Foreign Minister gives interview to TV Montenegro, presents next steps in meeting EC requirements

Interview with Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, TV Montenegro, 17 February 2011. (English translation)

For video please click on the video link above.

MILICA BABIĆ (Newsreader): Our country has gone a step further in European integration. The Government adopted the Action Plan to monitor the implementation of recommendations from the European Commission’s Opinion. The final version of the Action Plan is a revision of the draft document ensuing from the public debate. Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Roćen told the News that the whole society needs to work towards meeting the seven EC tasks.

ZORAN LEKOVIĆ (Reporter): The Government adopted the Action Plan for Monitoring the Implementation of Recommendations from the European Commission’s Opinion today. Mr. Roćen, the EC has already assessed the Action Plan as very good, while giving some additional suggestions. What lies ahead for Montenegro in its further implementation?

MILAN ROĆEN (Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration): Through concrete activities we need to demonstrate strong political will to solve issues and we must show that the process has begun. Indeed, Montenegro has achieved tremendous rise in European integration, but we have only now reached the foot of the European hill and the road we take from now on will only have a steeper slope. But this is why we have to bring all social forces together to reach the top. Nobody in Brussels expects us to have it all done by autumn this year. There are simply tasks and commitments in those seven requirements that will not be completed even when we become an EU member.

LEKOVIĆ: We often hear words of praise from Brussels for the broad political and social consensus over Montenegro’s European integration. Could the same be said for the Action Plan, given that NGO representatives, media, and civil society in general all took part in its drafting?

ROĆEN: This is true. We need to use all the brains we have in Montenegro; we need to bring together all social actors and forces at our disposal in Montenegro in order to respond to this challenge. I believe the time of political talk is behind us. The process of European integration can no longer be used for the Government’s domestic promotion purposes, nor can it be used by the opposition or any other member of the Montenegrin society as a tool for criticism of the Government, however ill-founded. I would say that this is a moment of truth for Montenegro, when the process must be generally regarded as something that belongs to the entire Montenegrin society. I do not wish to relieve the Government of the burden of responsibility. Quite the contrary. All that is done well is the success of us all, but if something is done badly it falls mainly on the Government.

LEKOVIĆ: You probably believe that the seven EC recommendations are perhaps equally important. Which, in your opinion, will be the hardest task for Montenegro?

ROĆEN: In any case, these are the rule of law and fight against organised crime and corruption, and not because these are idiosyncratic to Montenegro or because some malevolently wish to stigmatise Montenegro over these issues.