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EU PICKS MONTENEGRO AS NEWEST CANDIDATE
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EU PICKS MONTENEGRO AS NEWEST CANDIDATE
Published on: Nov 10, 2010 • 12:24 AM Author: Biro
• Government pledges speedy resolution to accession-talk hurdles
Podgorica, Montenegro (November 9) – Montenegro, the newest democracy in the Mediterranean basin, today marked the crowning achievement of its European integration strategy when the European Commission approved its candidacy for European Union membership.
Montenegro, the smallest of the former Yugoslav republics, was the only Balkan country to attain candidate status this year. Since achieving independence in 2006, Montenegrins have unreservedly applied themselves to fulfilling the entry requirements set forth by Brussels. The World Bank’s Doing Business 2011 report designates Montenegro as the country that has implemented the most extensive economic reforms in the Balkans this year.
We overhauled our economic infrastructure to sustain market competition. We implemented a transparent financial system that allows for free capital inflows and outflows. We spent millions of euros revamping our environmental, energy and transportation infrastructure. We sold off inefficient state-run companies to private operators. We have exited the global recession and are on track for GDP growth of 4.5 percent in 2011 – three points ahead of Europe’s advanced economies, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Regarding the timetable, EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle said the EU should open accession talks with Montenegro “once the country has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria… requiring the stability of institutions guaranteeing notably the rule of law.”
Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic today stressed that all public authorities are strongly committed to meeting the EU requirements on rule of law – especially the fight against organized crime and corruption.
“I have no fears about Montenegro’s capability to meet its commitments in these or any other areas that come under the spotlight of our European partners,” the prime minister said in an interview to a local radio station today. “The government is already making intense efforts in all these areas. We’re not doing it because the EU expects us to, but to improve the quality of life of our people.”
Corruption and organized crime are the terrible legacy of the wars of the 1990s and the ensuing economic sanctions. The Montenegrin government understands that the EU is sensitive to such phenomena given the problems some members have recently experienced. Montenegro will not only meet the EU’s stipulations, it will surpass them.
Since 2006 in particular, Montenegro has taken action with new laws, new institutions and a new judicial culture:
Montenegro and Serbia signed an extradition treaty on October 30; one day later, six suspects wanted by Serbia were behind bars.
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) says Montenegro has successfully implemented 67 percent of its recommendations since 2006 – the highest percentage in the Balkans.
The World Economic Forum’s 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Index gives Montenegro the second-lowest ranking for organized crime in the Balkans.
The challenges are clear and so is Montenegro’s will to overcome them. With E.U. membership within reach, the coming period will see rapid reform and dogged determination.
For more information, please contact:
Vuk Vujnović
International Public Relations Office, Government of Montenegro
Tel/fax: +382 20 482 928
Mob: +382 67 633 722
vuk.vujnovic@gov.me
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