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Teisipäev, 18. mai 2021 - Brüssel

12. Montenegrot käsitlevad 2019.–2020. aasta aruanded (arutelu)

  Puhemies. – Esityslistalla on seuraavana Tonino Piculan ulkoasiainvaliokunnan puolesta laatima mietintö Montenegroa koskevista kertomuksista 2019 ja 2020 (2019/2173(INI)) (A9-0131/2021).

  Tonino Picula, izvjestitelj. – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, poštovani gospodine povjereniče, poštovani gospodine ministre, kolegice i kolege, zahvaljujem na prilici da u ovom formatu predstavim izvješće o Crnoj Gori koje se odnosi na izvješće Europske komisije za 2019. i '20. godinu.

Od posljednjeg izvješća o Crnoj Gori do danas, mnoštvo se toga promijenilo. Današnja plenarna rasprava vodi se u posebnom kontekstu prve demokratske tranzicije vlasti u Crnoj Gori u zadnjih 30 godina. Rekordni izlazak na prošlogodišnje parlamentarne izbore je svakako sam po sebi predstavljao jasnu političku poruku građana Crne Gore. Pozdravljam mirnu tranziciju vlasti u skladu sa zakonima i ustavnim rokovima kao i činjenicu da su novi predstavnici vlasti svoje prve radne sastanke odradili s partnerima u Bruxellesu.

No mirna tranzicija se, nažalost, nije učvrstila u konstruktivan dijalog i suradnju. Zbog jučerašnjih najava da najveća stranka opozicije neće sudjelovati u radu Skupštine, pa ni Odbora za reformu izbornog zakona, želim jasno naglasiti: od iznimne je važnosti da Skupština funkcionira kao centralno mjesto demokratskog političkog djelovanja, a kohabitacija između predsjednika i premijera bude konstruktivna i u skladu s Ustavom.

Podsjećam, premda je već prošlo gotovo pola godine, da Crnu Goru još uvijek očekuje glasovanje o budžetu - proračunu za tekuću godinu što svakako stvara dodatan politički pritisak. Govoreći iz mog osobnog iskustva stečenog iz kompleksne hrvatske tranzicije želim istaknuti da je potrebno prihvatiti pozitivne elemente dosadašnjeg političkog naslijeđa te ga nadograditi i učiniti efikasnijim.

Jednako tako, članstvo u Europskoj uniji ne smije biti alibi za političke blokade kao ni političku manipulaciju bilo koje političke opcije. Upravo suprotno, politički dogovor ili savez za europska pitanja, unatoč političkim razlikama, je od presudne važnosti za ubrzanje procesa pristupanja u Europsku uniju. To je važno jer je Crna Gora najdalje odmaknula na tom putu otvaranjem svih i privremenim zatvaranjem tri poglavlja. Što se tiče daljnjeg napretka najveći izazov predstavlja zatvaranje otvorenih poglavlja.

Podržavam prihvaćanje nove metodologije pregovaranja, no jasno je da će cjelokupni napredak u svim poglavljima i klasterima ovisiti o napretku u sektoru vladavini prava, odnosno poglavljima 23. i 24. Upravo je to jedna od glavnih poruka izvješća koje danas predstavljam - podcrtavanje ograničenog napretka koji je Crna Gora postigla u pravosudnoj reformi. Crna Gora već posjeduje mehanizme potrebne za osiguravanje kako sudske, tako i tužiteljske neovisnosti, ali ih treba djelotvornije koristiti. Njihova nadogradnja treba biti odmjerena. Načelo podjele vlasti se pritom ne smije dovoditi u pitanje.

Pozorno smo pratili događaje proteklog tjedna u Skupštini i glasovanje o Zakonu o državnom tužilaštvu koji će svojim rezultatom zasigurno utjecati i na ton ove rasprave. Podržavamo konzultacije s Venecijanskom komisijom, ali očekujemo punu, ne djelomičnu usklađenost zakona s oba seta preporuka.

Izvanrednim postupcima i djelomičnim rješenjima se može dovesti u pitanje ionako ograničeni dosadašnji napredak u području vladavine prava i borbe protiv korupcije. Pozdravljam nedavne akcije vezane uz suzbijanje organiziranog kriminala i najoštrije osuđujem prijetnje smrću te pozivam na podršku i zaštitu svih koji na tome rade.

Danas posebno želim naglasiti važnost slobode i neovisnosti medija, a koje zabrinjava. U zadnjih pet izvješća Europske komisije ocijenjeno je bez napretka. Pozivam na hitnu istragu svih napada na novinare i kažnjavanje počinitelja. Sloboda medija jedna je od temeljnih vrijednosti Europske unije pa će ovaj problem biti jedna od okosnica crnogorskog pretpristupnog puta.

Od trenutnih političkih zbivanja želim istaknuti obvezu zaštite prava manjina. Tim više jer neke po prvi put nemaju svoje političke predstavnike u Skupštini. Pritom najoštrije osuđujem postizborne napade na njih, inicijative da se ulica nazove po osuđenom ratnom zločincu, kao i incident negiranja genocida u Srebrenici, na što je ipak pravovremeno reagirano.

Izvješće naglašava konstruktivnu ulogu Crne Gore u kontekstu regionalne suradnje i međususjedskih odnosa. Treba pohvaliti dosadašnju potpunu usklađenost s vanjskom i sigurnosnom politikom Europske unije kao i sudjelovanje u zajedničkim misijama. Očekujemo nastavak takve politike.

U kontekstu nedavnih indicija vezanih uz sporazum o granicama želim jasno poručiti -  bilateralni sporazumi o granicama se moraju poštivati, a o otvorenim pitanjima pokušati postići dogovor. Ukoliko on nije moguć, za takve sporove je nadležan jedino međunarodni sud.

S obzirom na to da je Crna Gora, u takozvanom drugom valu pandemije, jedna od zdravstveno i ekonomski najpogođenijih zemalja u Europi, podržavam aktivnosti Europske komisije i nastavak akcije pomoći za brže cijepljenje i poboljšanja zdravstvenih sustava u regiji. Naša dužnost i obveza su pomoći susjednim zemljama tim više što pandemija ne prestaje na našim granicama.

Osobno mislim da bi trebali pomoći Crnoj Gori u pregovorima s međunarodnim financijskim institucijama o pozajmicama, kako bi uspjeli reprogramirati svoj vanjski dug prema Kini koji ozbiljno ugrožava održivost javnih financija, a ima i značajne političke i ekološke posljedice.

No dodatna pomoć sa strane Europske unije će imati puni značaj samo ako se naslanja na reforme zakonodavstva koje su u skladu s europskim standardima i preporukama. Uspješno partnerstvo je uvijek utemeljeno na obostranom doprinosu.

Za kraj, ono što posebno veseli, ali još više obvezuje, je iznimno visoka stopa podrške članstvu Crne Gore u Europskoj uniji. Ona je i dodatno porasla na 76,6 %, dok pozitivno mišljenje o Europskoj uniji ima 80 % građana. Ovo treba biti putokaz domaćim političkim akterima da poštuju jasnu volju građana kada je pristupanje Europskoj uniji u pitanju, ali predstavlja i obvezu Europskoj uniji da očuva kredibilitet i da novi zamah politici proširenja.

Vjerujem da je budućnost Crne Gore u Europskoj uniji, a uključivanje u rad Konferencije o budućnosti Europe, nje i država regije, simbolički važan korak u tom smjeru. Hvala.

  Augusto Santos Silva, President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, I would like to start by underlining the EU’s and our Presidency’s unequivocal commitment to Montenegro’s European perspective. We aim to advance the enlargement process as much as possible and we welcome the overall progress made in Montenegro’s accession negotiations so far.

All the screening chapters have been opened and important work on alignment with the acquis has taken place in many areas. We welcome and support Montenegro’s strategic choice of joining the European Union as well as its acceptance of the enhanced enlargement methodology. This methodology aims to enhance the enlargement process, and I am pleased to recall that the Council has already agreed on how to accommodate the methodology also to existing negotiating frameworks with Montenegro.

The enhancement methodology will bring a stronger focus on the rule of law, fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions and public administration reform, as well as to economic criteria. More political steer will strengthen the dialogue with the candidates and help them focus efforts on key reforms that should allow for further progress.

The goal is also to increase the dynamism and improve the predictability of the accession process based on objective criteria and rigorous positive and negative conditionality. We welcome the fact that Montenegro has accepted the new methodology. We are convinced that applying this new methodology will serve to reinvigorate the enlargement process.

In this light, the Presidency hopes to organise an intergovernmental conference with Montenegro at the end of June, assuming conditions are in place. Against this background, we encourage the new Montenegrin government to remain firmly on the EU path, including by continuing to fully align with EU foreign policy and to proactively step up and reinvigorate all reform efforts.

On the reform efforts, the message – also well reflected in your report – is clear: Montenegro still has work to do in order to meet the crucially important interim benchmarks set for the rule of law chapters. The implementation of reforms, particularly in the key critical areas of media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime, must be intensified. A renewed commitment to the implementation of the judicial reform is also needed. Remaining gaps and open issues should be addressed and reduced.

I would like to recall that the progress on the rule of law will continue to determine the overall pace of negotiations.

Finally, let me recall our appreciation for the overall constructive contribution of the European Parliament, and of Mr Picula in particular, to advance Montenegro’s accession process.

  Olivér Várhelyi, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, Mr Picula, thank you for your continued strong support for the European perspective of the whole Western Balkans. In March, during the joint debate on the progress reports on Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia, I already informed this House that we were working on providing vaccines to the Western Balkans to fight the COVID—19 pandemic. So let me give you a short update.

In the meantime, I travelled to the Western Balkans for the delivery of the first doses of the COVID—19 vaccines funded by the European Commission. In total, 651 000 Pfizer—BioNTech vaccines will be delivered to the region between May and August in weekly tranches. This is also thanks to the help of the Austrian Government.

The EU stands by the Western Balkans in the COVID -19 fight. Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided emergency support, including equipment, and redirected funds to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID—19 crisis. There was a particular focus on the healthcare sector, and the first vaccine deliveries will now ensure that all frontline medical workers in the region are vaccinated, as well as some other vulnerable groups. We care about our partners. Between now and August, over 42 000 doses will be delivered to Montenegro to help to accelerate the vaccination among healthcare workers and vulnerable groups. This comes on top of the vaccines Montenegro got via the COVAX Facility, where we are the top donors. Through this first EU vaccine-sharing and with COVAX, Montenegro will receive close to 130 000 doses of vaccines, and the whole Western Balkans almost a million vaccines.

We have been by Montenegro’s side from the start of the pandemic. We indeed very quickly committed EUR 53 million to respond to the urgent health needs and support economic and social recovery in the country. In addition, we have approved EUR 60 million in macrofinancial assistance, and we are right now preparing to release the second tranche of EUR 30 million, expected to be released by the end of May.

We are also fully committed to rebuilding the economy. This is the purpose of the economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans, which we adopted last October. With the substantial amount of EUR 28 billion, this plan has the potential to make the Western Balkans much more attractive for investment and to change the realities on the ground for the people of the Western Balkans. The plan will strengthen infrastructure, create jobs, boost growth potential for local businesses, improve the lives of Montenegrin citizens and contribute to a more resilient future. The plan also offers a path for successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between our regions, ultimately speeding up the process of EU integration.

Last but not least, as the largest provider of financial assistance and Montenegro’s main trading partner and the main investor in the country, the EU is financially involved in many ways. We are working with the Montenegro and European international financial institutions to make sure that Montenegro uses the full potential of the economic and investment plan and secures the sound investments needed for growth and recovery, while also securing serious reform commitments from Montenegro to improve its competitiveness and its public finance management.

The economic and investment plan will make a real difference for the economic recovery and the economic convergence of the entire region with the EU. The Western Balkans need these investments as soon as possible. Let me stress that, to provide this support, we need the IPA III regulation in place immediately. I hope we can reach a political agreement at the trilogue planned for 2 June, confirming to the region that the EU is a credible partner.

Let me turn to the Montenegro report. First, I would like to thank Mr Picula for his work and commitment. Following the elections of last August, the country is going through a transition period. However, I am pleased that EU accession remains the top priority for the new Montenegrin Government. With the revised methodology that Montenegro has opted into and the Council has agreed to, we now have the opportunity to bring stronger political steer to the process and accelerated integration. So I look forward to holding the first ‘political’ Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro as early as next month.

Clearly, the next milestone is meeting the interim benchmarks of the rule of law, Chapters 23 and 24. Before this, no chapters will be closed. So now more results are still needed in key critical areas, such as media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as a renewed commitment to the implementation of the judicial reform. On a positive note, we have already seen the new government’s commitment in a number of crucial areas. Allow me to name just a few examples that maybe you have taken note of as well.

The Montenegrin Parliament is taking steps to increase transparency and participation. But more cross-party dialogue is needed so that true progress can be made on EU-related reforms, most notably on judicial appointments. The government has also announced the phase-out of the economic citizenship scheme. This is very welcome. As regards the reform of the Prosecution Service, we welcome that, in the process of the revision of the law on the State Prosecution Service, Montenegro has twice requested the Venice Commission’s opinion. We trust Montenegro will address all the remaining issues, as highlighted in this opinion, both through legislation and through its implementation.

In conclusion, our priority now is to work with the government and its authorities to help them to translate their commitment into tangible progress on the ground, in particular in the area of the rule of law, in order to bring forward EU-related reforms without reversing earlier accomplishments.

  Željana Zovko, u ime Kluba PPE-a. – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, gospodine povjereniče, zapadni Balkan je poput vlaka smrti u zabavnom parku. Oni koji su gore, već sljedeći trenutak se mogu spustiti dolje. Tome smo svjedočili u posljednjih dvadeset godina s izvješćima o napretku tih država koje teže članstvu u Europskoj uniji.

U najnovijem izvješću smo pohvalili Crnu Goru, i ja čestitam izvjestitelju, kao najnapredniju i najperspektivniju državu koja nam pruža nadu u uspjeh u pregovorima o proširenju Europske unije.

Crna Gora, po mom mišljenju, bi trebala pojačati svoje napore u poboljšanju položaja nacionalnih manjina. Poštivanje jezika, kulturne baštine i tradicije je od ključne važnosti i dio je naših europskih vrijednosti. Pozivam stoga vladu Crne Gore da sa svojim susjedima riješi otvorena bilateralna pitanja i da potpuno udovolji pitanjima sukcesije, posebno u pogledu vojne imovine. Da bi postigla potpunu pomirbu sa susjedima, Crna Gora mora poboljšati svoje napore u kažnjavanju ratnih zločina i rasvjetljavanju sudbine nestalih osoba.

Naposljetku, budući da je Europska unija mobilizirala značajnu financijsku i materijalnu pomoć za suzbijanje pandemije korona-virusa, I would say too little and too late, i kao dio IPA financiranja, moramo povećati vidljivost i naglasiti učinak naše europske pomoći. And on the final note, I hope that we will have a final decision on IPA trilogue very soon.

  Petra Kammerevert, im Namen der S&D-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Zuerst einmal mein herzliches Dankeschön an Tonino Picula für seinen hervorragenden Bericht. Montenegro ist mittlerweile seit neun Jahren Beitrittskandidat, und ja, es gibt Fortschritte bei den Verhandlungen. Aber ich würde mir durchaus ein etwas ambitionierteres Verhandlungsengagement wünschen, um hier tatsächlich auch schnell weiterzukommen. Es ist erfreulich, dass eine überwältigende Mehrheit im Land weiterhin zum EU-Beitritt steht. Ich denke aber, wir dürfen das unter gar keinen Umständen durch weitere Verzögerungen aufs Spiel setzen.

Im Bereich der Medien und der Medienaufsicht zeigt der Fortschrittsbericht der Kommission erneut nur einen moderaten Fortschritt, hier muss Montenegro dringend weiter am Ball bleiben. Es ist unabdingbar, die Unabhängigkeit und Vielfalt der Medien in der Region als Stützpfeiler für Demokratie und als Garant vertrauenswürdiger Informationen weiter zu stärken. Hier muss die EU das Land auch weiter unterstützen.

Im Bildungsbereich gibt es gute Fortschritte, das System der dualen Ausbildung zeigt erste Erfolge, und auch die Teilnahme des Landes am Programm Erasmus+ verdeutlicht diese positive Entwicklung. Nachzuarbeiten gilt es aber im Bereich der Inklusion von Roma und Menschen mit Behinderung ins Bildungssystem. Ja, die Zukunft Montenegros liegt in der EU, und ich bin sehr zuversichtlich und hoffe, dass die Verhandlungen alsbald zu einem Abschluss kommen können.

  Klemen Grošelj, on behalf of the Renew Group. – Madam President, after a transition of power resulting from democratic elections, Montenegro is at an important crossroads. The country is highly politically polarised and the way in which this polarisation will or will not be neutralised will define the future of the country.

The best way forward is the continuation of the reforms, combined with an acceleration of accession talks, which will take the country towards full EU membership. Reforms are needed for the benefit of all people of Montenegro, regardless of their ethnic, religious or political conviction.

Only through economic and political reforms can Montenegro hope for a future that is more prosperous. This includes strengthening Montenegrin democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights like freedom of the media, freedom of speech, and human and civil rights in general. Without reforms, Montenegro’s future is in great peril of taking a devastating twist in the direction of ethnocentrism and instability.

The country needs to understand that the European path might not be the easiest one, but it is definitely the best one. The challenge of Chinese loans clearly shows there are no easy shortcuts and the price of taking it is enormous: it is the future of the nation. This is why I call on the Commission to work with the Montenegrin authorities to find a sustainable solution for the looming debt crisis. At the same time, Montenegro must use the full potential of available European funds for the development of the country in line with the Green Deal and digitalisation.

The future of Montenegro is in the EU, but its success lies in the hands of the Montenegrin authorities, which must make all the necessary efforts in overcoming divisions within its society for the benefit of all its citizens.

  Dominique Bilde, au nom du groupe ID. – Madame la Présidente, que le Monténégro soit au sein des Balkans occidentaux le plus proche de l’adhésion à l’Union européenne suffit à discréditer l’ensemble de ce processus d’élargissement, puisque ces derniers temps, cet État aurait été celui par qui le scandale arrive, que ce soit au regard du renouvellement jusqu’en 2021 de son programme de citoyenneté contre investissement, au mépris des risques en matière de transparence, ou de l’épée de Damoclès incarnée par le projet autoroutier chinois adossé à un prêt de quelque 800 millions d’euros. Ce chantier, sur lequel j’avais exprimé mes craintes dès le mois de février, est symptomatique du double discours du pays, aussi bien en matière d’allégeance internationale – il s’inscrit dans le cadre de la fameuse nouvelle route de la soie promue par la Chine –, qu’en matière environnementale, du fait des dégâts vraisemblablement irréversibles affectant la rivière de Tara.

Plus avant, la requête du gouvernement monténégrin en faveur d’une aide européenne face à des difficultés financières largement prévisibles annihile la crédibilité du pays dans des négociations d’adhésion, qui n’ont hélas plus lieu d’être.

  Thomas Waitz, im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar, Herr Minister! Ich finde, es ist anzuerkennen, dass dieses Land nach dreißig Jahren Regierung einer Partei einen friedlichen Übergang zu einer neuen Regierung geschafft hat. Und gleichzeitig liegt es auch an uns, die Partei DPS des Herrn Ðukanović dazu zu bewegen, eine gelebte Kohabitation zum Wohle des Landes auch zu leben und hier die notwendigen gesetzlichen Maßnahmen zu unterstützen.

Es gab Bedenken anfangs, als diese neue Regierung ins Amt gekommen ist. Aber es gibt nach wie vor eine hundertprozentige Übereinstimmung mit der Außen— und Sicherheitspolitik der Europäischen Union. Und es gibt nach wie vor ein klares Bekenntnis zum Pro—EU—Beitrittskurs des Landes. Auch in der Durchsetzung des Rechtsstaates, wo noch viel zu tun bleibt, werden ambitionierte Schritte gemacht. Hohe Mafiabosse wurden verhaftet, wofür auch ein hoher Preis zu zahlen ist. Ich zolle hier dem Vizepräsidenten Dritan Abazović Respekt, der unter Polizeischutz lebt, seit hier Verhaftungen stattgefunden haben, und mit dem Tod bedroht wird – auch das müssen wir hier anerkennen.

Es gibt positive Entwicklungen im Bereich des Umweltschutzes. Und es gibt ein großes Problem: Die letzte Regierung hat Riesenschulden aufgenommen, um eine sehr teure Autobahn zu bauen – und zwar von chinesischen Arbeitern bauen zu lassen –, finanziert von chinesischem Geld. Und ich rufe uns auf, dass wir sehen, wie wir eine Umschuldung zustande bringen können, damit wir Montenegro hier nicht China ausliefern. Zum Schluss noch Dank an unseren Berichterstatter, Herrn Picula, für die gute und konstruktive Zusammenarbeit.

  Zdzisław Krasnodębski, w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! Panie Ministrze! Wszyscy tutaj doceniamy postępy Czarnogóry w zakresie demokratyzacji państwa i ta pokojowa zmiana władzy, o której mówił kolega przedmówca, pokazała, że Czarnogórcy są społeczeństwem demokratycznym przywiązanym do wartości, jakie wszyscy wyznajemy w tym parlamencie.

Warto też docenić postawę Czarnogóry na arenie międzynarodowej. Państwo to od 2017 r. jest członkiem NATO, ostatnio dołączyło do unijnych sankcji po próbie otrucia Aleksieja Nawalnego. To wszystko przy bardzo agresywnych próbach ingerencji z zewnątrz, głównie ze strony Rosji.

Naturalnie pozostaje wiele rzeczy do zrobienia – pan komisarz o tym mówił. Wydaje mi się jednak, że być może czasami stawiamy poprzeczkę za wysoko. Należy bowiem oddzielić ocenę realizacji przez Czarnogórę tych najbardziej podstawowych kryteriów demokratycznego państwa prawa, o których mówiłem, od ideologicznych postulatów liberalno-lewicowych dotyczących głównie spraw światopoglądowych.

Pamiętajmy, że nawet wśród państw członkowskich nie sposób wskazać nieskazitelną demokrację, którą można by bezkrytycznie stawiać innym za wzór. A więc nie ideał, ale realność demokratyczna powinna nami kierować.

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signora Presidente, signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, il caso dell'autostrada che collegherà Bar a Boljare, finanziata tramite prestiti contratti con la Cina e che rischia di portare parte del territorio montenegrino sotto il controllo di Pechino, risulta sintomatico di come il processo di integrazione possa rapidamente avvitarsi su sé stesso.

Nonostante i moniti della BEI, della BERS e dell'intera Unione, la classe politica che governava precedentemente il Montenegro ha deciso di avventurarsi su questo sentiero azzardato e pericoloso. Oggi il Montenegro e una rinnovata classe dirigente ci chiedono aiuto per uscire da una situazione che è oggettivamente drammatica, creata dalla miopia politica e dalla rincorsa a tornaconti personali dei loro predecessori.

Pur criticando fermamente la decisione presa in passato, nociva tanto per l'UE quanto per il Paese, non possiamo permettere che gli sforzi incredibili degli ultimi anni passino in secondo piano, non possiamo permettere che le colpe dei padri ricadano sui figli.

Come per gli altri paesi dei Balcani occidentali, il Montenegro non condivide con noi solo il passato ma anche il futuro dell'Europa. Pertanto dobbiamo agire con decisione per scongiurare il rischio che un futuro Stato membro, a causa dei prestiti capestro, diventi un avamposto di una potenza terza nel cuore dell'Europa.

  David McAllister (PPE). – Madam President, as Tonino Picula and other speakers have already pointed out, Montenegro is currently the most advanced country in an EU accession process. However, as we have also heard, further reforms as regards the rule of law, the judiciary, media freedom and the fight against corruption remain essential.

The elections on 30 August last year resulted in the first transition of power since the introduction of the multiparty system in this country. Just 2 months ago in the Foreign Affairs Committee we have discussed the first 100 days of a new government with the new deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr Dritan Abazović. I welcome his clear commitment and pledge to keep a pro-EU and a pro-NATO course. This should be the position of all parties in the government.

Our priority and what will be key now is to deepen and to speed up reforms, particularly with regard to the rule of law, where the next milestone ahead is meeting the benchmarks under the rule of law and fundamental freedoms Chapters 23 and 24. To overcome the socio-economic crisis due to the pandemic, which has hit Montenegro particularly hard, the EU is ready to continue its support because, as Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said, we care about our partners.

(Applause)

  Elena Yoncheva (S&D). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, je suis fermement convaincue que nous devons tous féliciter le Monténégro pour les progrès dans plusieurs domaines clés des négociations d’adhésion et pour ses efforts pour éradiquer la criminalité organisée et la corruption.

Cependant, nous devons mentionner le fait que des pas supplémentaires doivent être faits pour garantir la liberté d’expression et la liberté des médias au Monténégro. Nous devons envoyer un message clair: l’Union européenne dénonce et condamne toutes les formes d’attaques contre les médias et toutes les formes d’attaques contre les journalistes.

Il y a encore du travail à faire pour ce qui concerne la réforme du système juridique, de l’état de droit et du pouvoir judiciaire. Nos partenaires monténégrins peuvent s’appuyer sur les meilleures pratiques de l’Union européenne.

  Valter Flego (Renew). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, poštovani povjereniče, izvjestitelju, kolegice i kolege, preko 76 % građanki i građana Crne Gore želi ući u Europsku uniju i želi provesti reforme temeljene na europskim vrijednostima. To je uvjerljivo najviše u regiji, uvjerljivo najviše na zapadnom Balkanu.

Međutim, nažalost, u proteklih godinu dana po tom pitanju malo ili ništa se nije učinilo. Nešto zbog COVID-krize, nešto zbog nedostatka, ja bih rekao volje i odlučnosti, nešto zbog izbora u Crnoj Gori. I jasno je da to treba sada promijeniti. Cilj mora biti da Europa opet dođe na 28 država članica, a ja sam siguran da 28. treba biti Crna Gora i svi ćemo biti na dobitku - i Europa i Crna Gora, ali i Hrvatska.

Zato pozivam da svi radimo na tome. Pozivam Crnu Goru da provede potrebne reforme, a vjerujem i siguran sam da ovaj Parlament, i ja osobno, u tome hoćemo biti veliki prijatelji i partneri Crnoj Gori.

  Paulo Rangel (PPE). – Madam President, Minister, Commissioner, we know that Montenegro shares with us a history but also the future. We welcome the transition of government that was possible in the last year and that really shows that democracy is working in Montenegro. But we also call on the current government to speed up the reforms, to implement not only economic reforms but also the political ones that are required to accomplish the principles of rule of law and fundamental rights, the independence of the judiciary and all the mechanisms necessary to fight corruption.

We want to see Montenegro as a partner, probably the front—runner of accession of the Balkans. This is the message that we have to the people of Montenegro. But don’t forget: you have to deliver and to deliver in the short run.

  Thijs Reuten (S&D). – Madam President, the people of Montenegro deserve credible prospects for EU accession and they have my full support. But that ambition requires clear action from the country’s leadership, and now is the moment to set certain political differences aside and make the right choices in the interests of all Montenegrins. Because as the rapporteur rightly said, what truly improves everyday lives is clear rule of law, media freedom and anti-corruption reforms that only Montenegro’s government can implement, and it must be free to do so without foreign interference.

That is why the Council and the Commission must take decisive action to help Montenegro combat Russian and regional disinformation, to address China’s predatory lending practices, and acquire COVID vaccines. Especially now, we must stand side by side with the people of Montenegro and with the entire Western Balkans on the path to a shared destiny as Europeans.

  Vladimír Bilčík (PPE). – Madam President, first I want to express my condolences to all victims of COVID-19 in Montenegro, a country hit especially hard by the pandemic.

In this context I commend the peaceful and orderly conduct of parliamentary elections last August. As Chair of the European Parliament Delegation with Montenegro, I was pleased to establish good channels of communication with Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić and Speaker Becic, whom I met online on their first working day in office in Podgorica.

Let us speak openly then today. Montenegro is at a crossroads. It has opened all negotiating chapters and closed three, but as a front-runner of the EU accession process, the country has been standing still for long months, and some actions by the new governing majority are raising important questions about Montenegro’s geopolitical orientation. We should all pay attention to Montenegro today. If this small country on the Adriatic turns East, it could have far-reaching consequences for the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

I am concerned about the adoption of the Law on State Prosecution Services. It leaves an important space for the politicisation of Montenegro’s justice. Just like Podgorica has maintained full alignment with EU foreign policy, it should follow all recommendations of the Venice Commission and European institutions. European path is not about partial measures and voluntary choices from a given menu. It is about full commitment and building of trust with European partners. Important legislation on justice and citizenship must be passed with broad political and public support and according to European democratic standards and practices.

We are all well aware that this is an undertaking that requires full political support across the political spectrum. This is why I also warn against parliamentary boycott. This is not a European way of solving political battles.

Let me just conclude. We in this Parliament stand ready to support all genuine pro-EU reforms and work together with everyone who is seriously committed to making Montenegro the 28th Member State of the European Union.

(Applause)

  Olivér Várhelyi, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, our discussion today demonstrates that the EU treats the Western Balkans as a privileged partner and that we are committed to advancing Montenegro’s EU path. We have revised the enlargement methodology with the aim to strengthen the credibility, the predictability, of the enlargement process, while also injecting and adding dynamism and more political steer, and of course, keeping the fundamentals at the centre.

To move forward, progress in the area of rule of law will be essential and I look forward to clear progress in this area. With our world in a period of transition marked by a global pandemic, major geopolitical and economic power shifts, the EU has been and will continue to care for and stand by Montenegro as its first political trade and economic partner. This includes helping the country to overcome previous financial arrangements creating severe risks, be they political and/or financial, and I keep recalling that the entire Western Balkans region is a priority for us, for the EU, for the Commission, and for me personally.

  Augusto Santos Silva, Presidente em exercício do Conselho. – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Comissário, Senhoras e Senhores Deputados, em primeiro lugar agradeço de novo ao Deputado Tonino Picula pela relevância, o interesse e o conteúdo muito importante no relatório aqui apresentado. Ele permitiu suscitar um debate construtivo a respeito do processo de adesão do Montenegro.

Gostaria também de agradecer o empenhamento do Parlamento Europeu e o apoio do Parlamento Europeu à política de alargamento. Gostaria de dizer que a política de alargamento é uma das prioridades da Presidência Portuguesa do Conselho da União Europeia e continua a ser o nosso objetivo lançar uma nova conferência intergovernamental com o Montenegro, assim como com a Sérvia, no final de junho próximo.

E, finalmente, gostaria de dizer que o processo de integração é sempre um processo muito exigente. Saudamos os progressos feitos até agora pelo Montenegro, mas sublinhamos a importância de prosseguir com as reformas em áreas essenciais como a liberdade dos media, o combate à corrupção, a reforma da administração pública e todas as outras reformas indispensáveis para o alinhamento do Montenegro com o acervo da União Europeia e também com a nossa política externa.

VORSITZ: RAINER WIELAND
Vizepräsident

  Der Präsident. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Abstimmung über die Änderungsanträge findet heute, Dienstag, 18. Mai 2021, statt. Die Schlussabstimmung findet am Mittwoch, 19. Mai 2021, statt.

Bevor wir die Aussprachen fortsetzen, gebe ich nun die Ergebnisse der ersten Abstimmungsrunde des heutigen Tages bekannt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

  Andor Deli (NI), írásban. – Magyarország határozottan támogatja a Nyugat-Balkán országainak mielőbbi európai uniós csatlakozását. A térség országai közül Montenegró áll a legközelebb az uniós tagsághoz. Örömmel tölt el, hogy az ország alkalmazni fogja a Várhelyi Olivér bővítésért is felelős biztos által kidolgozott új bővítési módszertant. Reményeim szerint ennek köszönhetően sikerül felgyorsítani a tárgyalási fejezetek lezárását és Montenegró mielőbb csatlakozhat az Európai Unióhoz. A koronavírus-járvány azonban nagy kihívások elé állította az egész világot az utóbbi másfél évben. Nem volt ez másképpen Montenegró esetében sem.

Mivel az ország lakosságának nagy része a turizmusból él, kulcsfontosságú, hogy mielőbb újra induljon a gazdaság, visszatérhessenek a turisták az országba. Ennek pedig egyik legfontosabb feltétele az, hogy álljon rendelkezésre elég oltóanyag és éljenek az emberek az oltás lehetőségével. Montenegróban és az Európai Unióban egyaránt. Fontosnak tartom, hogy az EU fokozza a Montenegrónak és az egész térségnek nyújtott segítségét, úgy gazdasági értelemben, mint oltóanyagok tekintetében, hogy mielőbb visszatérhessen az élet a jól megszokott mederbe. A Fidesz-küldöttség tagjaként szavazatommal támogatom a jelentést.