During the regional online conference ‘Time of Challenges – Cohesion of Berlin process and EU Integration of the Western Balkans’, the European Parliament Rapporteur for Montenegro, Mr Tonino Picula, shared his hopes that a new government in Montenegro would be formed in line with deadline prescribed by the Constitution and would deal with the major problems of the country. During the conference, Mr Vladimir Bilčik, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the EU-Montenegro SAPC, had a message as well. Mr Bilčik told that Europe wanted to see reforms and they shouldn’t be implemented in Brussels but rather in the countries of the region.
According to Mr Picula, Montenegro is now going through the period that most countries have already faced, adding that this whole thing has been a unique experience for the EU.
“This is the first time that we have the change of power in Montenegro. The opposition got the opportunity to form a new government, whereas the former ruling coalition now has to prepare itself to become an opposition. In a way, it’s a democratic process, but there are many issues when it comes to Montenegro due to the nature of the former opposition bloc and how they perceive the relations with neighbors, primarily Serbia, Kosovo and all other countries… It’s normal to ask,” Mr Picula told.
The EU first wants to see the formation of bodies by the new government.
“The EU is quite interested in the intentions of a new parliamentary majority and the first steps of the new government. Let’s hope for the best – that the new government will be formed within the deadlines determined by the Constitution and that it’d start dealing with the major issues of the country,” he added.
“We need to hear a clear message: Europe is our strategic goal. That’s true and something like that doesn’t prevent a partnership with China or other countries, but we must hear that clear message followed by relevant changes in those countries.”
