“The rise of nationalism, the strengthening of right-wing parties, the
weakening of democracy, even without clear indications that something more significant could happen in the near future in terms of democratization and Europeanization of any of the countries, deep political crises in most of the countries of the Western Balkans, are serious reasons for concern,” said Ms. Jovana Marovic, Former Deputy Prime Minister and European Affairs Minister, in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News.
The former PM did not think that 2023 will bring important developments, and especially not earthquakes either on the political scene, in integration, nor in regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. “It would be also good for the political elites in the Western Balkans to understand the seriousness of the moment and contribute to moving the region from a standstill.”
Touching upon the mass migration of citizens of Albania and other WB countries to EU countries, Ms. Marovic was of the opinion that democratization is the solution to these problems and all parts of Montenegro are affected, while the north is still less developed compared to the southern and central parts.
Asked about her expectations for 2023 in terms of Montenegro’s EU accession process, she said the EU accession process is currently blocked, although a certain deadlock has existed for several years. “The key institutions in the judiciary are incomplete while the appointment of key persons in this branch by the parliament has not been possible for a long period of time.”
The war in Ukraine has, to a certain extent, forced the EU to take some steps related to the countries of the Western Balkans, said former Montenegrin PM. “In this way, one gets the impression that the EU’s approach has changed and that the perspective of EU membership for the region is more promising. However, this is still not the case,” she said.
“The energy and economic crisis, the war in Ukraine and the strengthening of democracy in Europe will be key events and trends in 2023 as well,” said Former Deputy Prime Minister and European Affairs Minister Jovana Marovic in the following interview:
Albanian Daily New: Ms. Marovic, how do you assess the current situation in the Western Balkans region, part of which is Montenegro? Do you think that 2023 will bring about developments which might further jeopardize peace and stability in the region? There have been grave events in northern Kosovo. Which is the perspective of the settlement of the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia?
Former PM of Montenegro Jovana Marovic: 2022 did not bring us the necessary stabilization in the Western Balkans, despite certain important EU decisions regarding its integration. The rise of nationalism, the strengthening of right-wing parties, the weakening of democracy, even without clear indications that something more significant could happen in the near future in terms of democratization and Europeanization of any of the countries, deep political crises in most of the countries, are serious reasons for concern.
There is no progress in solving bilateral disputes, and some of them are holding back the entire region. I don’t think that 2023 will bring us important developments, and especially not earthquakes either on the political scene, in integration, nor in regional cooperation. It would be good for the Berlin Process to introduce some more concrete initiatives and benefits for the citizens of the Western Balkans; for the agreements within the Common Regional Market to be ratified in all parliaments already in the first half of the year; for the EU to come out with concrete steps and roadmaps for the integration of each of the countries.
It would be also good for the political elites in the Western Balkans to understand the seriousness of the moment and contribute to moving the region from a standstill.
-What is your opinion on the mass migration of citizens of Albania and other countries to EU countries? Albania is losing the youngest part of the population. How dangerous is this for the future of the country? As a follow up, what can you say about this social wound in Montenegro? Which part of the country are mostly hit by this mass migration?
-These are trends that are faced by much more developed countries than ours, due to the search for better living conditions and new opportunities which are arising due to the EU programs and opportunities increasing with each stage in integration. All the countries of the Western Balkans face this to a greater or lesser extent, and with the eventual EU membership, these trends will be even more evident.
However, with the integration and democratization, new opportunities are also arising in the Western Balkan countries, markets are becoming more competitive, EU funds are larger, and working conditions are better. Therefore, democratization is the solution to these problems as well. All parts of Montenegro are affected, while the north it is still less developed compared to the southern and central parts.
-What can you say about the general situation in Montenegro? Which are your expectations for 2023 in terms of the EU accession process?
-The EU accession process is currently blocked, although a certain deadlock has existed for several years. The key institutions in the judiciary are incomplete while the appointment of key persons in this branch by the parliament has not been possible for a long period of time. Therefore, all the reform attempts to unblock the process must start from this and, in order to achieve the necessary changes, all the political parties must reach an agreement regarding the key priorities in the European Integration Process. There must be a broad consensus on the EU membership since it is supported by 78% of the Montenegrin citizens.
-The Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed even the perspective of the WB. Do you think that war in Ukraine and its repercussions should be followed by faster steps by Brussels for the integration of the region in the EU?
-The war in Ukraine has, to a certain extent, forced the EU to take some steps related to the countries of the Western Balkans, which it should have taken a long time ago. In this way, one gets the impression that the EU’s approach has changed and that the perspective of EU membership for the region is more promising. However, this is still not the case.
A large number of parallel initiatives, deficient application and development of instruments from the new enlargement methodology, slow reactions on the situations in the WB countries, unclear vision for integration of the region, indicate that the EU is not aware in which direction it should change its approach and strengthen democracy in the Western Balkans. It is certain that it should provide more concrete benefits for the WB citizens and secure integration of the countries into certain EU policies as soon as possible.
-Let me touch upon the economy. In your view, which is the perspective for 2023 given that the energy crisis has become the main concern? Ms. Marovic, how do you see the global situation in the world and which might be some of the main developments in 2023?
-This was an inevitable consequence of the war and the fact that most countries in the region depend on Russian gas. Of course, this also applies to other branches of the economy. The EU is doing everything possible to repair the consequences, and it is important that, in these efforts, it has not forgotten the Western Balkans, especially with the reallocation of the funds for 2023 in order to fix a damage caused by the energy crisis.
However, a lot of additional measures and funds will be needed in the upcoming period. The energy and economic crisis, the war in Ukraine and the strengthening of democracy in Europe will be key events and trends in 2023 as well.
Source: Albania Daily News