Milatović invites party leaders to a meeting: Laws on the NSA and the Ministry of Interior are turning Montenegro into North Korea

Montenegro is facing a political and institutional crisis following the adoption of the Law on Internal Affairs and the Law on the National Security Agency – President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović said, adding that he has invited all leaders of political parties to a meeting aimed at resolving the political crisis and enabling the continuation of the country’s European path.

Two days ago, he noted, there was a blockage in decision-making at the Constitutional Court.

- This is due to the failure to appoint two judges. The Electoral Reform Committee does not exist. We are witnessing that our EU partners are closely monitoring everything. The pace of closing negotiation chapters is slower than planned - Milatović said.

According to him, since the beginning of the year only two chapters have been closed instead of the planned six.

Milatović stressed that the country has entered a decisive phase of this process.

Taking into account concerns from important international actors and ahead of the June 5 Summit, Milatović proposed several steps to overcome the deadlock.

The first step is the adoption of laws on the Ministry of Interior and the NSA that are fully aligned with EU law and the Constitution of Montenegro. This should be followed by the return of the opposition to parliamentary committee work and the appointment of two Constitutional Court judges, which is a key step toward restoring the institution’s full functionality.

Further steps include intensifying dialogue with Croatia with a clear negotiating position to resolve outstanding bilateral issues and unblock Chapter 31, as well as establishing a National Council for EU Integration.

It is also envisaged to launch the work of the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform, including the introduction of open electoral lists, as well as defining a clear parliamentary agenda until the end of the year in line with the highest international standards, in order to ensure transparency.

The goal of these seven steps, he emphasized, is to overcome the political and institutional deadlock Montenegro is currently facing.

- Their implementation is important ahead of my visit to Cyprus. If this initiative is realized, we could announce the start of preparations for the EU accession treaty. As far as I am concerned, the meeting with party leaders could take place as early as tomorrow - Milatović underlined.

The President also said he is in intensive communication with top European officials.

- Unlike some who allegedly speak only with European Commission officials, I speak with decision-makers. That is why I proposed these seven steps. I believe no well-intentioned person in Montenegro can oppose this. Anyone who does is, in fact, against our European path. You can't join the EU from North Korea - Milatović said.

He added that the laws on the NSA and the Ministry of Interior, in a way, are turning Montenegro into North Korea.

- Ask every MP who voted for these laws whether they would have supported them if they were in the opposition. They will find themselves in opposition one day. Erything is temporary. I thought the new government would learn from the mistakes of the previous one, but that has not happened. We can organize the meeting as early as tomorrow morning if there is the will. If they are truly committed to EU integration, then I expect support for these seven steps - Milatović added.

He also announced that he will propose a constitutional amendment requiring that laws returned by the President to Parliament be adopted only by a qualified majority.

- That law should require a qualified majority to be passed - Milatović emphasized.