'I want to see a more engaged Europe in the Balkans': Montenegro's President Milatović

Key Concepts

EU Accession: The process by which a country joins the European Union.
Euro Zone: The group of European Union countries that have adopted the euro as their currency.
Euro-Atlantic Path: A foreign policy orientation towards closer integration with both the European Union and NATO.
Rule of Law: The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated.
Hybrid Threats: A combination of conventional and unconventional tactics, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, used by state and non-state actors to destabilize.
Social Cohesion: The degree to which members of a society feel connected and share common values.
Organized Crime: Criminal activities conducted by groups or syndicates, often involving violence and corruption.
Visa-Free Regime: An agreement between countries that allows their citizens to travel to each other's territory without needing a visa for short stays.

Montenegro's EU Accession Bid and 2028 Target

Montenegro is positioned as a frontrunner for European Union membership, with a stated goal of joining the bloc and the Eurozone by 2028. The country, with a population of approximately 620,000, commenced accession talks in 2012, six years after gaining independence in 2006 following the dissolution of Serbia and Montenegro. President Yakov Milatović, an Oxford-trained economist and former Minister of Economic Development, elected president in 2023, is a proponent of this Euro-Atlantic path.

Support from France and the Enlargement Process

President Milatović addressed concerns regarding French support for Montenegro's EU bid, particularly in light of President Macron's past reservations about streamlining the accession process. Milatović emphasized the crucial role of France and all EU member states in the final decision-making, which rests with the EU Council, not the European Commission. He acknowledged the need to openly discuss Montenegro's ongoing challenges while highlighting its significant progress.

Milatović believes that the geopolitical landscape has shifted, especially after Russia's aggression on Ukraine in 2022, leading EU leaders to recognize enlargement as a security imperative for the European continent. He cited France's 2019 proposal for a new methodology, which mandates substantial progress in the rule of law for candidate countries before advancing on other technical aspects, as a positive development. This approach now incorporates both geopolitical and technical dimensions, including the completion of accession chapters.

While Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) applauded Montenegro's accession process in June, they also stressed the need for further advancements in judicial and electoral reforms, as well as in combating corruption and organized crime.

Factors Contributing to Montenegro's Advanced Status

President Milatović outlined five key reasons why Montenegro is perceived as the most advanced among candidate countries:

Institutional Advancement: Montenegro is the only candidate country to have opened all accession chapters and has successfully closed a number of them.
Foreign and Security Policy Alignment: Montenegro fully aligns its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, adopting all decisions made by the EU Council. Its NATO membership is also highlighted as a significant asset in the current geopolitical climate.
Euro Adoption: Montenegro has unilaterally adopted the Euro and is working to meet the necessary convergence criteria for Eurozone membership.
Geopolitical Size: As the smallest candidate country, Montenegro's entry would not significantly alter the distribution of EU funds, which is a consideration within the EU.

Malign Influence and Hybrid Threats

During a meeting with EU Council President Antonio Costa, President Milatović discussed malign influence from third countries destabilizing Montenegro's EU membership process. He characterized EU enlargement as an investment in stability and prosperity for both the enlarged regions and Europe as a whole. He warned that if Europe does not seize the opportunity in the Western Balkans, other powers will increase their influence, citing observed cyber threats and disinformation campaigns from third parties.

Milatović requested technical assistance to strengthen Montenegro's institutions in combating hybrid threats. He also emphasized the long-term need to improve media literacy, particularly among young people, and to foster social cohesion, with EU accession serving as a unifying factor.

Internal Political Dynamics and Pro-Serbian Parties

Milatović acknowledged that not all members of his coalition government share his pro-European views. He addressed a comment by the US Ambassador in Podgorica, who stated that the participation of groups refusing to support Ukraine or EU sanctions against Russia hinders Montenegro's European aspirations. Milatović asserted that while diverse opinions exist in a democracy, the state's position on Russian aggression in Ukraine is clear and aligns with that of NATO and the EU.

Regarding pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro advocating for closer ties with Serbia, Milatović reiterated that regional cooperation is a cornerstone of Montenegro's foreign policy, alongside EU accession and NATO membership. He stressed Montenegro's commitment to being a good neighbor and maintaining strong relationships with Serbia, a significant economic partner with deep familial ties to Montenegro. He noted that Montenegro does not have major open issues with its neighbors, thus not posing problems to the EU.

Organized Crime and Migration

The issue of organized crime and migration was discussed at the Western Balkans Summit in London. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted the Western Balkans as a transit route for criminal smuggling gangs and the need for robust cooperation to dismantle them.

President Milatović acknowledged the ongoing challenge posed by notorious drug cartels originating from Montenegro, such as the Kavach and Škaljari clans. He credited international partners, including French authorities, Europol, and Interpol, for their role in dismantling encrypted communications used by organized crime groups. This has provided crucial evidence for Montenegro's prosecutorial and judicial systems to prosecute not only members of these groups but also corrupt officials within the police, prosecution, and judiciary. Milatović emphasized his mandate for zero tolerance on organized crime and corruption.

Visa-Free Regime with Turkey

Montenegro suspended its visa-free regime for Turkish nationals following an incident involving violence triggered by the stabbing of a Montenegrin man by a group of Turks. President Milatović criticized this decision, stating that while Montenegro's immigration policy requires analysis, the suspension was hasty and imposed without adequate assessment. He noted that approximately 20% of foreigners in Montenegro reside for various reasons, indicating some pressure felt by the Montenegrin population, but argued this should not lead to an immediate imposition of visa regimes without proper analysis.

Conclusion

President Milatović's interview underscores Montenegro's strong commitment to EU and Eurozone accession by 2028, highlighting its progress in institutional reforms and foreign policy alignment. The discussion reveals the complex geopolitical landscape, the importance of EU enlargement for regional stability, and the challenges posed by external malign influences and internal political divisions. Montenegro's proactive stance against organized crime and its efforts to balance regional cooperation with EU integration are key aspects of its foreign policy. The interview also touches upon the delicate balance of managing immigration and maintaining diplomatic relations.