Video message from Ambassador Sattler ahead of key decisions in the Parliament of Montenegro related to EU accession
Danas, kada se Crna Gora nalazi u presudnom trenutku svog evropskog puta, imam važnu poruku za građane Crne Gore i njihove političke predstavnike.
Crna Gora ima stvarnu priliku da u kratkom roku završi pristupne pregovore sa Evropskom unijom i postane njena sljedeća članica, što su potvrdili i lideri Evropske unije na Samitu u Tivtu.
Ostvarenje te prilike zavisi, prije svega, od sposobnosti Skupštine da prije ljetnje pauze obezbijedi dvotrećinsku većinu za ključne odluke neophodne u procesu pristupanja. To uključuje ustavne amandmane povezane sa evropskim integracijama, izbor preostalih sudija Ustavnog suda, imenovanje članova Sudskog savjeta i usvajanje preostalog izbornog zakonodavstva.
Ovo nijesu rutinska glasanja. Riječ je o ključnim odlukama koje će odrediti da li Crna Gora može da završi svoj evropski put dok traje trenutna istorijska prilika. Ove promjene znače izgradnju snažnih i nezavisnih institucija koje će biti u stanju da štite prava i interese građana na istom nivou kao i u ostatku Evrope.
Zato pozivam sve proevropske političke snage, širom političkog spektra, da u Skupštini podrže ove odluke.
Podrška ovim reformama nije pitanje partijskog interesa. To je pitanje pokazivanja stvarne posvećenosti evropskoj budućnosti Crne Gore – djelima, a ne samo riječima.
Pristupanje Crne Gore Evropskoj uniji oduvijek je bilo nacionalni projekat, koji se gradio četrnaest godina uz doprinos brojnih političkih aktera. Da bi se taj projekat sada uspješno priveo kraju, potreban je isti osjećaj zajedničke odgovornosti.
Istovremeno, ovo je trenutak u kojem Crna Gora mora pokazati i otpornost. Zemlja mora ostati usmjerena na svoj strateški cilj i oduprijeti se uticajima spolja koji bi željeli da uspore ili zaustave njen evropski put.
Ulog je jasan: nije riječ samo o dinamici pristupanja Evropskoj uniji, već i o kvalitetu života građana Crne Gore. Reforme koje su pred Skupštinom znače snažnije institucije, nezavisnije pravosuđe, poštenije izbore i stabilniji demokratski sistem – uslove koji neposredno doprinose prosperitetu i jačanju povjerenja građana u javne institucije. Ove reforme odražavaju najbolje evropske prakse i pružaju čvrste garancije za vrijednosti na kojima počivaju demokratski standardi Evropske unije.
Parlamentarni izbori će doći, a politička utakmica će se nastaviti. Ali u sedmicama koje su pred nama, Crna Gora ima drugačiju odgovornost – da djeluje zajedno u interesu države.
Vrijeme za odluku je sada. Odgovornost je zajednička. A zajednički će biti i uspjeh.
Today, as Montenegro stands at a defining moment on its European path, I have an important message for the citizens of Montenegro and their political representatives.
Montenegro has a real opportunity to complete its EU accession negotiations swiftly and to move to become the next member of the EU, as confirmed by the EU leaders at the recent Tivat Summit.
This opportunity depends, first and foremost, on Parliament's ability to secure a two-thirds majority for the key decisions required for the accession process before the summer recess. These include EU-related constitutional amendments, the appointment of the remaining judges to the Constitutional Court, the appointment of members of the Judicial Council, and the adoption of the remaining electoral legislation.
These are not routine votes. They are essential decisions that will determine whether Montenegro can complete its European path within the current historic window. These changes are about building strong, independent institutions in Montenegro that are able to protect the rights and the interests of the citizens at the same level as in the rest of Europe.
That is why I’m calling on all pro-European political forces, across the political spectrum, to support these decisions in Parliament.
Support for these reforms is not about party advantage. It is about showing commitment to Montenegro’s European future in practice, not only in words.
Montenegro’s accession to the European Union has always been a national project, built over fourteen years with contributions from many different political actors. Completing it now requires the same sense of shared responsibility.
At the same time, this is a moment where Montenegro must also show resilience. The country must remain focused on its strategic goal and resist the influence of external factors that would prefer to see Montenegro slow down or fail on its European path.
What is at stake is clear: not only the pace of EU accession, but a quality of life of Montenegro’s citizens. The reforms before Parliament are about strong institutions, a more independent judiciary, fairer elections and a more stable democratic system – conditions that directly support prosperity and trust in public life. These reforms reflect European best practice and provide solid safeguards for the values underpinning EU democratic standards.
Parliamentary elections will come, and political competition obviously will continue. But in the coming weeks, Montenegro faces a different kind of responsibility – to act together in the national interest.
The time to decide is now. The responsibility is shared. And so will be the success.