Debate: - Reports on Montenegro
Date: TUESDAY, 18 MAY 2021
Speaker: Olivér Várhelyi
Language: EN

In the meantime, I travelled to the Western Balkans for the delivery of the first doses of the COVID—19 vaccines funded by the European Commission. In total, 651 000 Pfizer—BioNTech vaccines will be delivered to the region between May and August in weekly tranches. This is also thanks to the help of the Austrian Government.  The EU stands by the Western Balkans in the COVID -19 fight. Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided emergency support, including equipment, and redirected funds to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID—19 crisis. There was a particular focus on the healthcare sector, and the first vaccine deliveries will now ensure that all frontline medical workers in the region are vaccinated, as well as some other vulnerable groups. We care about our partners. Between now and August, over 42 000 doses will be delivered to Montenegro to help to accelerate the vaccination among healthcare workers and vulnerable groups. This comes on top of the vaccines Montenegro got via the COVAX Facility, where we are the top donors. Through this first EU vaccine-sharing and with COVAX, Montenegro will receive close to 130 000 doses of vaccines, and the whole Western Balkans almost a million vaccines. We have been by Montenegro’s side from the start of the pandemic. We indeed very quickly committed EUR 53 million to respond to the urgent health needs and support economic and social recovery in the country. In addition, we have approved EUR 60 million in macrofinancial assistance, and we are right now preparing to release the second tranche of EUR 30 million, expected to be released by the end of May.  We are also fully committed to rebuilding the economy. This is the purpose of the economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans, which we adopted last October. With the substantial amount of EUR 28 billion, this plan has the potential to make the Western Balkans much more attractive for investment and to change the realities on the ground for the people of the Western Balkans. The plan will strengthen infrastructure, create jobs, boost growth potential for local businesses, improve the lives of Montenegrin citizens and contribute to a more resilient future. The plan also offers a path for successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence with the EU and close the development gap between our regions, ultimately speeding up the process of EU integration.  Last but not least, as the largest provider of financial assistance and Montenegro’s main trading partner and the main investor in the country, the EU is financially involved in many ways. We are working with the Montenegro and European international financial institutions to make sure that Montenegro uses the full potential of the economic and investment plan and secures the sound investments needed for growth and recovery, while also securing serious reform commitments from Montenegro to improve its competitiveness and its public finance management. The economic and investment plan will make a real difference for the economic recovery and the economic convergence of the entire region with the EU. The Western Balkans need these investments as soon as possible. Let me stress that, to provide this support, we need the IPA III regulation in place immediately. I hope we can reach a political agreement at the trilogue planned for 2 June, confirming to the region that the EU is a credible partner.  Let me turn to the Montenegro report. First, I would like to thank Mr Picula for his work and commitment. Following the elections of last August, the country is going through a transition period. However, I am pleased that EU accession remains the top priority for the new Montenegrin Government. With the revised methodology that Montenegro has opted into and the Council has agreed to, we now have the opportunity to bring stronger political steer to the process and accelerated integration. So I look forward to holding the first ‘political’ Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro as early as next month.  Clearly, the next milestone is meeting the interim benchmarks of the rule of law, Chapters 23 and 24. Before this, no chapters will be closed. So now more results are still needed in key critical areas, such as media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as a renewed commitment to the implementation of the judicial reform. On a positive note, we have already seen the new government’s commitment in a number of crucial areas. Allow me to name just a few examples that maybe you have taken note of as well. The Montenegrin Parliament is taking steps to increase transparency and participation. But more cross-party dialogue is needed so that true progress can be made on EU-related reforms, most notably on judicial appointments. The government has also announced the phase-out of the economic citizenship scheme. This is very welcome. As regards the reform of the Prosecution Service, we welcome that, in the process of the revision of the law on the State Prosecution Service, Montenegro has twice requested the Venice Commission’s opinion. We trust Montenegro will address all the remaining issues, as highlighted in this opinion, both through legislation and through its implementation.  In conclusion, our priority now is to work with the government and its authorities to help them to translate their commitment into tangible progress on the ground, in particular in the area of the rule of law, in order to bring forward EU-related reforms without reversing earlier accomplishments.