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Politicians in Montenegro must not allow resurrection of nationalism

Meglena Plugčieva.

Montenegro is a very good example of a multi-ethnic, secular state with a clear European profile. I think that Montenegrin citizens show more maturity, want peace and understanding and a good and safe perspective for themselves and their children. And the duty of politicians is to rule in a way that meets those expectations and does not allow nationalism to resurrect, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Montenegro, Dr Meglena Plugchieva, says in an interview with Pobjeda

The participants in the summit held in Sofia on 10 November as part of the Berlin Process signed the Declaration on the Common Market of the Western Balkan Countries and the Declaration on the Green Agenda. What does this mean for the citizens of our region?

These are two very important documents for accelerating the process of European integration of the Western Balkan countries. The establishment of a common regional law market is a preparation for the inclusion of countries in the EU common market, where the principles of free movement of people, goods, services and capital are applied, while ensuring the connection of WB economies with other EU countries. It also means a shared commitment to attracting foreign investors for the entire region.

It also means creating digital, industrial and innovative connections. For example, a reduction in roaming prices, the introduction of a 5G mobile network. Better economic integration means higher economic growth and more jobs, and that creates a real prospect for citizens, especially young people, to stay in the region.

The Declaration on the Green Agenda is in line with the EU’s efforts to combat climate change, protect the environment and develop a so-called resource-saving green and low-carbon economy. The countries of the Western Balkans are committed to action in 5 key areas: climate, energy, transport, water and air protection, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Both documents are in line with the Economic and Investment Plan adopted by the EC in October.

For citizens, this means a lot of new, mostly economically good opportunities, but in order to use them, governments and parliaments in the Western Balkans must take appropriate action.

What kind of actions?

One example – next year the EU will ban the use of single-use plastic products, and Montenegro should harmonize its legislation in this area, and people must comply with the requirements. At the same time, sustainable forest management and wood products will become more important!

Speaking about the Declaration on the Common Market, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria said: “It was our dream. 20 million people live in the Balkans and we want them to have higher incomes and stay in this area”. Do you believe that the countries of the region are ready to put aside all open issues and cooperate for the better future of our citizens?

This question reminds me of the comment of a colleague, an experienced diplomat, who told me 15 years ago: “You sleep in the same bed in the Balkans, but you dream differently”. I did not like this formulation and I am glad for that dream expressed by our Prime Minister. Bulgaria has just become a reality, as it was in 2018, when during the presidency we managed to convince everyone that the European perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans is a common priority and duty, a common goal, interest and desire. You see, since 2018, serious progress has been made.

Let’s just put aside prejudices and bad memories from the past and cooperate. Only with common will, reconciliation and a lot of work will we be able to resolve open issues. Why not look at how many things connect us in the Balkans, common geography, destiny, history, tradition and culture. We have very talented people and it would be good to keep them here, at home. We have a multi-ethnic structure and we can be a good example of tolerance and understanding, and good neighborliness.

Montenegro is a very good example of a multi-ethnic, secular state with a clear European profile. I think ordinary people show more maturity, want peace and understanding and a good and safe perspective for themselves and their children. And it is the duty of politicians to govern in a way that meets those expectations and not allow nationalism to resurrect. Public opinion polls in Montenegro show that two thirds of citizens see their future in the EU. This is the strongest European vision of the population in the countries of the Western Balkans. And this gives me confidence that compromises will be found for the sake of a better common future. The EU has succeeded in transforming Europe, which has been marked by wars in the past, into the best example for uniting different countries and cultures living together in peace and prosperity. Why would the Balkans fail?

So, the EU path is the key for WB…

There is no better alternative for all of us than EU membership. I am convinced that then and very soon the old enemies of the past will be forgotten. All of this reminds me of conversations with fellow ambassadors to the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2006, while I was ambassador to Berlin. As you know, both countries were part of Czechoslovakia, and in the early 1990s they split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and in 2004 they joined the EU. My colleagues then commented: “It is good that we have entered the EU. Now we are together again. There are no borders, and we are part of one big family”.

To what extent will these two declarations be enforceable in practice, given the huge problem of the pandemic that is closing the countries of the region again? How to improve cooperation in these difficult conditions?

This period is really very difficult for everyone and that creates additional difficulties. The vaccine is expected in 2021, and as you know, the EC has concluded an agreement with the German-American concern, Biontech-Pfizer, on the production of 400 million units of the vaccine doses for EU citizens. I am sure that the countries of the Western Balkans will be included in these plans.

This situation will be overcome, but in difficult situations the best thing we can do is show more tolerance, solidarity, mutual help and good cooperation. We have to look for any way to help each other if we want to succeed. Division and conflict will only make the situation worse.

The signing of the declarations was supported by all leaders of the European Union, as well as Chancellor Merkel, who is the patron of the Berlin process. Do you think that the EU is sufficiently committed to the region of the Western Balkans and aware of the numerous problems and external pressures that this part of Europe is facing?

The new EC and EU leaders show a clear will to support and speed up the EU accession negotiation process. There are many examples, but I cannot list them all. How much financial aid and donations to Montenegro have arrived from the EU and some EU member states in the last year alone, since the beginning of the virus crisis. I will only mention the aid of €53 million and €60 million of preferential loans to Montenegro since the beginning of the pandemic. Then there is the EC Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, officially announced by Commissioner Varhely in October, which includes specific projects such as: improving the Sarajevo-Podgorica connection; Tirana – Podgorica railway, Blue Highway from Croatia to Greece near Budva; the Piva hydropower system and the construction of the Komarnica hydropower system will begin; the trans-Balkan electricity corridor connecting Serbia, Montenegro and BiH will connect the region with the EU; integrated regional waste management system for Albania, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Serbia; digital infrastructure and projects to support agriculture and mountain areas. And special attention and measures to support young people.

How much will the Berlin Process and these declarations help speed up the path of the countries of the region towards the EU, and when can we expect Montenegro to become a member of the Union?

The Berlin Process and the declarations are important, but in order to achieve real acceleration on the road to the EU, common will and real work are needed to make them happen, because otherwise a beautiful but empty text on paper will remain. I would very much like to see Montenegro in the EU much earlier than the commented 2025. To date, Montenegro has been a leader in the negotiation process and I hope it will remain in this position. But membership can’t just be the date we’re waiting for. Every day, all interested parties- politicians and societies from the Western Balkans and we from the EU must make efforts to make this a reality soon.

Bulgaria is aiding Montenegro through development projects, but there are many challenges on our path to the EU. What would be the key advice of Bulgaria, as a member, which Montenegro should heed to become part of the European community as soon as possible?

Only for the period between June 2019 and November 2020, Bulgaria is financing four projects worth a total of €132.000 euros in Podgorica, Danilovgrad and hospitals in Bijelo Polje and the lung hospital in Brezovik in Nikšić.

All negotiating chapters are important, but achievements in the areas of rule of law and economy are crucial and guarantee the sustainable development and future of the country. From our experience, I can say that a successful recipe is a lot of constant concrete work on meeting the standards and criteria and national consensus on EU membership, which means the common will and joint efforts of politicians, institutions, civil society, business and the media. Bulgarians are individualists by nature, but there was unanimity and unity around this topic and it was crowned with success, which is visible today in Bulgaria in all areas.

 

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