Vukovic: Imaginary scenario that Croatia decides to withdraw the ambassador

AUTHOR:M.J.

The current historical issues can cause serious damage to the European path of Montenegro, the Deputy Prime Minister of Socialists (DPS) Ivan Vukovic and credited that Croatia withdrew the Ambassador from Podgorica, if the Resolution on Jasenovac is adopted.

In the Interview, Vukovic said Montenegro has a historic chance and "that nobody and nothing stands on the road to full membership in the European Union (EU), except for us."

When asked whether Croatia can be blocked by Montenegro obtaining a positive report on the assessment of the fulfillment of temporary criteria (Ibar), he replied not to think it was realistic.

However, as the Vuković rated, it is completely realistic that the reaction of Zagreb followed in the next phase of negotiations with the EU.

"So, for me, he is an easily imaginable scenario that Croatia decides to withdraw the Ambassador from Montenegro for a certain time, if this happens in the Parliament of Montenegro," Vukovic said.

He stated that it was incredibly as Montenegro once, due to the configuration of the ruling coalition, it operates an autoction.

When asked if Montenegro is still optimistic in June to get a positive Ibar, Vukovic replied that he said it earlier with two circumstances.

"I said that because I think that the EU is expecting from Montenegro, in this stage of the process of accession, achievable, if Montenegro is dedicated to these obligations within the interim benchmarks from Chapter 23 and 24," Vukovic stated.

He pointed out, on the other hand, on a very positive climate in the EU, when it comes to the Enlargement of the Union.

That, as Vukovic added, in a significant extent, the consequence of large geopolitical changes, which performed after the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, in February 2022.

"Our European partners, as never, needs a positive story in that context, and they need a positive example in the Western Balkans," Vukovic pointed out.

Montenegro, as he said, potentially that positive example.

"On the other hand, it was said before the current historical issues were active, in a way that is extremely problematic and for which we believe that it can make serious damage to Montenegro in the European path," Vukovic said.

He added that he also spoke on the recent press conference, in the context of the proposal for the resolution on genocide in Jasenovac and a very certain reactions of official Zagreb.

"After all, the protest note has arrived and I don't think anyone should be surprised if the Croatian Sergeant pulls a much more radical move in relation to Montenegro, and I remind the EU member state and has a legitimate right, as well as the other 26, to decide. About whether the EU should be expanded at all, "Vukovic emphasized.

He said that he had already once existed this situation, when the Prime Minister was Dritan Abazovic.

According to Vukovic, the government of Abazovic entered his office for two months after the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and Montenegro wide the EU door open.

"I say that as someone who had daily contact with ambassadors. I was in Brussels and I was fully aware of how important the EU was to push at least someone in that direction, as a message to others, "Vukovic added.

As he said, instead of dealing with the then government to European integration, she decided to deal with a fundamental contract.

Vukovic stated that he was afraid that history could be repeated, with, as he said, this could very easily be the last chance for Montenegro.

He said that the European partners once "visited through the fingers" Montenegro, aware of the complexity of the political moment and the political situation in the state.

"But if we sent a message again that we are unable to focus on what our priority is and what is the most important for all citizens, I would not be surprised at all that people in Brussels - so well, you obviously don't think of this" said Vukovic.

Ibar

When asked if three segments from the three temporary benchmarks in Chapter 23 may be fulfilled in June, it may be a reason for the ability of the Positive Ibar, he replied to renew.

These segments from the three temporary measures involve the amendment of the Constitution in the part relating to the role of Justice in the Judicial Council, the election of the President of the Supreme Court and amend the Law on Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns.

Vukovic said that he thought that they explained from the government in time to European partners how demanding and complicated procedures needed to complete those three things.

He said he was afraid that European partners would not have to have, or will not have an understanding for some other things.

"When we talk about the need to change the Constitution, they have no understanding that the United States is also related to relationships within the ruling coalition. You saw the initiative of the President of the Assembly and the leader of the new Serb democracy (NSD) that these changes should actually serve something else, On the line of what his political views and the interests of the party he represents, "Vukovic stated.

According to him, the problems may be if the destructive relationship is continued according to what the European obligations of Montenegro are.

The question believes that the set of media laws and laws in the field of justice will soon arrive in the parliamentary procedure and will be adopted in the deadlines, Vukovic replied in the affirmative.

He said that the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Justice, in the Assembly Consultative Hearing, was convinced that all deadlines would be respected and that people in their depots would work very commitly, in communication with the Venetian and European Commission, so that these legal proposals were ready to Time.

"The Minister of European Affairs and the Chief Negotiator are, in the part of media laws and other important tasks that Montenegro needs to end in the shortest possible time, were also very optimistic," Vukovic added.

He pointed out that it is very important that the previously proposals of these laws get the green light of the European partners.

"And if it all is so, I don't see why the Montenegrin Assembly would not give a positive opinion on those proposals and thus certainly significantly improved that Montenegro has been given a positive Ibar in June," Vukovic said.

Asked how stable is the parliamentary majority, given the statement of the Democratic People's Party (DNP) that their further support to the Government and Leaders of NSD that NSD is to give up the decision to support the resolution of Srebrenica, he replied that he replied that They best testify to the character of the relationship within the ruling coalition.

"If you compare the Europe's movement program now with what is written in the NSD or DNP program, it has nothing to do with each other," Vukovic said.

That, as he added, filled out different visions of the future of Montenegro, value, culturally, civilizational, foreign-political.