation of reforms, and meeting the expectations of the citizens of Montenegro, who support EU membership by a large percentage. The report also expresses the unanimous position of pro-European political groups in the European Parliament for identifying all the shortcomings that need to be addressed quickly. We hope that the new government will not face the old government's problems; will be more operational and enjoy continuous support of the Montenegrin Parliament."

EP Press room

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Calendar of activities 2021 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Fri, 06 May 2022 11:36:14 GMT

9th legislature

Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) meetings

19th EU-Montenegro SAPC

3 June 2021, Brussels, remotely

20th EU-Montenegro SAPC

2 December 2021, Brussels, remotely

Ordinary meetings

22 April 2021, 13:00-14:30, remotely

18 November 2021, 13:00-14:30, remotely

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of the European Parliament and its political leaders have modified Parliament's calendar of activities. The aim is to enable Parliament to exercise its functions and carry out its parliamentary work, while complying with the duty of care for its Members and staff and protecting public health.

While missions of Parliament's delegations are currently suspended, interparliamentary and other meetings of standing delegations and parliamentary assemblies are being organised with the possibility of remote participation by Members, visiting speakers and staff.

The calendar section of this page is updated when possible and provides more details of upcoming meetings.

General documents - Joint statement by MEPs Tonino Picula and Vladimír Bilčík on the election of the new government in Montenegro, 29 April 2022 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 09:32:45 GMT

Following the election of the Prime Minister and the new government in Montenegro, the European Parliament's standing rapporteur for Montenegro Tonino Picula (S&D, HR) and the European Parliament's Chair of the Delegation for Montenegro Vladimír Bilčík (EPP, SK) issued the following statement on Friday.

"We welcome yesterday's vote in the Montenegrin Parliament and congratulate the newly elected Prime Minister Abazović and his government and the newly elected Speaker Đurović of the Montenegrin Parliament for their respective elections.

We look forward to working together with our partners on Montenegro's path to the European Union.

While in recent months Montenegro has lost some valuable time on its European journey, we believe that the new government's political resolve could help accelerate much needed reform process reflecting both the work on European values and the overwhelming will of Montenegro's citizens to join the European Union."

Background

On 4 February 2022 the non-partisan government led by Zdravko Krivokapić, received a vote of no confidence, called by the smallest coalition bloc, Black on White (URA), and opposition parties, which deepened Montenegro's political instability. The election of the 43rd government comes after several months of political polarisation and lack of progress in EU reforms. The term of the new government has been announced to be one year, and early parliamentary elections may take place in spring 2023.

Press release
Tweet

General documents - Joint statement by MEPs Tonino Picula and Vladimír Bilčík on recent developments in Montenegro, 8 February 2022 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 09:00:27 GMT

"We continuously monitor the political developments in Montenegro and we commend the recent peaceful transitions in line with Montenegro's constitution. We call for the continued respect for democratic processes, norms and standards during these times.

In light of the stalemate during recent weeks, we urge Montenegrin leaders to move swiftly towards forming a new government and electing a new speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament.

Paving the way towards a stable parliamentary majority and moving Montenegro forward on the reform process is of essence; no more time should be lost.

Political inaction limits the country's reform agenda, and consequently, its EU accession ambitions. Montenegro is the most advanced country among the EU candidate countries and already integrated in the North-Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Montenegro needs a predictable and stable parliamentary majority and a pro-European government that will lead the country to the EU. We will support political decisions that will be based on European standards and respect European values, reflecting the wish and will of citizens. EU membership, after all, is the wish of an overwhelming majority of Montenegro's citizens."

General documents - Calendar of activities 2020 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 10:50:11 GMT

9th legislature

Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) meetings

18th EU-Montenegro SAPC meeting
25-26 February 2020, Podgorica

Ordinary meetings

3 February 2020, 17:00-18:00, Brussels

21 September 2020, 13:30-15:00, Brussels, remote

General documents - Meeting of 22 April 2021, remote - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:19:09 GMT

The meeting included an exchange of views on the first few months in office of the government of Montenegro in the presence of:

Ms Oana Cristina POPA, Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro,
Mr Thomas HAGLEITNER, Head of Unit for Montenegro in the DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of European Commission;
Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service
Ms Jela VULETIC-MANTHOU, Chargé d'affaires ad interim, Mission of Montenegro to the European Union.

Agenda
Meeting documents
Minutes

General documents - Joint statement of 2 December on the 20th EU‑Montenegro SAPC meeting - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 14:49:43 GMT

Following the 20th meeting of the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), Co-Chairs Aleksa Bečić from the Montenegrin side and MEP Vladimír Bilčík stated:

"We take it as a positive sign that the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee has adopted a declaration and recommendations and that members of both parliaments had the opportunity for a frank and constructive debate.

We welcome Montenegro's continued commitment to and engagement in the EU integration process and its Euro-Atlantic orientation. We also welcome the fact that Montenegro is the most advanced in the EU accession negotiations, being the only candidate country that has opened all negotiating chapters, and has already closed three of them. The European Parliament continues to support Montenegro's accession to the EU, in which meeting the interim benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 will remain pivotal in determining how fast the country will join the EU.

We urge all political forces in the country to rise above their divisions and differences to achieve consensus on key issues and continue to move forward on the EU integration path. In that respect a broad cross-party, constructive and inclusive dialogue is essential for Montenegro to continue key reforms with real deliverables, especially in terms of electoral legislation and prosecutorial appointments.

We welcome the continuation of the work of the Committee on Electoral Legislation Reform and expect the Committee to relaunch the long overdue electoral reform. We commend the efforts of the Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro to strengthen the legislative and oversight function of the Parliament. We stress that a functioning parliament is key to Montenegro's progress in the accession negotiations and encourage the Parliament to address the backlog of legislative initiatives awaiting parliamentary debate. We call on all political forces in the Skupština Crne Gore to engage in a constructive, meaningful and inclusive dialogue in the parliament, which is key to a successful parliamentary democracy.

We stress the need for a cooperative and constructive cohabitation between the President, Skupština and the Government of Montenegro in the interest of Montenegrin citizens and aimed at ensuring the functionality of Montenegrin institutions and with a view to accelerating the country's progress on its EU path.

We encourage the Montenegrin Government and the Parliament to consistently consult with its European partners, in line with the agreed procedures, before amending key laws, in order to proceed in an inclusive and transparent manner and on the basis of a broader social consensus.

Background

Mr Aleksa Bečić is the Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro, while Mr Vladimír Bilčík chairs the EP Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee.

General documents - Joint statement by MEPs Tonino Picula and Vladimír Bilčík on the situation in Montenegro, 6 September 2021 - Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 10:51:41 GMT

"We have followed the weekend events in Montenegro with great concern and we categorically condemn all violent acts that occurred both on Saturday and Sunday in connection to the inauguration of Joanikije II. Montenegro should uphold fully its obligations to defend the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of speech, while also respecting a variety of religious rights of its citizens.

Montenegro is an EU candidate country where political and religious leaders have a particular responsibility to reflect in their decisions on overwhelming support that Montenegro's citizens give to EU accession. We urge all stakeholders to contribute actively to lowering of tensions in the society and to upholding Montenegro's commitment to a modern, democratic, multi-confessional and multi-ethnic society. Political instrumentalisation of one's religious beliefs is not compatible with Montenegro's ongoing reform process and successful EU accession. It reflects poorly on Montenegro's international standing and long history of peaceful co-existence among people of many faiths and ethnic backgrounds."