Take advantage of all mechanisms that negotiations with the EU provide

States should use all the mechanisms of social reforms offered within the negotiating process with the European Union and set realistic goals, with the engagement of the entire society, said at the panel debate "Negotiations with the EU: Now and Then".

Aleksandar Drljevic, Chief Negotiator for Montenegro’s accession to the EU, prof. Tanja Miscevic, head of the Negotiating Team for Negotiating Serbia's Accession to the EU, and Veselko Grubisic, Croatian Ambassador to Montenegro spoke today about the negotiating process's experience, while the moderator of the panel was the President of Montenegrin Pan-European Union, prof. Gordana Djurovic.

Drljevic recalled the new approach in the negotiations with the EU, pointing out that it is good that the reforms have started just in the areas covered by chapters 23 and 24, and that in this phase of integration it is necessary to show readiness for further progress in other chapters as well. "Since the beginning of the integration process Montenegro is guided by the principle of "quality before speed" and everything we have done in the previous period and what we need to do is related to the change of Montenegrin society and institutions. We are implementing reforms for our citizens and a better life in this area”, he said.

Miscevic praised the extremely good relations between the negotiating teams of Serbia and Montenegro, assessing that for many changes the time is needed, and that’s why the exchange of experiences is very important. "The rule of law is particularly important in this process, because without the rule of law there is neither development, nor foreign investments, nor sustainable domestic investments, nor the development of local self-governments. This is the basis for the reforms, and for all of these the state administration reform is needed, "Miščević said.

During the panel, the value of regional cooperation and projects implemented under the Berlin Process was highlighted, especially in the context of overcoming the numerous infrastructure challenges that the region was facing with. The expectation that the continuation of the Berlin Process will be supported at the upcoming summit in London was pointed out.

Ambassador Grubisic pointed out that the Croatian society today, when Croatia is the EU Member State, is better than 15 years ago and that the state used the mechanisms during the negotiation process and implemented the necessary reforms, stressing that it is important the entire society to be involved in the process.

"Membership has had a positive impact on the state in many areas. I would mention as an example the tourism - the difference in the number of tourists in 2017 and 2013 is 4 million. As a negative thing, I would say that young people would rather go to countries that offer higher salaries”, Croatian Ambassador said.

The panel debate was organized by the European Integration Office of Montenegro, in cooperation with the Montenegrin Pan-European Union, on the occasion of marking six years since the start of the accession negotiations of Montenegro to the EU.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yaofz4Gqkus

GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO
SECTOR FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EU AND THE EU ACCESSION PROCESS