Thewesternbalkans
Former prime minister and current opposition leader of Montenegro, Dritan Abazovic, said in an interview that the European Commission must be more productive, get more results, and move away from “soft politics”, with hopes of a “refresh” after the June European elections.
“I think some aspects can be more concrete, with more results. I wish the best to everybody, but I think Europe can be more productive than it is now,” said Abrazivic.
Montenegro will not take part in the election of 720 representatives to the European Parliament, but it will watch the results closely as what happens in Brussels has a direct effect in the Western Balkans.
Abazovic added “It is extremely important that parties which support enlargement get more support. If we come to a situation where far-right parties will have a lot of support, this will be a bad message- we don’t want to go backwards.We need a vision for the future, more solidarity around Europe”.
On enlargement, Abazovic said that “Western Balkan integration is key as it’s not something that is a favour for us; it is investing in the security and future of Europe and of everyone who wants to see Europe like a superpower—one united Europe with all our countries.”
The former prime minister believes Montenegro is the “perfect country to revive the enlargement process of the EU, something that is in both the interests of the European Union and member states.”
Asked if he supports the incumbent President Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term, Abazovic said: “We have good cooperation with Madam von der Leyen but I think it will be good for the European Commission to have some refreshing.”
On the dialog between Serbia and Kosovo Abazovic said that “The EU should be more concrete. If we always have this kind of very soft politics, we will still be talking about the same thing in 10 or 20 years. This is a disaster because we have already lost 20 years.”
Comments: Abazovic, who leads the United Reform Action Party, affiliated with the European Greens Party, held the post of prime minister between 2022 and 2023 before losing a no-confidence vote at the end of summer 2023.
Montenegro’s accession talks began in 2015 and all negotiating chapters are open, as of February 2024, only three chapters have been closed, meaning the path to membership is long.
It is one of the region’s most pro-EU countries, with over 81% of the population supporting membership.
