Executive Director of Politikon Jovana Marovic believes that it is unlikely that the EU will have the understanding of Djukanovic by the time they sign the accession agreement with Montenegro. "In the time frame in which Montenegro was likely to access the EU, this would mean that it will still fulfil certain conditions and criteria that led to this. More importantly, every role of the EU in the democratization of Montenegro must include insisting on the process of all those responsible for the state of the country, corruption and organized crime, i.e. the real responsibility. Any other tactic would mean further maintaining in the life of the autocrats in the Western Balkans, who put the ruling positions above everything. Such a scenario can lead us to a completely opposite direction from what the EU expects," she says.
Referring to the sources in EU institutions and member states, "Vijesti" reported that Montenegro's official Podgorica and Djukanovic cabinet were informed that Montenegro will not be able to enter the EU before he becomes politically retired. Due to the sensitive situation in the region and the EU's decision not to hurry up with the admission of new members, according to Djukanovic, no drastic measures will be taken. There were no comments from the cabinet of the president of Montenegro, while Djukanovic said at the ministerial conference "The Heritage of the Future" that reforms need to be devoted to ensuring that Montenegro respects the European values. He believes that Montenegro has gone far from other countries on the road to the European integration and unambiguously demonstrates the political will to become part of the EU.
Balkan autocrats undermine EU authority: Djukanovic and Mogerini PHOTO: Cabinet of the president of Montenegro
"This will depend on the ability of the EU to absorb all those countries that want to be part of the EU, but an important part of the responsibility is on our side," Djukanovic said, adding that the fate of the European integration would primarily depend on the EU's ability to overcome its crisis.
Djukanovic recently stated that Montenegro will re-examine relations with the EU if Brussels begins to reflect upon expansion, citing that it thinks of the EU as a privileged partner, but that partnership must be mutually shown. He also said that Brussels knows how to establish a relationship with the Balkans with a certain colonial syndrome, as well as that Montenegro has bad experiences with the EU Delegation. The president of the state said earlier that Montenegro will "not kneel in front of the EU’s door nor beg them to open it". Marovic believes that by criticizing the Brussels policy, Djukanovic points out that "this is the highest level of reform the government is ready to offer".
"It is clear that many decades-long government of continuity has only been left to point to constant threats and potential detachment from the European path so that it would convince the EU that it is less of a pity if it integrates Montenegro regardless of the unsatisfactory level of democratization, rather than leaving it small and unprotected in the windstorms," she says.
The leader of Demos Miodrag Lekic warns that the relationship between Brussels and Djukanovic is in the duality of geopolitical interests and value-based postures on which the EU is based. "Both moments require, diplomatically speaking, the distance from the local autocrats, who appear quite the opposite of the proclaimed European rules and values. They are even linked as protagonists in the field of crime and corruption. That is why there comes the question - why continue with the unpleasant partner Djukanovic and even more incriminating records they have on him?" Lekic said, stating that it is not only about the risk of compromising the EU because of the partnership with Djukanovic. "It is objectively about the brake that prevents his absolutist aspirations real progress in the area of functioning by the rule of law and the basic postulates of democracy. The state of the unsatisfactory economy, which is concealed by the attempt of "sustainable propaganda" and taking the loans by the country, raises concerns in the analysis by Brussels," Lekic warned.
While Brussels weakens, NATO is at the center of power
Lekic considers that the geopolitical interest of the EU is complex despite the risk of credibility in their partnership with Dukanovic.
Lekić PHOTO: Luka Zeković
"The European integration of the Western Balkans is a natural and objective interest of Brussels, especially in the context of interests and specific methods of sharing other entities in the same space, above all the US, Russia and Turkey. Returning to Djukanovic and his primary goal of always adjusting the relationship of power and thus continuing with the absolutist rule, it must be pointed out that he counts on the loyalty of NATO and the United States, counting that the center of gravity is there. That they would be more willing to close an eye before his autocratic rule. If the EU is at its weakest, Djukanovic is occasionally deranged with some of the demands of the fight against corruption and crime. Things are being stripped naked, now all actors, domestic and international, should show their real faces," says Lekic.
Text by Samir Kajosevic, on September 21st 2018, read more at Vijesti
