Montenegro and the EU: EU-Montenegro JCC calls for increased political accountability and ownership of the accession process in Montenegro
The 6th meeting of the EU-Montenegro Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), organized on 23 and 24 June at the EESC headquarters in Brussels, held a lively debate on the transparency and inclusiveness of Montenegro's accession process to the EU. The situation concerning disability policy and recent developments on social dialogue in the country were also discussed.
Ensuring inclusiveness of the EU accession process
The JCC welcomed the involvement of civil society organizations in the working groups on the EU accession negotiation chapters, at the same time stressing that greater consistency was needed to ensure that both the EU institutions and the Montenegrin government adopted a transparent and inclusive approach throughout the accession process. Timely disclosure of key accession documents, as well as proper public consultations, was considered essential.
Increasing financial support and strengthening civil society
The JCC also called on the EU to increase its financial support, including to projects under the Civil Society Facility, aiming at strengthening the capacities of civil society organization and supporting professionalism and independence of the media. A strong organized civil society will enhance political accountability and promote better understanding and ownership of accession-related reforms. As to the freedom of media, which is one of fundamental human rights and an intrinsic part of Copenhagen political criteria for accession to the EU, JCC members noted with regret the continuously worrying situation in the country and the repeating acts of violence against journalists.
Urgent action needed to ensure the rights of people with disabilities
While acknowledging that some positive steps had been taken towards promoting the integration of people with disabilities, the JCC stressed it was important to translate good intentions into real, efficient and timely action on the ground. JCC members noted with deep concern that access for people with disabilities to a majority of state and local institutions, such as schools, hospitals, social welfare centres, and even the Parliament and courts, was still extremely difficult. The Montenegrin government was called on to take measures to improve this situation as soon as possible.
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