Toespraak commissaris Rehn over de toekomst van Montenegro (en)

Montenegro's journey to the EU

Parliament of Montenegro

Montenegro, 7 March 2008

Mr Speaker, Prime Minister, Honourable Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to address you today, at this crucial time for the Western Balkans and for Montenegro. Allow me to make a few broader observations, before focusing on your country.

The countries of the Western Balkan face a clear choice this year, as Kosovo's status is being settled and the last open question from the break-up of Yugoslavia is brought to a close. You can either turn to the future, or risk getting trapped in the past.

The first option will take you forward towards stability, prosperity and a perspective of EU membership. The second option is a blind alley with no prospect at all.

I believe Montenegro has made its choice: you want to progress on the road to Europe, the sooner the better.

As a neighbouring country, Montenegro has played a constructive and moderate role in the Kosovo status process.

I appreciate the government's commitment to continue to work with the EU, and I understand the complexities you face.

The Union has already taken the essential decisions to send an ESDP rule of law mission to Kosovo, and the Commission stands ready to provide its full support for Kosovo's social and economic development. A stable, prosperous and multiethnic Kosovo is essential to the stability of the region.

The year 2008 will be a year of challenges for the region, but also a year of opportunities.

The European Commission has set out its approach in a document called "The Western Balkans: Enhancing the European Perspective" adopted just two days ago in Brussels.

There we reaffirm our commitment to the Western Balkans and their European future; we offer to mobilise all available EU policy instruments towards this end; and we point to the next steps ahead for each of the countries concerned.

For Montenegro, the immediate challenge will be to implement the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and respect its obligations. This is the gateway to EU candidate country status.

You will also have to strengthen your country's administrative capacity.

Behind the technocratic term of "administrative capacity" lies the simple fact that adopting laws and reforms is just the beginning; what really matters is results on the ground. And these results depend on structures that can implement the laws.

I appreciate that this can take some time to accomplish. Montenegro is still a young country after all. But, nevertheless, administrative capacity, institutional development, and implementation are absolutely essential.

Another priority is judicial reform. Your new Constitution provides a sound framework. But the real test will be how the system actually works. The more effective and independent your judiciary is, the better for your citizens, your businesses and foreign investors. Rule of Law is the cornerstone of the European Union, and underpins the functionality of both the economy and society as a whole.

Corruption is a problem. Let's admit it. I know that much is being done already to tackle it. I am happy to note, for example, that Montenegro plans to set up specialised court sections to deal with corruption and organized crime. Political will, zero tolerance, and strong powers for the police and the courts to fight corruption are key.

On a positive note, Montenegro has enjoyed impressive economic growth in recent years, including in the financial markets. To keep this up, you will need to maintain prudent fiscal policies and to improve the general business environment.

Sustainable growth also depends on protecting the environment. For a country like Montenegro, with your tourism and agriculture potential, this is vital. I encourage you to build environmental impact assessments into your spatial planning, energy and infrastructure development.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament,

Your role - as a parliament - is crucial for European integration. The task falls to you to adopt the necessary laws and reforms and to help lead public opinion. The support of citizens is the backbone of European integration.

You have already ratified the Stabilisation and Association Agreement by unanimity and adopted a resolution on its implementation - here, in this hall, last December. I pay tribute to your commitment. It sends a powerful message about Montenegro's ability to achieve political consensus when it matters for European integration and for your European objectives.

Dear friends,

You will need this consensus in coming years. The road to Europe is not paved with good intentions alone, but rather with laws and reforms. You will have to align your country's legislation with 80,000 pages of the EU's laws and standards! This is a major challenge. It is doable, but it requires effective parliamentary organisation, consensus, and the political will to refrain from filibustering.

The EU is ready to help. For example:

We are proposing a roadmap for Montenegro to meet the conditions for visa free travel. I am delighted that Commission Vice-President Frattini was here last month to start the process. This is key for business and especially for the younger generations.

We are also doubling the number of scholarships for students. I hope you will make full use of this opportunity.

We are also opening up more EU programmes for the Western Balkans in science and research, education, culture and youth.

We give more financial support for developing civil society.

And we continue the EU's substantial financial assistance to the region. Montenegro will receive over EUR 140 million in European funds over the next 4 years.

In the EU, there has never been a stronger political will to support the people of the Western Balkans in opting for European values and living standards.

But ultimately the people in the region will have to exercise their democratic choice, and their leaders must carry out the necessary reforms, with the support of parliament, to determine their countries' future. I trust that the future of Montenegro is in the European Union.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Montenegro has achieved a lot in recent years:

You have realised your independence, set up new institutions and adopted many new laws already in line with European standards;

Last year, we signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and its Interim Agreement together with your Prime Minister at the time; and

You, in this Parliament, adopted a new Constitution broadly in line with European standards and based on a wide consensus.

You have been selected to host the Regional School of Public Administration. I trust you will make the most out of your status as host country to equip your young people in this area.

These are important milestones accomplished in a very short time. You will face many more such milestones ahead. The journey to the European Union is demanding, but it is worth it.

I am sure that with the determination, dialogue and consensus that you have already demonstrated, you can achieve your goals.

I - and my colleagues in the newly opened Commission Delegation in Podgorica - look forward to cooperating with you towards that end.

Thank you.