
Slovenian Foreign Minister and long-serving MEP Tanja Fajon warned that if Montenegro does not move in the right direction and return to the path of European integration, the consequences will be inevitable. Speaking to Pobjeda, Fajon said she would not talk about who should and should not be in the Montenegrin government, but reiterated that it would not be good if the executive was formed on the basis of very questionable changes to the presidential law.
POBJEDA: You recently visited Montenegro and you were probably the first official who openly warned the Montenegrin authorities that the negotiations could be stalled. What is the likelihood of that really happening if the Constitutional Court judges are not elected by the end of January?
FAJON: I can only repeat that Slovenia is a great friend of Montenegro and the region. We will do everything we can to ensure that Montenegro stays and progresses on its path to the EU.
Sincere friends sometimes have to be frank in pointing out problems. We simply want to help. My Austrian colleague and I have, on behalf of the EU, drawn attention to the seriousness of the situation. Montenegro has missed many opportunities and we want to see it back on the European track as soon as possible.
I do not want to prejudge the debate within the EU on the subject of halting Montenegro’s negotiations with the EU. At that time, I pointed out the possibility that exists and that is in line with the new enlargement methodology. Let me repeat: the situation is serious and everything must be done to move Montenegro in the right direction. We are committed to this and we expect this from the Montenegrin political leadership. It is clear that if this does not happen – certain consequences are inevitable.
POBJEDA: Do you think that the authorities in Montenegro have taken your message seriously, given that previous warnings and recommendations from Brussels have been ignored?
FAJON: Time will tell. I believe that there are enough responsible and serious people who will make the right decision. And it is not limited to power and it cannot be just who has or will have power. It is the responsibility of everybody in political life in Montenegro, but also of civil society and so on. This is a serious turning point and a crisis. It is the voters, the citizens of Montenegro, more than 75% of whom support Montenegro’s European future, who will ultimately decide on behaviour and accountability.
POBJEDA: Is the EU considering ending the visa-free regime for Montenegro as a form of sanction?
FAJON: I have not taken part in the discussions on this subject. Things can still be resolved and I am sure that Montenegro can soon get back on track with European integration, although I do not think it is a good idea to punish people for the possible irresponsibility of politicians. Montenegro is still the most advanced on the road to the EU, having opened all the chapters and closed some. What is needed now is a rapid solution to the political and institutional crisis, and the first important step on this path is to establish the full capacity of the Constitutional Court.
POBJEDA: No one in the governing majority has commented on reports from Brussels that the EU could halt negotiations. Does this mean that the authorities do not care about the country’s future in Europe?
FAJON: It is difficult to understand what the ruling majority is, but I think that the leading political parties, or elements within them, are pro-European. The current situation is ideal to prove this. But that does not mean that we do not hear and see warnings that there are elements in Montenegrin politics that are influenced by third parties. This is all the more reason for the EU to do everything to keep Montenegro on the European path.
POBJEDA: How do you comment on the fact that, despite the EU’s warning, the mandate holder, Miodrag Lekic, is announcing that the Democratic Front will be part of the government, on the grounds that they have not publicly supported Russia? How would this affect international cooperation with partners?
FAJON: You cannot expect me to decide who should be in the Montenegrin government or coalition. That is certainly not my mission. Montenegro is a sovereign country. Relations with international partners would be influenced by the determination and actions of the government. Any government. Having said that, we have noted that the way in which the future government of Montenegro is formed is not irrelevant. I do not think that it would be a good thing if this were to happen on the basis of very questionable changes to the law on the President. Let the Constitutional Court of Montenegro decide on the constitutionality of this law first, and it is important for everyone that the court is formed as soon as possible. Our opinion on this is based on the opinion of the Venice Commission.
POBJEDA: Does the formation of the government in this way open up further room for Russian and Serbian interference in Montenegro’s internal affairs, given the close relations of the President of the DF with representatives of Belgrade and Moscow?
FAJON: The international context has certainly changed after the Russian attack on Ukraine, and of course it is important for us that Montenegro remains within the framework of the EU’s previous strategic commitments. Despite all the internal problems, Montenegro is fully aligned with the EU’s foreign and security policy. This is very important.
We will support all those who share this orientation. Time and action will show who is against Montenegro’s European orientation and what the electorate thinks about it.
POBJEDA: One of the DF leaders, like Lekic, says that “Montenegro respects the EU recommendations, but that it will decide on its own internal issues”. How do you perceive that – we don’t care what you say?
FAJON: I repeat: Montenegro is a sovereign state and should decide on its internal issues. But it is clear that it is important for us in the EU that a country that wants to become part of the European family shares our values, makes that clear and respects our positions.
It is important that democratic institutions are fully established in Montenegro, that the country has an independent judiciary and media, and that it respects its laws and constitution. Of course, it is also important for us that it maintains the strategic commitments it has made so far. It is my wish that Montenegro gets through this crisis as quickly as possible and gets a fully legitimate government.
I will take this opportunity to wish all citizens of Montenegro a happy holiday season and a happy New Year. I hope that Montenegro will make concrete progress on the road to the EU in 2023./Pobjeda/