European pulse E l e c t r o n i c m o n t h l y m a g a z i n e f o r E u r o p e a n i n t e g r a t i o n - N o . 4 1 , F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 9

AANNAALLYYSSEESS The blockade of Montenegro's application in the Council of EU spells trouble for \ukanovi}'s cabinet

IINNTTEERRVVIIEEWW Prof. dr Tanja Mi{~evi}

DDOOCCUUMMEENNTTSS How the government prepares for EC questionnaire FFOOCCUUSS OOFF TTHHIISS IISSSSUUEE How close is Montenegro to the white Schengen list F o r e w o r d / C a l e n d a r F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 9

Netherlands ratified the SAA (29 January) - The Dutch Parliament has ratified the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between Montenegro and EU. The Netherlands is the thirteenth EU member to have ratified Montenegro's SAA.

Poland gives a green light to SAA (6 February) - Poland ratified the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Montenegro and EU.

Scanning the Roadmap (9 February) - European Commission experts visited Podgorica and examined the situation with regard to the implementation of requirements of the Roadmap for visa liberalisation regarding personal documents. On 22 February another group of experts should visit Podgorica with the task of PPRROOXXIIMMIITTYY studying the final two blocks of the Roadmap - public security and basic rights. roximity is a relative notion. The same Twinning project unveiled (12 February) - A Twinning project on legal harmon- Pthing may be close for some, distant for isation of Montenegro's administration and institutions with EU standards was others. For the taste of most citizens of EU the presented in Podgorica. The project, worth 1.1 million euros, is financed by EU. Western Balkans drew a tat too close, while In the course of 21 months some 50 experts from Slovenia will be transferring on this side we should realise how far we are their knowledge to the employees of the Secretariat for European Integrations, still from European values. Secretariat for Legislation, Parliament and ministries. The leader of the project on Recently the Czech Foreign Affairs behalf of the Slovenian government, Andrej Engelman said that twinning is a "uni- Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said the fied system" beginning with in the ministry with an employee drafting a law and Council of Ministers of EU was "nearing con- sensus" on the issue of asking the European ending in the parliament. "This whole system ought to work in the same tune, Commission to create a Questionnaire for according to the same laws". Montenegro. "Nearing consensus" means that at least Emphasis on administrative capacities (18 February) - The temporary EC one EU member state doesn't support Committee and representatives of Montenegro met in the context of the Montenegro's application. Serbia's road to Enhanced Permanent Dialogue on transportation, energy, environment and EU has been obstructed for years by a sin- gle member state - the Netherlands, which regional policy. The official announcement stated that the meeting was focused is why Belgrade is always close, but never on legal harmonisation and development of administrative capacities in these close enough to catching up with areas. Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. Expectations that our application will An obstacle to application (19 February) - Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and land on the table of the Council of Ministers already in March or a little later should thus Spain vetoed the scheduling of discussion on Montenegro's membership applica- be met with moderate optimism. tion on the agenda of the Council of Ministers. Most other member states believe It is a fact that during January and this is a "technical, not political" issue, and that the Council ought to simply order February four EU member states refused the Commission to create a Questionnaire for Montenegro, like it was the case Montenegro's bid. The key reason was prob- with all other countries before. However, Germany is opposing the move, insist- ably that the authorities in Germany, ing that Montenegro did not make enough progress in the key reform areas and Netherlands, Belgium and Spain are fearing the public reaction to any sign of further EU fearing that another move of Podgorica towards integration could sprout a wave enlargement and pursuing their own inter- of applications from the Western Balkans. Netherlands and Belgium believe that ests, unrelated and unknown to us. Montenegro did not do enough in fighting corruption, and The Hague does not On the other hand, they can always want risk being accused for double standards because of its unswerving stance boast loudly that in fact they are opposing towards Serbia's integration process. any further advances by Montenegro since its authorities are not working hard enough on eradicating crime and corruption. There's still hope (23 February) - EU is What is worrying in the whole applica- close to a consensus to give EC a man- tion story is the prospect of Montenegro date to evaluate Montenegro's readiness being rooted to the spot (close to or far away to become a candidate, said Karel from EU) for entire 12 months should the Schwarzenberg, foreign affairs minister of Council of Minister refuse to ask the Commission to submit the Questionnaire in the Czech Republic after the meeting of the next two months. the Council of Ministers in Brussels. Then comes June with the elections for Schwarzenberg, whose country will be the European Parliament, reconstituting the presiding over the EU until June said he Commission, summer holidays... did not rule out the option that the The Questionnaire could arrive only in Council of Ministers would adopt positive the end of the year, although we submitted the application on 15 December last year. decision already at the next meeting, on And that's far. V.@. 16 March. Karel Schwarzenberg

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//////// however, the accession process of the Like some former communist member Western Balkan countries is likely to countries, Turkey lacks a tradition of drag until 2020 and even beyond. freedom, democracy, political compro- etween 1995 That should suit everybody. Both the mise and the rule of law. Its record of Band 2007 the EU and the Balkan countries will need human rights is anything but convinc- EU has almost a lot of time to fully prepare. ing. The military continue to have big- doubled its The EU will have to digest the ger political role than in any EU coun- membership, Lisbon Treaty, which is a "sine qua try, despite many efforts to rein them from 15 to 27 non" for any additional membership. in. Last not least, Turkish troops con- members, And its success is by no means tinue to illegally occupy northern by Eberhard Rhein assured: what are all the new functions Cyprus, which the EU considers its ter- really supposed to be, like the ritory, though EU legislation does not accepting more new member states "President of the European Council"? apply there. than ever before within a very short Will he have political authority or be Similar considerations apply to time span. no more than a Secretary General with Ukraine and the three Caucasus coun- Unfortunately, this rapid expan- a more pompous name? Will the "High tries, whose relations with the EU are sion has not been preceded by the Representative" be strong enough to much weaker than Turkey's. necessary strengthening of its institu- shape an EU foreign policy that With all this in mind, the EU tional functioning, in particular its deserves this name, against opposition would be well advised to refrain from decision making capacity. Since 2004, from big member states? Will the enlarging beyond the countries of the the EU has found it even more diffi- cult and time-consuming to arrive at The way things stand right now, the accession process of the the necessary compromises between Western Balkan countries is likely to drag until 2020 and beyond. increasingly diverging interests of That should suit everybody. Both the EU and the Balkan countries member states. The addition of 12 will need a lot of time to fully prepare new has only superficially strengthened the EU. Every new member state, small Council make it a habit of voting on Western Balkans and reaching east- or big, enhances EU diversity, which is all Commission proposals? Will the ward beyond the Bulgarian and an enrichment but also a burden. Commission be more effective in Rumanian Black Sea beaches. Enlargement therefore has a price, "leading" the EU, with its membership History shows again and again which we have tended to ignore in the due to reach 34 after the completion how armies and empires have per- post - 1989 euphoria of European re- of the Balkan enlargement? ished due to over-expansion and unification. So far it has hardly led to Since 2005, the EU is also nego- weakening links between the Centre the hoped for strengthening of the EU. tiating on Turkish accession. It does so and the Periphery. The EU should Still, the EU continues enlarging as without much zeal, as the uneven draw the appropriate lessons. Its pres- if it had not learned much from the progress of the Turkish and Croatian ent size enables it to play a much big- experience of the last two waves. It negotiations shows. It has opened only ger role in the world; provided it has offered the seven countries of the half of the more than 30 chapters and starts effectively bundling its forces. As Western Balkan, two of which can provisionally closed one. Cypriot and long as member states are unwilling to hardly be considered full-fledged sta- French opposition have prevented strengthen the EU at the expense of ble states, a "European perspective". negotiations from progressing faster. their own powers, the "acquisition" of With Croatia, negotiations have Turkey would have to wait well more territory is likely to weaken the been under way for three years, and after 2020, and possibly after another EU, which cannot be in Europe's there is hope they might be conclud- Treaty change, before it might eventu- interest. ed by the end of 2009. EU has grant- ally join. ed Macedonia a status of "candidate Turkey is a "big fish" for the EU, in The author is a senior analyst in country". Montenegro has filed its for- terms historical and cultural baggage. If the European Policy Centre in Brussels mal request for membership in it ever joins EU, it would the biggest and the former Director for the December 2008. country population-wise and accord- Mediterranean, Near and Middle East The way things stand right now, ingly claim an adequate say and status. at the European Commission

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vice chairmen of the European o h p an you ima- Commission Franco Frattini in the Cgine yourself beginning of negotiations on the liber- in a few months alisation of the visa regime, in travelling to 22 February 2008. European Union The second, less favourable sce- countries, Norway nario will be that the visa requirement will be lifted for Montenegro in the second round, in early 2010, together by Danilo Mihajlovi} with Serbia. and Iceland with only a passport in your One should bear in mind that the pocket? process of visa liberalisation is a deeply There is no guarantee that the citi- political, and not only technical issue, as zens of Montenegro will soon be able to the EU officials would like to present it. travel to the countries of the Schengen Technically speaking, the zone without visas, but it seems our Commission registers the extent to country has already covered a good part which each of the countries fulfilled the of the Roadmap and that this may not requirements and proposes to the Montenegrin passport be impossible after all. Council of Ministers of Justice and Unofficial sources suggest that Home Affairs the countries that can be worry that some 100 000 citizens of Montenegro could be put on a proba- moved to the white Schengen list. Montenegro, who by the rough esti- tionary white Schengen list by the sec- The Council adopts the decision mates of the authorities are in possession ond half of 2009 for a period of six unanimously, which means it is possible of either the old or the new passport will months during which the European for any one of 27 EU members to veto invade the European labour market. It is Commission would supervise the placing Montenegro's on the white list. clear that Montenegro is currently in a process. On the other hand, the EC itself is very sensitive position and that both According to the first reports of the not immune to politics. One should custom authority and other public European Commission, only Macedonia therefore not rule out the possibility of organs responsible for border control progressed further than Montenegro in the EC turning a blind eye to some par- must keep their eyes wide open. the fulfilment of the requirements from tial progress of Montenegro with regard Any larger illegal transport that hap- the Roadmap, a document in which the to the Roadmap, in order to "compen- pens to pass through the Montenegrin EC stipulates all the steps to be taken by sate" for the blockade of its application border and is caught in Italy or Croatia the West Balkans countries in order to for the candidate status. would draw us further from the white achieve visa liberalisation. Besides, the EU has no reason to Schengen. The Roadmap is divided into four areas - document security, illegal migra- VVIISSAA--FFRREEEE RREEGGIIMMEE AASS MMAANNIIPPUULLAATTIIOONN tion, including readmission, public order epresentatives of the ruling coalition often speculated with the date of lib- and security and foreign relations and Reralisation of the visa regime. During the campaign for elections on 6 April basic rights. 2008 the now President Filip Vujanovi} promised the citizens of Montenegro There are no negotiations between visa-free travel to the countries of European Union by the end of 2008, and the national governments and Brussels just before the end of the same year Minister of Interior Jusuf Kalamperovi} about the terms of this document. The suggested that the fateful day was just around the corner. Commission simply estimates whether At the moment, representatives of the ruling coalition are curiously silent the national authorities have fulfilled all about progress towards the white Schengen list, although the upcoming parlia- the requirements. mentary elections offer plenty of opportunity to collect another few political The first two groups of EC experts points with the same promise. evaluated the progress in the first two

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 1 4 F o c u s o f t h i s i s s u e F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 9 I T S E

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p develop cooperation and information exchange with the relevant international bodies dealing with drug trafficking, adopt and implement legislation on the prevention and eradication of corruption in line with the Action plan for the fight against corruption, implement the rele- vant UN and CoE conventions as well as recommendations of GRECO and other international standards in above areas, as well as those regarding fight against ter- rorism. Compared to the European Commission report on the progress of Montenegro, the commitments related to the adoption of acquis communau- taire will not be an obstacle for [turanovi}, Ro}en, Fratini, Kalamperovi} Montenegro for reaching the white Schengen list. areas last year and, according to the Montenegro in order to evaluate its According to this document that the unofficial sources, produced a rather progress in these key areas. European Commission is sure to use positive report on Montenegro. Their report will be ready in April, when deciding on Montenegro's pre- However, whoever went to get new and will probably be decisive for the paredness, the problems are likely to documents could predict that the EC future of visa liberalisation between arise when Brussels arrives at the word experts will have positive things to say Montenegro and EU. "implement" which is often mentioned in about the first block of requirements. In the Roadmap, Brussels asked for the Roadmap. This is easily the only task that is being efficient implementation of the action In some key areas, such as money done practically impeccably by plan and strategy for the fight against laundering, corruption and crime, fight Montenegrin public administration, and corruption and organised crime (espe- against terrorism, European Commission the documents were made according to cially its cross-border aspects), and in noted progress, but also the lack of will all standards that rule out any possibility this context emphasised the strengthen- to implement the existing laws and of falsification. ing of law-enforcement bodies, both mechanisms. By the end of October 2008 some 60 000 biometric documents were European Commission is not immune to politics. One should there- issued. fore not rule out the possibility of the EC turning a blind eye to As for the second area, even before some partial progress of Montenegro with regard to the Roadmap, it got the Roadmap Montenegro signed in order to compensate for the blockade of its application for can- readmission agreements with most EU didate status members. As few persons left its territory ille- financially and in terms of personnel. With regard to organised crime, EC gally during the 1990s to go to one of Montenegro also has to implement reminds that all relevant action plans the EU countries the implementation of its national anti-trafficking strategy, adopt have been adopted, international coop- these agreements went more or less and ensure smooth implementation of eration improved, but that administrative smoothly. legislation related to money laundering, and judicial capacities to deal with these The biggest headache for Monte- with adequate monitoring of all financial issue "remain limited". negrin authorities, as already noticed in transactions, including those related to "A multi-institutional centre for the the course of submission of the real estate and inward investment, and exchange of information between differ- Roadmap, will be some of the parts of strengthen the Directorate for the ent institutions, in order to establish an the third chapter, where the Commission Prevention of Money Laundering. integrated database is still lacking", will assess the progress in eradicating In addition to this, the country reminds EC. money laundering, crime and corrup- should implement the national strategy Although it was supposed to be tion, focusing on cross-border activities. and action plan for drug prevention, adopted in 2008, there is still no sign of Recently two groups of experts from made available information on the a strategy for the fight against terrorism, the European Commission visited amounts of confiscated drugs and per- and the representatives of the Ministry of

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Interior Affairs and Public Administration, "Transit and smuggling of drugs, Montenegro's efforts are still insufficient Police Authority and Agency for National especially when conducted by organised and must be improved. Security who are jointly responsible for it crime, remains a reason for concern", "The legal framework must be com- shift the blame from one to the other. warns the EC. pleted with necessary secondary acts", As for drugs, the Government still The Government reports submitted said EC in the Progress Report. hasn't established a national office for to the Commission last December In this document, dated November drugs prevention, nor has it adopted a emphasises that prosecution has been 2008, the EC deems the capacities of relevant strategy for dealing with this intensifying cooperation with EUROJUST, the police and prosecution for investi- issue. which is another obligation from the gating cases of money laundering insuf- It has, however, compiled and Roadmap. Basic court prosecutor from ficient, and warns that few such cases delivered to the Commission information Kotor, Boris Savi}, is the contact person have been submitted to the prosecutor on the amount of confiscated narcotics for cooperation with this institution. by the police. and persons involved in drug smuggling In its report to Brussels in late 2008 In the Progress Report the EC says available at the border crossings, as well the Government states that much has that the government has adopted impor- as information on international coopera- been done about money laundering, but tant international strategies related to the tion in this field. the European Commission warns that fight against corruption and augmented resources of the Anti-Corruption Agency. However, they insist that strong and UNPOPULAR MEASURES independent monitoring and auditing UNPOPULAR MEASURES bodies are still lacking that would eval- uate statements on property and financ- SSTTIILLLL UUNNIIMMPPLLEEMMEENNTTEEDD ing of political parties and monitor pri- vatisation, public procurement and state ccording to the Roadmap, Podgorica is obliged to adopt and implement budget. relevant legislation on confiscation of the property of criminals (including A Montenegro should have no prob- regulations on cross-border crime) lems with the fourth block of the Montenegrin officials have repeatedly emphasised that such confiscation Roadmap dealing with relations to the has been defined by the Criminal Codex. neighbours, but the part on basic rights There is no public information on whether the authorities have to date and minorities may cause some concern. confiscated any luxury houses or automobiles of people who have been found The report to European Com- to be on the other side of the law. mission the Government reminds that in Based on what Montenegro achieved so far in implementing the require- the course of last year it has adopted ments from the Roadmap the Commission will present its own evaluation, bearing in mind the inter-alia criteria - the percentage of visa applications Strategy of minority policy for the peri- refused and the percentage of refused entries to Montenegrin citizens on the od 2008-2018. common Schengen borders. There should be a diminishing tendency in the Representatives of the national number of refused visa application. The indicative reference will be 3% of visa councils of minorities have recently applications refused, with a maximum of 1 000 refused entries to the Schengen accused the government of violating zone per year. Montenegro should also undertake the necessary measures to Constitutional norms related to their ensure efficient implementation of common objectives regarding prohibition of representation in the Parliament. They travel. As has been mentioned before, the Commission will use these indica- warned that the upcoming parliamentary tors to suggest to the Council of EU to lift the visa requirement for Montenegrin elections scheduled for 29 March will be citizens travelling to EU, by amending the Council Regulation 539/2001 and unconstitutional if they take place following the procedure from the EC2 Agreement for these matters. Upon the according to the existing regulations. Commission's proposal, and after consulting the European Parliament, the The Government has still not Council will decide on the matter based on qualified majority vote. Such an adopted the law prohibiting discrimina- amendment could soon encompass all bearers of travel documents that com- tion, which is another obligation from ply with the ICAO and EC requirements. the Roadmap. In its first report, in the block related to public order and security, EC Should the European Commission warns against insufficient cooperation between the relevant institutions as well suggest lifting the visa requirement for as the lack of investigative and operative capacities which represent a serious Montenegro in the next two to three obstacle to efficient implementation of the laws. months, it will be one of the best things "Further efforts are needed to develop legislative framework...Also, there that happened to us in years. It will also should be greater efforts to ensure adequate functioning of the system", states mean that they're turning a blind eye. the chapter on the free movement of citizens, as well as to guarantee access to ID and travel documents for all citizens, displaced persons and refuges, laws The author is a journalist of the preventing discrimination and minority protection. daily newspaper "Vijesti"

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T H E B L O C K A D E O F M O N T E N E G R O ' S A P P L I C A T I O N I N T H E C O U N C I L O F E U S P E L L S T R O U B L E F O R T H E M O N T E N E G R I N G O V E R N M E N T Cbuumf!po!uxp!gspout //////// have a substantial debate on whether the EU countries, for all decisions in the country is really ready to acquire candidate Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers of EU status", Said Mila~i}. are adopted unanimously. or the next Given the current situation, it is dis- France's position has changed striking- Fmonth, the putable whether everything will go as ly in the last few months. Once the most Montenegrin usual, with the Council of EU asking the reserved country in the matters regarding Government will Commission for the Questionnaire within a Montenegro, it has turned, according to be fighting two few months after the submission of appli- unofficial sources, into an active advocate battles simultane- cation. for processing Montenegro's application in ously - at home It was already clear that the things the Council of Ministers. may not be as smooth as that when, at the The reasons for such a move on the by Ne|eljko Rudovi} meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on part of Paris can again be found in the 27 January the Council refused the Czech broader context - if it goes through and in the EU. Afterwards, it can focus all presidency's proposal to put Montenegro's Montenegro's application now, the EU will of its efforts on the EU, with dubious application on the agenda. not see the applications of Albania and chances to convince every EU member Most vociferous were the Germans, Serbia, expected some time in mid-2009 state to accept further processing of who suggested that this could also encour- piling up on its table as well. If it waits to Montenegro's bid to become a candidate age Serbia and Albania to submit their own discuss all three applications at the same for EU membership. And while it is currently facing the The attempt of \ukanovi}'s cabinet to "unfreeze" application is not refusal of four EU members to accept likely to be successful if they continue wasting energy on persuad- application and forward it to the European ing the domestic public that everything is all right. Instead, just Commission to create a Questionnaire, and like they did with Paris in December last year, they should now lobbying Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain to change their minds, at home focus their efforts to convince Berlin, Hague, Brussels and Madrid the Government is trying to convince the public that there is no blockade. Those applications. They feared that this might time, it may run a greater risk of negative were the categorical words of the head of strengthen the opposition vote to further responses across the European public to Montenegrin diplomacy Milan Ro}en and enlargement in their national constituen- what they might perceive to be another the deputy head of the Government Dr cies, and thus undermine the position of wave of EU enlargement. Gordana \urovi}, who maintained that their own government. The situation is all It seems that such "waves" of new everything was going as planned, but the more precarious in Berlin in light of members are not something the EU can refrained from prognoses as to the exact the upcoming September elections. digest any more. Ever since May 2004 date when Montenegro will get the green The next most committed opponent to when ten new members from East Central light to proceed. In expectance of the 29 placing Montenegro's application on the Europe joined its ranks, the EU has had to March parliamentary elections, such moves agenda of this meeting was the Netherlands. weather the internal difficulties. Angry that on the part of the government representa- The Hague has already firmly opposed the nobody asked them about the enlarge- tives can be understood as a part of the signing of the Stabilisation and Association ment, the citizens of "old" EU vented their campaign, intended to create the image of Agreement (SAA) between EU and Serbia, discontent at referendums on the internal a Government that controls every lever of arguing that the most important reforms are transformation of EU (France, Netherlands its European agenda. still lacking, which is why Serbia has been 2005), feeling that their voice is not lis- On the other hand, the head of the unable to arrest Ratko Mladi} and deliver tened to properly. This at least a part of Montenegro's Mission to Brussels Slavica him to the war crimes tribunal. They would explanation for the failure of the first EU Mila~i} practically confirms that the appli- not want to be accused for any double constitution. cation is currently blocked. standards in the Western Balkans and thus The attempt of \ukanovi}'s cabinet "A number of countries believe that at they maintain the same unyielding stance to "unfreeze" application is not likely to be the moment discussing Montenegro's towards Montenegro, judging that Podgorica successful if he continues wasting energy application would be a political issue. So did not do enough to combat crime and on trying to convince the domestic public far, it was only a technical matter of the corruption. that everything is all right. Instead, just like Council of EU asking the Commission to Their position is supported by Spain they did with Paris in December last year, prepare the Questionnaire and give an and Belgium, and if Montenegro wants to they should now turn their efforts to con- opinion. Only after the EC produces a get its application procedure moving, it vincing Berlin, Hague, Brussels and positive opinion the Council of EU would will have to focus its efforts on these four Madrid.

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D R T A N J A M I [ ] E V I ] , P R O F E S S O R A T T H E F A C U L T Y O F P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E I N B E L G R A D E Xf!tipvme!opu!xbju!voujm FV!tpmwft!jut!qspcmfnt I T

rof Dr Tanja Mi{~evi}, former S E J I V

head of the Office of EU inte- o P t o h gration in the Government of Serbia p and one of the most acclaimed experts on the European integration process in the Western Balkans said there was no reason to be put off by the delay of Montenegro's appli- cation. "This is nothing unusual. I don't know many applications that were considered within a month or two after they were submitted, especial- ly since Montenegro submitted its application just before the change of EU presidency. There is always disagreement among the members whether to begin the procedure or leave it for later", says Mi{~evi} in the interview for the European Tanja Mi{~evi} Pulse. According to her, the Czech agenda of the Council of Ministers, Balkan countries. presidency is willing to put the and also to discuss speeding up the "Such decisions in the EU Montenegrin application on the process of integration of the West require a consensus between 27 member states. At the moment, there is no such consensus and no CCRRIISSEESS HHAAVVEE MMAADDEE EEUU SSTTRROONNGGEERR indication that it will be achieved soon, but I do not believe we When will EU turn to the Western Balkans again? should be put off by it. In my opin- As soon as the Treaty of Lisbon is ratified. We will receive what they call the "renewed approval" that will set integrations into motion. ion, everything is going as usual at At least this was the practice throughout EU's history. Every crisis was fol- the moment. We will have to wait lowed by deeper and closer cooperation between the member states. and see how it develops further", I expect this moment to come in the second half of this year. That would Mi{~evi} said. be the best case scenario. There is also the worst case scenario, which is that What consequences could the Irish might say "no" again. I don't think this will be the case, however. the blockade of Montenegro's Latest opinion polls show that a majority of Irish citizens will vote in favour of application have for Montenegro the Treaty. and for the Western Balkans? Do you agree that the worst possible scenario for the Western Balkans I would say that becoming a would be to remain stuck between an EU which is tired of enlargements and candidate country is the most the regional political elites which are not ready for profound reforms? This is indeed the biggest danger. important step for a country. This is the beginning of serious reforms,

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 1 8 I n t e r v i e w F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 9 I opening the questions T We should not S E J I V

that have remained however, and here I

o t o close so far, this is h mean the entire region, p when we reach the wait for the EU to get point of no return. For back on its feet. our region, every day, A region or a coun- indeed every year, lost try that aspires to in this process is a become a part of the problem. EU must understand Opposition in that only by acting Montenegro believes responsibly, i.e. by ful- that one of the reasons filling its obligations it for blocking the appli- can become a serious cation is that the gov- partner for EU. ernment, ever since it With the elec- submitted the applica- tions for the European tion, did show a single Parliament coming up sign of readiness to in June, in case the engage in key reforms. application is not con- What is your opinion? sidered by the Council I think there's a bit of Ministers in the next of everything to it. two months, will The question of Montenegro have to enlargement is at the wait for the Swedish moment not the most presidency? welcome one in the We will be running EU. There is still some into a trap if we try to fatigue left over from is over. justify this with the the previous enlargement and There is a serious fear of elections and the global economic before the EU could recover it ran unemployment in the EU, and it crisis. One should look at these into a major financial crisis, and we breeds opposition to the accession things in technical terms. still don't know whether the worst of new countries. In this phase of the accession the role of the European Parliament is perfectly marginal. Everything TTHHEE YYEEAARR OOFF VVIISSAA LLIIBBEERRAALLIISSAATTIIOONN depends on the Council of Could a slowdown in EU integration of the Western Balkan be com- Ministers and the European pensated by moving some of these countries to the white Schengen list even Commission. before they fulfil the requirements from the Roadmap? But the elections for the I don't think that is possible. European Parliament mean the new The question of moving to the white Schengen list is absolutely a techni- composition of the Commission? cal question. You will get as much as you have earned. This will not prevent the Do you know whether the Commission has been satisfied with the Commission, in case it receives the progress of some of the West Balkan countries towards liberalisation of the visa request from the Council of regime? Ministers, to start working on the As far as I know, they are quite satisfied. Much has been done. What is still left to evaluate is the implementation of the laws, many of Questionnaire for Montenegro. which have been adopted precisely because of the white Schengen list, and The recomposition of the to prove that institutions can perform well. Commission will not take very long. With the current trends in Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, I believe I repeat again, however, we just we have quite a good chance to achieve full or probationary liberalisation of have to impose ourselves on EU's the visa regime with EU. agenda. I believe that this year will, first of all, bring visa-free travel to our citi- zens, and then we can talk about candidacies in the years to come. V. @UGI]

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//////// names of the ten countries that were to The time d'Estaing spent at the helm of become its new members in May 2004, join- the French state (1974-1981) was a particu- ing the family that had so far consisted only larly fertile period in terms of strengthening n December of the privileged few West European coun- the idea of closer integration of European I2001 in Laeken tries. Terrorist actions of 11 September 2001 countries, supported by an even stronger the Summit of the imposed the imperative of a common immi- French-German alliance, which is often con- heads of states and gration and asylum policy and directed EU's sidered the engine of European integrations. governments of attention towards the issues of European Together with his close friend, German chan- European Union, security related to taking greater responsibili- cellor Helmut Schmidt (1972-1982), decided to establish ty in securing peace and stability in the d'Estaing succeeded in promoting a number a European European backyards - both in the Balkans of important initiatives that furthered and in the Middle East. European unity. by Vladimir Pavi}evi} A separate chapter of the Declaration The 1974 Summit in Paris, for instance, was dedicated to the establishment of the yielded the idea of regular meetings of the Convention as from the February 2002. The European Convention and key actors to be heads of states and governments of EU, and Convention consisted of 105 members and involved in the debates on the future of EU. was later institutionalised as the European was chaired by the former French president Declaration states that the reason for creating Council which today is one of the most Valery Giscard d'Estaign.The mandate of the the Convention was the desire to establish a important bodies in the EU, in charge of for- Convention was clear and narrowly defined: singe body that would discuss all issues of mulating general political guidelines for EU prepare the draft of a Constitution for EU importance for the development of EU and policies. that would replace numerous Treaties that articulate possible responses to the current In the same year, the member states have founded the norms and principles of challenges. agreed to hold first direct popular elections EU's functioning. The final outcome of the work of the for the European Parliament (the elections The Convention was also responsible for Convention was to be a document contain- took place in 1979), and in 1978 d'Estaing regaining legitimacy for the overall process of ing interpretations of various ideas regarding and Schmidt formulated a joint proposal for European integrations. The text of the the common future of European nations or a the establishment of European Monetary Constitutional Treaty was supposed to make single harmonised opinion that would be Union (EMU). In the same period the second EU more democratic, transparent and effi- adopted as a recommendation at the follow- enlargement in the history of the Community cient. Establishment of the Convention was ing inter-governmental conference of EU took place, with Greece joining as its tenth the most important element of institution building in the European Union since the first Discussion about democracy in the EU sheds special light on the direct elections for the European Parliament opportunities for increasing the democratic legitimacy of the exist- in 1979 and the Maastricht Treaty in 1992. ing institutions

Creation of the Convention - member states, whose task would be to member. the Laeken Summit establish clear guidelines for further develop- The appointment of d'Estaing as the In December 2001, towards the end of ment of European Union. Among its tasks Chairman of the Convention embodied the Belgian presidency over EU a regular summit was also to prepare a document that could desire of the European Council to entrust the of the heads of states and governments of EU replace the founding treaties of EU and making of the EU Constitution to someone members took place in Laeken, in the out- define the character of this community that whose political engagement contributed skirts of Brussels. The most important out- for half a century has been in a state of per- greatly to the integration of the Western part come of the meeting was the adoption of the petual change. of the European continent and bringing the Declaration on the Future of European idea of a united Europe as a common inter- Union, which contained a discussion on The structure of the Convention est of all states closer to the hearts of its cit- challenges facing the EU both in relation to European Council appointed the former izens. the outside world and in relation to its future French President Giscard d'Estaing the In addition to its Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen, the Convention was com- Although the leaders of the EU member states agreed on and posed of: signed the text of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe - 15 representatives of the Heads of State or in October 2004 in Rome, this document did not replace the Government of the Member States (one founding treaties that still regulate the functioning of EU from each Member State), - 13 representatives of the Heads of State or enlargement and internal institutional reform. Chairman of the Convention and Giuliano Government of the candidate States (1 per The Summit in Laeken was organised at Amato and Jean-LLuc Dehaen as Vice- candidate State), the moment when numerous important Chairmen. The choice of d'Estaing was sym- - 30 representatives of the national parlia- changes were taking place both within EU bolically related to his contribution to fur- ments of the Member States (two from and outside of its borders. One of the cru- thering the process of European integrations each Member State), cial results of the summit was that, for the during his seven-year term as president of - 26 representatives of the national parlia- first time, the EU spelled out clearly the France. ments of the candidate States (two from

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each candidate State), changes, the Convention proposed establish- - 16 members of the European Parliament, ment of the institution of President of the - 2 representatives of the European European Union, as well as Foreign Affairs Commission. Minister. Although the leaders of the EU member Work of the Convention states agreed on and signed the text of the The work of the Convention on drafting Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe EU constitution comprised three phases: in October 2004 in Rome, this document did - Identifying expectations - consists of broad not replace the founding treaties that still reg- discussions on the expectations and needs ulate the functioning of EU. Changing the of the Member States, their Governments content of the founding treaties or adopting and Parliaments, and those of European a new treaty requires ratification of the new society. In addition to the institutions exist- document by the legislatures of each mem- ing in the framework of EU member states ber state. In some countries, this act was pre- and candidate countries, as well as EU ceded by a plebiscite on the issue, in order institutions, this phase saw active involve- to secure the acquiescence of the citizens. ment of numerous organisations whose task After a majority of citizens of the Netherlands is to promote European values and create and France voted against the new treaty, the a European society. This phase ended at process of ratification was frozen and the EU the Summit in Seville, on 21 June 2002. continued to function based on the existing - Deliberation phase - an attempt to com- foundational treaties. pare various opinions put forward on European integrations, trying to make these and regions within the states regarding their European identity diverse approaches more coherent and respective roles in decision-making. An EU constitution was also supposed to assessment of their implications and conse- Parallel with this process the creators of foster the development of European identity, quences for the common future of the Constitution had to worry about simpli- which is a topic that inspired many scientific European peoples. This phase lasted from fying the instruments the EU employs in the works at universities across the EU and the US. the meeting in Seville until the last plena- implementation of its policies and adopting A Constitution would facilitate citizens' ry session of the Convention which took legislative acts. This means clearer definitions perception that it is possible to relate to mul- place in autumn 2002. of the basic categories used by the EU - reg- tiple identities at the same time. This means - A proposing phase - the participants in the ulations, directives and decisions, or, as the that if someone feels deep belonging to his work of the Convention tried to forge a draft Constitution finally suggested, defining a or her region he or she can also at the same consensus on the proposals to be submitted new legal framework with new instruments. time identify with the whole nation. Whether to the European Council for deliberation The Laeken Declaration stressed the the person identifies with one or the other once the Convention has completed its issues of democracy, transparency and effi- will thus vary with circumstances on the cir- work. This phase included analysis of cost ciency of the entire process of European cumstances. and benefits of different formulae based on integrations, and found this was the biggest As observed by Thomas Risse, individu- which the process of European integrations shortcoming of the EU, especially when bear- als posses multiple identities. Inhabitants of could be directed further, choosing the right ing in mind the citizens' perceptions of it. the Westfalen region in Germany can at the one and formulating the proposal of the Discussion about democracy in the EU shed same time feel that they belong to their city, Constitution accordingly. The proposing phase was completed in the spring of 2003 The European Constitution was supposed to create the framework at the summit of heads of states and gov- within which belonging to different entities will be perfectly natu- ernments of EU members in Thessaloniki. ral for all those who understand that living in Europe today means Constitutional Treaty: What could have living in a politically and culturally vibrant and diverse environment been different? The decisions introduced in the special light on the opportunities for increas- region or the state of which they are the cit- Declaration during the Laeken summit of EU ing the democratic legitimacy of the existing izens - in this case, Germany. Which identi- leaders were an attempt to simplify the leg- institutions. The greatest criticism towards the ty will the person consider most important islative apparatus of the EU and bring it clos- Brussels administration was that they were depends on the context. When a person er to the citizens, and to strike a harmonious too distant from the European citizens who from Westfalen travels to France he or she is balance between different visions of the did not have the slightest access to these most likely to feel German, whereas the pre- future development of the Union. The bodies whose decisions directly affect their vailing identity on a trip to South America Convention was supposed to, most impor- behaviour in many areas of life. will probably be - European. tantly, distribute and define responsibilities The draft of the Constitutional Treaty The European Constitution was supposed clearly and try to answer as precisely as pos- from 2003 envisaged abolition of the division to create the framework within which belong- sible the question who does what? of EU into three pillars, as was defined by the ing to different entities will be perfectly natu- This means, first of all, clearer division Maastricht Treaty and established European ral for all those who understand that living in of competences between the EU and its Union, instead of European Communities, as Europe today means living in a politically and member states, reorganising responsibilities in the relevant international and legal subject. culturally vibrant and diverse environment. the domain of foreign and security policy, This would have meant a significant step fur- and introducing mechanism that would reg- ther in the deepening of the process of The author is teaching at the Faculty of ulate the competition between the EU, states European integrations. In addition to these Political Sciences of the University of Belgrade

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by Brano Mandi} Crisis Crisis is a joker card. Nobody is yet taking it very seri- ously, which is why they will be trying hard to explain to us all the far-reach- ing horrors it will bring. One great thing is that at least we changed the keyword. Once upon a time integra- tions, recently application and nowa- days - crisis. That's the culprit and explanation why our application is not breaking into full gallop but rather proceeding at that subtle trot that some malicious souls would even call a blockade. Blockade or not, all of us who actual- ly wanted to find out what happened guarantees that the crisis will not affect day. The opposition multiplies through with the historical piece of rolled the enlargement. It's the Czech simple division, without much eroti- parchment that we handed over to Presidency, after all, and the Czechs cism. From the darkness of the nineties Sarkozy Nicholas suffered terribly in are known to have a thing for our sea- the forgotten faces of one time aces of the last few days. side. The situation is just getting too idiotic ideologies are rejoining the The whole of the state fleet complicated since the game moved to ranks. The only question left is how grabbed the rows and set out on a the foreign terrain and our media don't much money will be spent on the cruise across all media branches to have correspondents in Brussels. financing of these farcical party splin- deny an announcement of one It will be, by the way, a historical ters and reappearances of political European news agency. The application moment when the first Montenegrin Methuselahs that will together make this campaign unworthy of participa- The whole of the state fleet is cruising very media branch to deny tion. Never was activism in the announcement of one European news agency. The application Montenegro so meaningless, and the is not blocked. That's a harsh word. This is simply not true, it just good old custom of abstinence more needs the agreement of all 27 countries. And all these countries, justified. In any case, the economic you're guessing, are in the midst of an economic crisis and could- programmes and political visions are n't care less for the enlargement out. The winner is known in advance because one of the competitors decid- is not blocked. That's a harsh word. journalist lands in some tiny apartment ed to commit suicide before the fate- This is simply not true, it just needs the in Brussels on the expense of the com- ful battle. On the other hand, the gov- agreement of all 27 countries. And all pany and begins reporting from the ernment is polishing up the make-up these countries, you're guessing, are in spot. Until then, we will have to rely and cutting wages of the pudgy direc- the midst of an economic crisis and on dodgy European agencies which the tors of state-owned companies, which couldn't care less for the enlargement. state owned media can't trust, because is a pre-election sweetener like we've Their politicians are interested in satis- they're financed from the budget. And never seen before. There, some fying their voters so that they will the budget's on trial. Because of the progress is obvious. Not too long ago it extend their mandates in order for the crisis. was enough to open a bridge some- politicians to extend their noble visions. where, but this, after all is a systemic Then comes the message from gentle- There's no crisis parade of the alleged concern for pub- manly Olli Rehn, the man who never For Montenegrin authorities, times lic resources. Or what remains of them. giggles schizophrenically like some of have never been better. Our European prime minister his other colleagues from Brussels. He They get a new opponent every instead of taking a study trip to Berlin,

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Paris or Oslo, decided for underestimated and dead that Quatar and the United Arab the government deserves every Emirates. Nobody has a clue admiration. how much money is involved It's great to live in a coun- or takes seriously the fact that try like that. Nobody is expected the Arab business cut down its to ask any concrete questions or investments by 60%. Because give concrete answers. Instead, of the crisis. For our prime we are dumbly following politi- minister, however, there is no cal shows where idiots ask other crisis, and he's going to negoti- idiots questions. Only a firm sys- ate with sultans and sheiks. tem of accountability could Interestingly enough, the make these into useful people, prime minister didn't bring the but as we don't have such a sys- public service along to his tem neither in the media nor in haiduk gatherings. RTCG jour- the parties nor in our own work- nalists have every right to feel places, mostly... everybody is bitter. They've travelled the entitled to being the smartest. whole of Europe, and just And if he or she has a bit of tal- when they get a chance to visit ent for marketing, there we have the cradle of civilisations - a weekend messiah or a fierce zilch. Arabs don't like cameras, dissident. that's the only way I can solve That's why I like to dream this aporim. of a house in a village, long beard, a herd of goats and a Workers bunch of healthy children with The workers striking in political results. Special analysts' units rosy cheeks. If possible, the min- front of the Government are so boring. will hover on the relation bar-universi- istry of agriculture could easily arrange They come in small groups and cause ty-bar in order to explain to the plebs for one sharp pen and a great threat to no incidents and they bring idiotic slo- and the professors the winning political the government to disappear forever at gans like "Bread, bread, master!" programme. a minimum cost somewhere on the instead of coming in batches of a few As we said before, there are no stretch Mu`evice-Gornja Trep~a, on thousand, each with an egg or a toma- to to throw at the Government and For Montenegrin authorities, times have never been better. They then back home. Return the next day get a new opponent every day. The opposition multiplies through with water melons, and so on. Simply, simple division, so there's little eroticism to speak of they have to try out different combat tactics. Like this, without a strategy, programmes, and no programmatic the road to Trubjela, twenty kilometers without a cent in their pockets, it's policy either. Everything comes down or so from Nik{i} and its mayor. awful to see these people nobody cares to a few formulas forged overnight by The answer to the question: would about. The least the opposition which party ideologues. The market will only you prefer to have an influence on the now has better things to do. The gov- open up after the elections when per- Montenegrin public opinion or to pro- ernment knows it well and isn't going haps we will even get some historical duce goat cheese - is clear. The noble, to pick up the workers' trail. The trail coalition for national reconciliation. All neglected stone houses in could lead journalists to some interest- in all, the progress is obvious, this time Montenegro's neverlands are waiting ing discoveries, but nobody has time all the masks are down. Nobody in this for us and they're a prefect way to for petty thefts in state-owned compa- country has any clue about the most escape forever... But they're not the nies, that immortal genre. burning economic problems and we only way. You can also start working in behave and observe the situation in politics. Carefully study the acquis Idlers KAP accordingly. Until yesterday, we communautaire or the proceedings of Loafers are set to profit these days, had a flexible system. Now we are part Montenegro's secret police. like they do ahead of every elections. of a big system and we'll have a reces- The life is full of opportunities. Publish analysis, expound on syn- sion. When your minister of finance theses. Organise the propaganda tells you two such stories in two The author is a journalist of the underground in order to swell better months, the public opinion must be so daily newspaper "Vijesti"

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S T A T E O W N E D E N T E R P R I S E S I N M O N T E N E G R O - P U B L I C M O N E Y F O R P E R S O N A L A N D P A R T Y N E E D S Tfwfsbodf!qbzt!ps!qbsuz!efdpsbujpot

amount to 1 926 euros per person. employment contract, is entitled to a sever- //////// Directors, presidents and members of ance pay from his or her current employer the management boards (boards of directors) amounting to a minimum of six average of public enterprises owned by the Republic wages in Montenegro". hanks primarily of Montenegro are also entitled to numerous Secretary general of the Association of Tto the writing of privileges - salaries, per diem travel expens- Free Trade Unions Sr|a Kekovi} correctly the daily Vijesti, es, covered expenses of their official mobile observes that "the purpose of the severance the public learned phones, use of the company vehicles (with pay is to provide the employee with some about a series of covered gas expenses), severance pays, costs income in the period until he or she is able facts related to the of representation (restaurants etc.), business to secure another job. In other words, in policy and practice credit cards with a certain limit and others. order to be entitled to the severance pay the of rewarding public According to the publicly available informa- directors must first be declared redundant, tion, salaries of the presidents and members i.e. his or her employment must be terminat- by Stevo Muk of the boards of directors in public enterpris- ed". This is obviously not the case, and the es range from 800 to 3 000 euros. Salaries motives for distributing severance pays are officials from the ruling parties who happen of the directors of public enterprises can be very different. to be directors, presidents and members of up to 4 000 euros. Nearly all members of the The intention of the Government and the boards of managers of public enterpris- management of these companies are also the ruling parties was, among other, to assist es and enterprises in which the Government members of the main boards of the ruling their loyal cadre in "improving" their living has majority ownership. parties - DPS and SDP. standards by allocating them to the leading First the State Audit institutions found, In spite of the leagues of experts avail- positions in important public companies. MP in its "Audit Report on the Financial able to it in the country, and even within the D`avid [abovi} (SDP) confirms this conclu- Statements of the Railways of Montenegro for ruling parties, the Government insists on sion when he claims that "if MPs in the 2007", that the Assembly of shareholders appointing appoint to the management of its Parliament had decent wages, they would approved in 2005 payment of 18 gross wages to the president of the Board of In December 2008, net average wage in Montenegro was 443 Directors after the expiry of his or her term. euros. The basic, officially reported net salary of a minister in the Railways of Montenegro is a company Government of Montenegro is between 700 and 1 100 euros. that at the end of 2007 fiscal year had 104.5 million euro losses. The management that President of Montenegro earns over 1000 euros per month. came to the helm of the company two years Severance pays for some 8 000 workers, so-ccalled "victims of tran- ago "finished" its mandate in mid-summer sition" in the period 2000-22008 distributed by the government in last year, by distributing severance pays. late 2008 and early 2009 amount to 1 926 euros per person President of the Board of Directors received 120 000 euros, and other members got 25 enterprises only a handful of the highest not have to seek additional jobs". Minister of 000 each. The next President of the Board party officials, for several mandates on the Interior and Public Administration Jusuf of Directors after only half a year of working same boards, and until recently even in sev- Kalamperovi} (member of SDP presidency) for the Railways got 180 000 euros, while eral companies at the same time. After they said for TV Vijesti that "while he was a the old-new members of the Board received complete one mandate in an enterprise they member of the management of Montenegro each 45 000. go to replace other members of the boards Airlines, he gave one third of his salary to his In another company controlled by the of another enterprise, which often operates party (SDP), since this was the internal party Government - Coal Mine "Pljevlja" - a for- in an entirely different branch of business. regulation". Director of DPS also admitted to mer president of the Board of Directors and What is really a "severance pay" and is the media that their cadres are obliged to MP of the Democratic Party of Socialists it possible for someone to legally receive transfer 10% of their incomes to the party (DPS) received around 58 000 euros, and such a huge amount of money? coffers. another MP and port-parole of DPS 40 000. The labour code prescribes that "an Once this topic raised some dust in the In December 2008, net average wage employee that has been declared redundant media, the Government of Montenegro first in Montenegro was 443 euros. The basic, and is not being transferred to other tasks studied the "Information on severance pays in officially reported net salary of a minister in with the same employer in line with his or the Railways of Montenegro" and concluded the Government of Montenegro is between her qualifications, full or part time; and is not that all members of the Board of Directors 700 and 1 100 euros. President of being transferred to another employer in line should return severance payments they Montenegro earns over 1000 euros per with his or her qualifications, full or part received on the basis of the decision of the month. Severance pays for some 8 000 time; and is not subject to further training or assembly of shareholders of this company. workers, so-called "victims of transition" in retraining for another job with the same or However, the Government also found that it the period 2000-2008 distributed by the other employer or other measures in accor- had no means of forcing anybody to return government in late 2008 and early 2009 dance with the collective agreement or the the money, and while some yielded under

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public pressure and returned the payments, others simply ignored Governments' recom- mendation and some even categorically refused to do so. Soon after, the Government also established a working group whose task was to reevaluate the policy of severance payments and compensations in public enterprises. It is evident that the practice of exorbi- tantly high salaries and other compensations for directors and managers of state owned enterprises dates back for decades in Montenegro. In June 1996 the media report- ed that "in unregulated environments, like it is the case with Montenegro in the process of transformations, management positions in public companies become very attractive. One should not, however, disregard the material aspects. Membership in the man- agement boards became, for those who can enterprises where it has majority ownership. lic interest is paramount. There may be other get hold of it, a very solid source of income. The new policy would include not only a ways to professionalise management of pub- There is no law or regulation that would new law on public enterprises but also a lic companies, either through amendments to clearly prescribe compensation rates for the clear ethical codex for the government rep- the Law on the Prevention of Conflict of management, except for the general recom- resentatives in all bodies an organisations Interests, which unfortunately supports the mendation of the Government of where they represent and guarantee imple- option of an MP's membership in one board, Montenegro that such work should be remu- mentation of the Government' policies. or by adopting a moral codex for MPs or via nerated". As for the transparency of their work, government decree that would define the Causes of such perennial tendencies lie annual reports of all economic subjects, their criteria for persons who may be appointed to in the lack of clear legal procedures and reg- statutes and other general acts of the com- the managing boards of public companies on ulations that would limit the policy and prac- panies in majority state ownership ought to behalf of the state. tice of exorbitant incomes and in the lack of be available via Internet, as well as the pol- State Audit Institution (SAI) should con- sanctions for such decisions; in the absence icy of remunerating directors, members of tinue with regular audit of public companies and companies with majority or substantial What is really a "severance pay" and is it possible that someone ownership by the state. To date, such finan- can legally receive such an enormous amount of money? cial audits have been an exception. The companies should be obliged to provide a of a responsible, rational and ethical handling various boards as well as other management. timely response to SAI's recommendations of public resources, and in the lack of polit- The Government should define a clear, trans- and make the reports on the implementation ical accountability for such behavior. parent policy of rewards and bonuses for the of these recommendations public. The Government behaves as if it were successful, profitable companies in its owner- Commission for the Conflict of Interests a few isolated cases and recent practices and ship. Such a policy must be related to objec- will have to answer why there is no informa- proclaims its intent to quickly eradicate it. Its tive criteria of business development, a sub- tion on income and property of a number of report also deals with establishing more real- stantiated link between decisions and results presidents or members of managing boards istic maximum salaries for directors and and directed primarily at the management, appointed by the Government of management. not at directors. A policy like that would only Montenegro on its website, and take ade- However, instead of commissions, apply to those companies that participate in quate measures to ensure respect of the law. working groups and reports, there are clear indications that this may be a matter for Instead of commissions, working groups and reports, there are courts and that a series of criminal acts and clear indications that this may be a matter for courts and that a violations of different laws have occurred. It series of criminal acts and violations of different laws have should be the task of the Police Authority and State Prosecutor to establish whether the occurred. It should be the task of the Police Authority and State decisions and actions taken in these cases Prosecutor to establish whether the decisions and actions taken in amount to criminal acts. these cases amount to criminal acts In addition to this, labour inspectors should conduct necessary investigations in the market competition. Until then, the protection of public order to establish whether such decisions on Unfortunately, Montenegro's Constitu- interest will remain obscured by party and the part of the shareholders' assemblies, tion fails to define the office of an MP as personal interests, which is never a guaran- boards of managers and boards of directors professional employment and thus incompat- tee of societal progress, in spite of all have violated the Labour Code and under- ible with other public jobs, i.e. positions, attempts to find excuses. take certain measures accordingly. especially such demanding jobs as should be Overall, the state ought to take a more creating business policy for the companies The author is the president of the Board radical stance towards public enterprises and where the state is a majority owner and pub- of Directors of the Institute Alternative (IA)

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W H Y D O I W A N T T O B E A C I T I Z E N O F E U R O P E A N U N I O N Djwjd!boe!fowjsponfoubm

//////// the need to run away from the "living of civic and environmental awareness truths" of corridor rumours, conspiracy in our country. theories and petty interests, the phe- If we're creative enough, maybe n order not to nomena that in my mind are directly we can come up with a National Irepeat the connected to the lack of civic courage Strategy of Development o Civic and motives listed and culture in the environment where Environmental Conscience for the here by my I live and work. period 2009-2020 (!?). The money esteemed col- I cannot but notice that as long as will come, naturally, exclusively from leagues in the we're better acquainted with party foreign donations. An example that previous issues, programmes than with human rights, local intelligence can replace foreign know more politicians than scientists consultants. And the capital would stay by Aleksandar Perovi} and our families watch more of the TV in Montenegro. Anything is possible. because I believe them to be entirely Duga and live broadcasts of the Well, Don Quixote fought with worthwhile, I will focus on one differ- Parliament sessions than National the windmills, which are nowdays ent reason for which I want to be a Geographic or Discovery, as long as used to produce energy from renew- citizen of EU. garbage bags are treated as a potential able sources. Finally, perhaps the I say "one", which means that I, precipitation and betting is the most experiences of the ruling parties in like so many of us from the civic sec- widespread hobby, as long as drug "dealing" and "figuring out", which tor who work hard and learn continu- addiction is on the rise and corruption often smell of corruption, if a ously, in spite of unstable and often is a widely accepted and acceptable favourable opportunity arises, will insufficient income, chronic lack of any phenomenon etc. we can hardly speak serve to reverse the situation and leisure time and sleep, lack of privacy of civic awareness and expect it to accelerate the rest of the EU accession and excess of responsibility, have cer- flourish. process, without extra payment to tain broader expectations from EU Distance from the goal, at least in various lobbying firms. accession. my case, is correlated with the extent Then we will certainly have plen- I have also learned, however, and of desire, and since dealing with envi- ty of reasons to develop a civic con- from personal experience, that great ronmental issues taught me the spirit scious. expectations can cause even greater of a marathon runner, I will try to In the EU, that's the cheaper disappointments, and such causal rela- present a little more cheerfully all the option. tion is not something that should be reasons for which every one of us If we are aiming to accomplish an practiced often, for the sake of one's should think of activities that could important goal, which civic awareness own health. positively influence the development certainly is, visa liberalisation, oppor- Now back to the topic I tunities for travel and hopefully introduced. the rise of living standards will not The motive I want to talk be the only benefits from joining about is the achievement of a the EU. high degree of civic, as well as I hope that our European environmental awareness in indi- vision and Sisyphus' mission will viduals. one day be successfully accom- Whether it's because of daily plished and that the fulfilment of exposure at work, which with this dream will bring us all person- time, no matter how hard I try to al and professional satisfaction. avoid it, lowers my tolerance and And sustainable development produces temporary saturation, or as a genuine societal choice. because of my meetings with col- leagues from the EU who bring The author is the director of the opportunity of cultural dia- civic association "OZON" from logue and advance of my own Nik{i}. He attended VIII generation knowledge, I reel more and more of European Integration School

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Fvspofxt!uif!nptu!qpqvmbs MMiilllliioonnss ooff wwoorrkkeerrss ttoo uropean TV channel Euronews, based it broadcasts news 24 hours a day in Ein Lyon, France, is the most popular French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, lloossee jjoobbss news channel in 17 EU countries as well Portuguese and Arabic. p to 3.5 million EU citizens could as in Norway, Russia and Switzerland. Its program is currently available via Ulose their jobs in 2009 because of According to the European Media cable and satellite to 200 million house- the economic downturn, warns European and Marketing Survey, in the last winter holds in 130 states. Commission. season Euronews' market share was 17.5%, The first EC monthly report on the or eight million viewers. labour market states that unemployment Next on the ranking of most popular in EU-27 may jump from 7% in 2008 to news channels are CNN with 15.8%, almost 10% in late 2010. SkyNews with 14.6% and BBC with 12.4%. The crisis will have the greatest The least watched are Al Jazeera with impact on metalworking, automobile, 2.4% and the French information channel financial and logistic sectors in which some France 24 - 2.2%. 100 000 workers were already laid off While the share of European televi- only in the last quarter of 2008. sion networks remains unchanged, CNN's popularity dropped by 400 000 viewers, TTuurrkkeeyy rreeaaddyy ranking Euronews ahead of the CNN for the first time in history. ffoorr EEUU bbyy 22001133 Euronews was founded in 1993, and urkey will be ready to join EU by 2013, Tannounced Ali Babacan, Turkish foreign affairs minister at his recent visit to Riga. "Turkey will be ready by 2013 but Fvspqfbot!epo(u!cfmjfwf!jo!Hpe we still do not know whether the EU will be ready as well", Babacan said. he Czechs just lost the primacy they everyday life. Ankara began its accession negotia- Twere very proud of in the past - of The Gallup pollsters asked citizens in tions with EU in October 2005. So far it being the biggest atheists in Europe. 143 countries of the world to rank the has opened ten chapters, and preliminarily The latest Gallup poll shows that in importance of religious beliefs for their every- closed one. Europe the biggest non-believers are day life. Among the 10 countries where God Since December 2006 eight of these Estonians. Among the nations where the is least important for people, 7 are European. chapters are suspended until Turkey mod- religion holds an important place the The biggest atheists are Estonians, ifies its position on Cyprus. champions are Romanians (78%) together where the importance of God and religion with Italians, Portuguese and Greeks, close- is recognised by only 14% of the respon- SSlloovveenniiaannss ddoonn''tt ly followed by Poles where 72% of respon- dents, followed by Swedes (17%), Danes dents stated religion was important in their (18%) and Czechs (21%). wwaanntt CCrrooaattiiaa iinn tthhee EEUU f the citizens of Slovenia were to decide Ion Croatia's accession to EU in a referen- Wjefp!hbnft!gps!dsfbujwjuz dum, the result would be defeating. According to the poll published by Delo ideo games can be good for children Committee for Single Market and from Ljubljana, 49.7% would vote against it. Vand stimulate their creativity, concludes Consumer Protection. The reports states Croatia's accession to EU would be the report of the European Parliament that there is no direct connection between supported by 32.7% of Slovenians. video games and violent behaviour, but admits that violence in some of the games SSttoopp ttoo ppiirraaccyy may "stimulate" such behaviour in children. olish police announced it had cut the The report did not impose any bans, Pbiggest chain for the production of but it called on the EU member states to pirated CDs and DVDs in the EU and strengthen the voluntary codex of rating the closed down two factories in Warsaw and games according to their content (PEGI). Rybnik (south of Poland) where the newest The total revenue of the video games films were printed only a day after their industry last year was more than 7 billion European premiere. euros. The report contradicts the common The speaker of the Warsaw police belief that video games are directed main- Marin Szyndler said they had confiscated ly at children, with statistics showing that 54 000 fakes worth 5 million zloty, or the average wage of the players is 33. more than a million euros.

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S H O U L D E N E R G Y P R I C E S B E R E G U L A T E D B Y T H E S T A T E S O R L E F T T O T H E M A R K E T Fmfdusjdjuz!bt!b!qpmjujdbm!jttvf

s electricity and gas markets slow- reinforce distortions of competition or Aly open up to competition, EU restrict resale". countries with fixed pricing policies According to a survey by the are coming under growing pressure to European Group of Energy Regulators let market forces decide prices. But (ERGEG), which acts as an advisory opponents point to the potentially body to the European Commission, 17 high social consequences of the meas- EU member states are currently apply- ure. ing regulated tariffs for electricity and By liberalising energy markets, EU nine are doing the same for gas. countries have started to introduce Depending on the countries, fixed policies aimed at encouraging new prices may cover such things as trans- operators to enter the market and port and distribution cost, taxes and compete to offer gas and electricity to levies, and supply costs. customers at the best price. The regulated tariff does not nec- However, these markets remain essarily apply to all customers. In the far from perfect markets from eco- Netherlands and Denmark, for nomics textbooks, mainly because the instance, the state regulation only cov- liberalisation process is incomplete. ers households and small businesses, Moreover, pricing remains a highly for example, leaving large industrial sensitive issue, as it affects both customers to buy their energy on the households and industrial consumers. prices and market prices still co-exist open market. However, according to At the same time, climate change in many countries, creating confusion the ERGEG study, where both systems policy is crawling to the top of the EU for customers and uncertainty for co-exist, 80% of end-users chose the agenda, making 'decarbonisation' of businesses wishing to break into regulated price, making genuine com- the energy sector a top political prior- ity. Low-carbon technologies, howev- Europeans spend an average of 5.7% of their household budgets er, come at a higher price than con- on energy, with electricity accounting for the largest part of this ventional fuels such as coal or gas. expenditure Moreover, as energy consumers also happen to be citizens and voters, national energy markets. petition on retail markets an elusive the issue of energy pricing is making a According to one European objective for now. comeback at the forefront of the polit- Commission communication, price Advocates of liberalisation argue ical stage. controls "may be needed to protect that price setting is "one of the factors which hinder equal access of all sup- As energy consumers are not only buyers but also citizens and vot- pliers to customers". ers, the issue of energy pricing is making a comeback at the fore- "New entrants who do not have front of the political stage. In many EU countries, the state retains power generation capacities or long control over electricity and gas prices. Currently 17 EU members term contracts buy energy on whole- are applying regulated tariffs for electricity and 9 are doing the sale markets," ERGEG points out. As a same for gas consequence, "wholesale price levels must be lower" than the regulated In many EU countries, the state consumers in certain specific circum- price if they are to compete on the retains control over electricity and gas stances, for instance in the transition open market. prices charged to end-users. In most period towards effective competition" However, market players are often cases, these policies were decided on the liberalised gas and electricity unable to make competitive offers. In upon to shield households and indus- markets. However, it adds that they France, Spain, and to a lesser extent tries from violent price swings and "must be balanced so as not to pre- Italy, "the regulated tariffs are (…) set keep energy affordable. vent market opening, create discrimi- at a level so low compared with mar- But with liberalisation, regulated nations among EU energy suppliers, ket prices that they fully prevent mar-

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ket opening," according to the into some national markets because Commission. industrial consumers tend to buy their In the EU executive's view, elec- electricity on a long-term, exclusive tricity and gas prices in those countries basis from their incumbent operator. "do not reflect costs," leading to Supporters of long-term supply "under-investment" in new supply contracts argue that they fulfil a useful capacity. Moreover, it says artificially role. For large industrial consumers, low tariffs "impede real competition," they offer more predictable prices than effectively blocking new suppliers' the open electricity market. In turn, access to the market. long-term contracts reduce uncertain- EFET, the European Federation of ty for energy firms, allowing them to Energy Traders, is unambiguous: "The plan ahead and propose set tariffs for regulated tariffs cannot anticipate their clients. volatile wholesale prices" and therefore But, according to the tend to "eradicate the only natural link Commission, long-term contracts between the wholesale and retail mar- essentially hamper competition and kets". prevent necessary price signals from On the other side are those who being passed on to consumers. When believe that a "free market for energy gas or electricity prices rise, consumers prices" is itself a nonsense, since the should be encouraged to reduce their market itself is based on oligopolies. consumption, the argument goes. With households still nervous France offered distributing companies A number of antitrust investiga- about changing electricity supplier, the a scheme allowing those that opted for tions have also been launched in this European Commission has decided to focus another dimension of its policies In the Netherlands and Denmark the state regulation only covers on encouraging competition in the households and small businesses leaving large industrial customers retail electricity sector. to buy their energy on the open market In February 2009, it announced the launch of an investigation into the a market-based electricity tariff to context. "malfunctioning" EU electricity mar- switch back to the regulated tariff for However, even the most ardent ket, following the publication of a a period of two years. This provision supporters of liberalisation recognise survey which revealed that the ener- was introduced because some compa- that competition should be matched gy sector was "underperforming" for nies were nearing collapse in the by measures to protect consumers. consumers. The probe will focus on course of the last rapid price hike of In the UK, all the major energy "unfair" conditions for electricity con- oil, experiencing price rises of up to utilities have introduced "social tariffs" sumers regarding billing, comparabil- 70% above the regulated tariff. to protect households from fuel ity of offers and unreasonable com- This is the main argument of poverty. A Winter Fuel Allowance mercial practices, after the Com- those defending regulated tariffs - that scheme was also introduced by the mission found that "less than two they act as a cushion against wild price swings when energy markets are In the UK, all the major energy utilities have introduced "social affected by external factors, such as tariffs" to protect households from fuel poverty political instability in oil-producing regions. government for the most vulnerable thirds of consumers are satisfied with The French authorities have also sectors of the British population, such their energy supplier". pointed out that the price of electric- as the elderly. But these have been In spite of that, the report reveals ity is naturally low in France because criticised for failing to keep up with that consumers are extremely unlikely the costs of investment, notably in rising energy bills. to switch gas or electricity supplier, nuclear power stations, have already Moreover, clients who were not with just seven and eight percent been covered. on the social scheme were sometimes respectively indicating their willingness In addition to state regulations, offered better deals when closing con- to do so. the long-term contracts passed tracts over the Internet, causing the According to the European between industrial consumers of elec- UK energy regulator to intervene and Commission, this is a clear indicator tricity and large utility groups have issue guidelines requiring energy com- that Europeans have a "limited" aware- increasingly attracted the attention of panies to offer a social tariff which ness of their rights as consumers. the European Commission. Electricity must equal the supplier's cheapest suppliers often have difficulty breaking deal. V.[.-VV.@.

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W H A T I S W R I T T E N I N T H E G O V E R N M E N T ' S B R I E F O N T H E P R E P A R A T I O N S F O R A N S W E R I N G T H E Q U E S T I O N N A I R E Cf!qsfdjtf-!dmfbs-!rvjdl

ompiling answers to the European CCommission questions and translating them is a rather extensive and demand- 1100 000000 PPAAGGEESS OOFF AANNSSWWEERRSS,, ing task for Montenegro, and especially for its public administration. It requires 116600 000000 EEUURROOSS FFOORR TTRRAANNSSLLAATTIIOONN timely and comprehensive preparations t is necessary to allocate the resources for translations and proofreading as in order to ensure that the entire public soon as possible, since it is reasonable to expect around 10 000 pages of administration can be ready for the I translation which, with the current costs of translation, will require some 160 Questionnaire, and supply precise, clear and concise answers within the due 000 euros, states the Government's document. deadlines. On SEI's proposal, the government also approved the establishment of a So goes the text of the Brief on the translation centre, judging that around 50 translators will be needed for the preparations for answering the Questio- Questionnaire. nnaire adopted by the Government in The government recently created a draft Handbook for translating legal and late January upon the proposal of the other documents related to European integrations in order to avoid the diver- Secretariat for European Integrations (SEI). sity of translations among the government institutions. The document emphasises that the preparations should begin well in "Quality and correctness of the and demanding than those for the previ- advance in order to ensure smooth divi- response will form the basis for all future ous 12 applicants. If we compare the sion of tasks and coordination across the negotiations and starting positions of both Questionnaires for Croatia and ministries, and stresses the amount of sides", warns SEI. Macedonia, which were received more the translation needed as well as the The Government suggested that or less shortly one after the other, one importance of information technologies employees in the ministries and bodies can see that almost 90% of the questions (IT) in the sense of centralising the col- should already start reading the Croatian were either the same or very similar. lection and processing of information. and Macedonian Questionnaire and Bearing previous trends in mind, as well Secretariat provided the ministries and preparing the answers. as the time passed since the latest public institutions with the examples of "The Questionnaire is prepared sep- Questionnaire, Montenegro can expect at questions and answers from the arately for every country, but some of the least 80% of the questions to be very Questionnaires of Macedonia and questions are similar or the same for similar to those received by Croatia and Croatia. every candidate country and some are Macedonia", Government said. SEI is eager to stress the importance country-specific. Comparing the experi- It is also emphasised that in the case of "timely preparation" for the ences so far, we can notice that with of Croatia the translations of answers and Questionnaire, pointing out that the every wave of enlargement the annexes submitted in response to the answers will be considered "a decisive Questionnaires became more extensive Questionnaire amounted to 7 000 pages step in preparing for the negotiations for and more probing. Those for Macedonia in Croatia, and as many as 14 000 pages full membership in the EU". and Croatia were by far more detailed in the case of Macedonia. "In the preparation period, and especially later, in the period between HHIIDDIINNGG QQUUEESSTTIIOONNSS AANNDD AANNSSWWEERRSS receiving the Questionnaire until all he government "recommended" public institutions not to give access to the answers are approved and adopted by TEC Questionnaire and their answers to the media. the Government and submitted to EC, "The Questionnaire is the property of EC, which does not welcome their this issue ought to be treated as the key appearance in public. We therefore recommend that this should be explained national priority", states the Brief. to the national public and that all questions and answers should be made avail- Government already defined coordi- nation structures that will be responsible able only once the process is completed, i.e. once the EC announces its opin- for the preparation of answers to the ion. Until that date, all information for the public should be focused on explain- Questionnaire. It is noted that part of the ing the process, monitoring different phases of the process (translation of ques- existing coordination arrangements for the tions, number/percentage of completed answers per week, translation of European integrations process ought to be answers), on the preparedness of public administration, available equipment and "updated, and linked to additional struc- structural arrangements, general data (number of questions in total and per area, tures and teams with precisely defined the basic drift of questions, without citing them) etc.", states the Brief. responsibilities and competencies".

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THE STRUCTURE OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND COORDINATORS OF CHAPTERS According to this document, deputy prime minister for European integrations Title Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating and I POLITICAL CRITERIA Deputy PM for EI - SEI leading the process of answering the 1. Democracy and the rule of law, Ministry of Justice Questionnaire, in cooperation with SEI 2. Human rights and protection of minorities Ministry of Human and Minority Rights Protection and through the Commission for 3. Regional issues and International Commitments Ministry of Foreign Affairs European Integrations. II ECONOMIC CRITERIA Ministry of Finance (with Deputy PMs for 1. Existence of a functioning market economy Economic Policy and Finance) "The ultimate responsibility for qual- 1.1. Macroeconomic stability ity, precise and timely response to the 1.2. Price liberalisation Questionnaire, in line with the impor- 1.3. Financial sector tance of this activity, lies with the 1.4. Privatisation Government, which is the carrier of the 1.5. Market entry and exit 2. Legal system and property rights-eeconomic process of Montenegro's integration in issues the EU. The government ought to 2.1. Property rights approve and adopt every answer to the 2.2. Legal system from the economic standpoint Questionnaire before it can be submitted 3. Structural reforms to the EC", states the document. 4. Capacity to cope with competitive pressures It adds that the "key (essential) and market forces within the Union 5. Trade integration responsibility and competence for III ABILITY TO TAKE ON THE OBLIGATIONS answering the Questionnaire belongs to OF MEMBERSHIP - ACQUIS (33 CHAPTERS) the ministries and other public adminis- 01 Free movement of goods Ministry for Economic Development tration bodies, who are in charge of 02 Freedom of movement for workers Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare answering every question and providing 03 Right of establishment and freedom to Ministry for Economic Development all necessary accompanying documents". provide services For the sake of greater efficiency the 04 Free movement of capital Ministry of Finance Government also decided to establish 05 Public procurement Ministry of Finance Commissions for verification of answers to 06 Company law Ministry for Economic Development the Questionnaire, as well as an inter- 07 Intellectual property law Ministry for Economic Development ministerial body to be presided by the 08 Competition policy Ministry for Economic Development deputy prime minister for European inte- 09 Financial services Ministry of Finance grations and consisting of deputy prime 10 Information society and media Ministry for Information Society/Ministry of ministers for economic policy and for Culture, Sports and media finance, and ministers of foreign affairs, 11 Agriculture and rural development Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management home affairs, justice, finance, economic 12 Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management development, agriculture, forestry and 13 Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management waters, tourism and environment as well 14 Transport policy Ministry Maritime Affairs, Transportation and as the SEI Secretary. Telecommunication The Government appointed a 15 Energy Ministry for Economic Development responsible minister (i.e. ministry) to each 16 Taxation Ministry of Finance of the 33 chapters of the Questionnaire 17 Economic and monetary policy Ministry of Finance that will, in the later phases of integra- 18 Statistics Ministry of Finance /Monstat tions, become negotiation chapters (see 19 Social policy and employment Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare the table). As for political criteria, the 20 Enterprise and industrial policy Ministry for Economic Development 21 Trans-European Networks Ministry Maritime Affairs, Transportation and Government appointed SEI as a coordi- Telecommunication nator, with assistance from the deputy 22 Regional policy and coordination of Secretariat for European Integrations prime minister for European integrations, structural instruments and the following ministries in charge of 23 Judiciary and fundamental rights Ministry of Justice particular areas: Ministry of Justice for 24 Justice, freedom and security Ministry of Interior Affairs and Public Administration Democracy and Rule of Law, Ministry of 25 Science and research Ministry of Education and Science Human and Minority Rights Protection - 26 Education and culture Ministry of Education and Science Human and Minority Rights and Foreign 27 Environment Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Protection Affairs Ministry for Regional Issues and 28 Consumer and health protection Ministry for Economic Development International Obligations. 29 Customs union Ministry of Finance /Customs Administration As for the economic criteria, the 30 External relations Ministry for Economic Development / Ministry of coordinator will be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finance, with assistance of the deputy 31 Foreign, security, defence policy Ministry of Foreign Affairs prime minister for economic policy and 32 Financial control Ministry of Finance finance. 33 Financial + budgetary provisions Ministry of Finance V.@.

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 1 21 N G O a c t i v i t i e s / G e t t i n g a c q u a i n t e d w i t h E u r o p e a n U n i o n F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 9

To the heads of states and governments of the EU countries and USA; NON - GOVERNMENTAL to European Union, United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE; ORGANISATIONS to international organisations for the protection of human rights and IN EUROPEAN UNION the general public we direct this

A P E A L EUROPEAN We urge all free citizens and the above institutions to support our appeal and expres- VOLUNTEER sions of protest in the case of Professor Milan Popovi}. On the 25.02.2009, while he was lecturing at the University of Montenegro, Professor CENTRE Popovi} received the summons by the Supreme State Prosecutor to appear before the Department for the Fight against Organised Crime, Corruption, Terrorism and War Crimes he European Volunteer Centre is a European network of currently 65 mainly national and within 48 hours because of his article Revolutionaries, published in the daily Vijesti. T regional volunteer centres and volunteer devel- In this article, Popovi} reiterated his earlier claims that in the case of Montenegro there opment agencies across Europe. are serious indications not only that organised crime is closely related to some of the state Together with its members, the network authority structures, as noted in the reports by the European Commission, but that (quote) works to support and promote voluntary activ- "organised crime is the state authority, led by the most powerful man in Montenegro, the ity by enhancing the social, economic and oligarch, tycoon and prime minister Milo \ukanovi} and his clan" (end of quotation). political foundations necessary for its further Popovi} was interrogated by the Supreme State Prosecutor although he is not part of affirmation. any criminal organisation or an insider that might poses operative evidence on organised The Centre channels the collective prior- crime and corruption which, according to the latest reports by the European Commission ities and concerns of its member organisations to the institutions of the European Union. It also and US State Department represent an obstacle to reforms and democratisation in acts as a central forum for the exchange of pol- Montenegro. icy, practice and information regarding volun- Professor Popovi} only repeated the well known evidence that suggests a certain link teering that may contribute to its affirmation between Milo \ukanovi} and his close collaborators and some of the heaviest crimes in inthe countries in which its members are active. the recent Montenegrin history: from deportations of the Bosnian refugees and ethnic The vision of the European Volunteer cleansing in Bukovica to the smuggling of cigarettes and unresolved murders, to shady pri- Centre is a Europe in which volunteering is cen- vatisation deals and financial transactions. Prime Minister \ukanovi} was already interrogat- tral in building a cohesive and inclusive society ed before foreign and national judicial authorities on account of several above accusations. based on solidarity and active citizenship. Its mission is to create an enabling political, social Many of these cases were never processed before Montenegrin courts. and economic environment in Europe for the Montenegro has been suffering for years form a crisis of the rule of law: while numer- full potential of volunteering to be realized. ous criminal cases remain unsolved, critically oriented individuals are constantly tried and Objectives of the European Volunteer interrogated. The case of professor Popovi} , together with numerous processes against the Centre are: journalists, media, NGO activists and other political dissidents, as well as shadowing and - To promote and win recognition for volun- wiretapping, is only another attempt to pressure and frighten those who point out the fatal teering as an expression of active citizenship link between the government, crime and corruption that has seized the Montenegrin state. in Europe to the general public, the media, businesses and policy-makers on all relevant We urge you to condemn this violation of the right to free public speech and thus, levels of government - To act as a bridge for communication at least symbolically, contribute to the conquest of freedom in Montenegro. between volunteer organisations and the work of the European institutions 1. Bal{a Brkovi}, writer - To develop policies and promote and support 2. Dr Vjera Radovi} Begovi}, professor, University of Montenegro the role of volunteering infrastructure in 3. Vanja ]alovi}, executive director, NGO MANS advancing volunteering as an expression of 4. Ervina Dabi`inovi}, peace and gender activist active citizenship in Europe 5. Goran \urovi}, executive director, NGO CDNGO - To serve as a knowledge and research 6. @eljko Ivanovi}, executive director, daily Vijesti resource for volunteering in Europe 7. Jelena Jaukovi}, University of Montenegro - To promote innovation and good practice in the field of supporting and reinforcing volun- 8. Dr Svetozar Jovi}evi}, professor, University of Montenegro teering, participation and active citizenship 9. Dr Jelisaveta Kalezi}, professor, University of Montenegro through exchange, structured dialogue and 10. Dr Filip Kova~evi}, professor, University of Montenegro network-building 11. Ljupka Kova~evi}, executive director, NGO ANIMA - To develop strategic partnerships and alliances 12. Esad Ko~an, editor in chief, weekly Monitor with key stakeholders across all sectors 13. Milka Tadi} Mijovi}, executive director, weekly Monitor - To increase and diversify its membership 14. Stevo Muk, president of the board of directors, Institute Alternative - To maintain efficient management of the 15. Sne`ana Nik~evi}, journalist, RTCG organisation 16. Dr Miodrag Perovi}, professor, University of Montenegro Together with its members, European Volunteer Centre represents the voice of volun- 17. Mom~ilo Radulovi}, secretary general, European Movement in Montenegro teers in Europe, strengthens volunteering infra- 18. @arko Rak~evi}, entrepreneur structure and promotes volunteering making it 19. Radmila Stojanovi}, activist and journalist more effective. 20. Daliborka Uljarevi}, executive director, NGO CCE More about this organisation can be 21. Dr Ilija Vujo{evi}, profesor, University of Montenegro found at: www.cev.be 22. Dragoljub Du{ko Vukovi}, journalist 23. Aleksandar Sa{a Zekovi}, researcher of human rights' violations Prepared by: Petar \UKANOVI]

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entre for the Study of Global tice in the context of European inte- eedduuccaattiioonn CGovernance - London School of grations and the recently founded n the framework of their joint Economics and Political Science and Coalition for Regional Commission Iproject "Corruption in Education" Belgrade based Foundation for for Establishing the Facts about War Centre for Civic Education and Humanitarian Law organised on the Crimes and other Grave Human Centre for Monitoring, with support 07.01.2009 a one-day seminar titled Rights Violations in former Yugoslavia of the Government of the Republic "European Integrations and Transitional (Coalition for RECOM). of Germany organised a training Justice: From Retributive to Restorative The conference also aimed to seminar for high-school professors in Justice". The goal of the seminar was discuss how restorative approaches order to involve them more actively to provide a critical appraisal of the to transitional justice can be inte- in the fight against corruption in European Union conditionality policy grated more closely with the higher education though their work in the Western Balkans. process and aim of European inte- with high-school students. This one-day conference also gration of the Western Balkans, and The participants were intro- duced to the findings of the proj- provided critical assessment of ret- identify possibilities for EU's institu- ect thus far and the CEE Project ributive strategies of transitional jus- tional support for comprehensive Associate Violeta Marniku spoke tice favored by the European Union, transitional justice approach in the on behalf of the Centre about the examined the need for restorative region. Centre for Civic Education campaign that was conducted approaches, and analysed opportu- was represented at the conference within the project as well as the nities for support to civil society ini- by its executive director, Daliborka results of the study on the legal tiatives in the field of transitional jus- Uljarevi}. framework governing the work of universities in Montenegro. Efnpdsbdz!Tdippm!dpoujovft BBrriittiisshh MMPPss entre for Civic Education, with been implemented. It offers insights mmeeeett NNGGOO Csupport of Friedrich Ebert into theoretical background, compar- Foundation completed the admission ative practices, as well as the arts and rreepprreesseennttaattiivveess procedure for the XIII generation of skills of implementing democratic uring their recent visit to Democracy School. In the next four principle in the everyday life, espe- DPodgorica British MPs Roger months, 25 new participants will cially in the political sphere. Berry (head of the delegation), have a chance to learn about the The School is the oldest pro- Stephen Hepburn, David Chaytor, theories and practices of democracy. gramme of alternative education in Lord Lea of Crondall and Nigel Democracy School is dedicated this format in Montenegro, and in Evans met with the representatives to understanding the idea of democ- the last twelve generations 283 citi- of the civic sector on 17.02.2009 in racy and ways in which this idea has zens of Montenegro have success- the British Embassy. On this occa- fully completed the sion, Montenegro's civic sector was course. Most of the represented by Daliborka Uljarevi}, participants come from executive director of Centre for the ranks of NGO Civic Education, Mom~ilo Radulovi}, activists, political par- secretary general of the European ties, journalists, local Movement in Montenegro, Vanja administrations and ]alovi}, executive director of MANS and Savo Kentera, secretary general ministries, students and of the Atlantic Club of Montenegro. others who are interest- They presented their views on the ed in becoming politi- processes of European and Atlantic cally active and con- integrations as well as the many tribute to the develop- challenges that Montenegro is facing ment of democracy in in the process of democratisation. Montenegro.

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F O R T H I S I S S U E W E R E C O M M E N D :

Buckley-Zistel, Ph.D. (Free University cants with a research project in the Berlin), Elizabeth Cole, Ph.D. (United area of the Politics of European and States Institute of Peace, Washington Regional Integration. D.C.) and Magdalena Zolkos, Ph.D. The programme is conducted entirely (University of Western Sydney). in English and will be taught by mem- Renowned professionals and experts bers of the university's multi-national such as Daniel Libeskind (architect, faculty. No tuition fees are charged and New York) and Albie Sachs (judge, a number of fully funded three-year Constitutional Court, South Africa) will scholarships will be awarded to the give accompanying evening lectures. top-ranked applicants. Scholarships will The Irmgard Coninx Foundation will be augmented by 50% for authorised cover travel and accommodation costs. research periods spent abroad. At least For details, please visit our website: 50% of the admitted candidates will be TH www.irmgard-cconinx-sstiftung.de offered scholarships. XI BERLIN ROUNDTABLES For inquiries, please contact us: Application deadline: March 31, 2009 ON TRANSNATIONALITY [email protected] For the application forms and further MEMORY POLITICS: details concerning the PhD programme, PHD PROGRAMME IN please consult our website http://por- EDUCATION, MEMORIALS INTERNATIONAL STUDIES tale.unitn.it/drsis/, or write to: PhD AND MASS MEDIA This highly structured multidisciplinary Programme in International Studies, organized by the Irmgard Coninx programme is composed of a minimum University of Trento, via Verdi 8/10, I- Foundation in cooperation with the Social of 200 hours of coursework. Students 38100 Trento, Italy, [email protected] Science Research Center Berlin (WZB) follow a common curriculum in Email: and the Humboldt-University Berlin. International studies, methodology, 50 successful applicants to the essay research design and history, and attend FELLOWSHIPS AT THE competition will be selected to partici- advanced seminars in their major and IWM IN VIENNA/AUSTRIA pate in the Berlin Roundtables on minor subjects, chosen from amongst ROBERT BOSCH Transnationality and to discuss their the disciplines of Economics, Law, and research with prominent scholars at two Politics & Society. The coursework is FELLOWSHIPS of Europe's leading research institu- concentrated in the first year, with the for junior and senior scholars tions. The Roundtables take place at third semester being devoted to the Application deadline: April 30, 2009 the WZB from 21 - 26 October 2009. completion of the research proposal. At Applications are accepted from Deadline for essay submission: 30 June least one semester must be spent researchers who 2009. abroad for research. - are citizens or permanently reside in An international jury will award a The school invites applications across one of the following countries: three-months fellowship to three par- the whole range of disciplines compris- Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, ticipants to be used for research at the ing international studies but particular- Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo, WZB, the Humboldt-University Berlin ly encourages students who intend to Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, and the State library of Berlin. The carry out research in the following Serbia, Slovenia, Grant includes a monthly stipend of areas: European and International - or are affiliated to a university or EUR 1,000 plus accommodation. The Politics; European, Comparative and research institution in the region, winners will be invited to join a follow- International Law; Open Economy - or who pursue research on South- up workshop in Berlin in 2009/2010. Macroeconomics, International Trade Eastern-Europe Discussions will take place in three and International Financial History. One For further information go to: workshops chaired by Susanne scholarship will be reserved for appli- www.iwm.at/fellowships.htm

EIC Bulletin -EEuropean pulse is electronic magazine established within EIC programme, with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. The publisher is Centre for Civic Education. EIC Bulletin -EEuropean pulse is registered with the Ministry for Culture and Media as item No. 578 Editor in Chief: Vladan @ugi} Editorial Board: Vera [}epanovi}, Daliborka Uljarevi}, Ne|eljko Rudovi}, Dragan Stojovi}, Vladimir Vu~ini}, Petar \ukanovi} Tehnical Editor: Bla`o Crvenica; Language Editor: Milena Milunovi}; English Language Editor: Maja Mugo{a; Translation: Vera [}epanovi} Njego{eva 36 / I Tel / fax: + 381 81 / 665 - 112, 665 - 327 E-mmail: [email protected] EIC Bulletin -EEuropean pulse can be downloaded at the www.cgo-cce.org

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