UPDATE: The Cabinet of Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović has just issued a strong response to recent allegations questioning his commitment to European Union (EU) integration. In a statement released earlier today, officials dismissed claims made in an article titled “2026 – either you are or you aren’t,” which accused Milatović of signing EU agenda laws under pressure from Brussels.
The Cabinet argues that these assertions distort the reality of Montenegro’s path toward EU membership, specifically ahead of the crucial June 2024 EU-Western Balkans Summit set to be hosted in Montenegro. They emphasized that Milatović is recognized both domestically and in Brussels as the primary advocate for EU values, with a goal of making Montenegro the 28th member of the EU by 2028.
In their rebuttal, the Cabinet condemned the publication, Pobjeda, for perpetuating what they termed a “spun narrative” of Milatović as a hindrance to EU integration. They asserted that the article effectively calls for unifying pro-European forces to meet EU benchmarks, particularly concerning chapters 23 and 24 of the accession criteria. However, they criticized the lack of acknowledgment regarding ongoing delays in appointing judges to the Constitutional Court, a significant hurdle on Montenegro’s EU path.
The statement highlighted a pressing deadline: February 10, 2024, when the Parliament is expected to vote again on the appointment of judge candidate Predrag Krstonijević. Failure to select him, who faces no credible opposition according to public and parliamentary opinion, would further jeopardize Montenegro’s EU aspirations.
Additionally, the Cabinet called attention to the opposition DPS (Democratic Party of Socialists) and their historical role in obstructing progress. They urged the public to question the legitimacy of the DPS’s leadership, particularly considering their ties to past corruption scandals that have hindered Montenegro’s EU progress.
In closing, the Cabinet reaffirmed President Milatović’s position as a key player in advancing Montenegro’s EU processes, stressing that this commitment will not come at the expense of undermining vital European values or the well-being of Montenegrin citizens.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the February parliamentary session, which could define the trajectory of Montenegro’s EU integration efforts. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story.
