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 3 , A p r i l 2 0 0 9

IINNTTEERRVVIIEEWW Ambassador of Montenegro in Brussels, Slavica Mila~i}

AANNAALLYYSSEESS The hidden message of Brussels' decision to consider application

EEUU CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEESS The timber of contention between European Parliament and FFOOCCUUSS OOFF TTHHIISS IISSSSUUEE member states How will the economic crisis influence European integration of Montenegro F o r e w o r d / C a l e n d a r A p r i l , 2 0 0 9

Twinning project for the police (2 April) - the European Commission will finance a twinning project "Fight against organised crime and corruption" worth 1.2 mil- lion euros. "the goal of the project, which is to last 15 months, is to strengthen the operative, technical and professional capacities of Montenegrin institutions involved in the fight against organised crime and corruption and to strengthen inter-agency cooperation" said the director of the Police Directorate Veselin Veljovi}. The beneficiaries of the project will be the Police Directory as the main partner, as well as the agencies for the prevention of money laundering and for anti-corruption initiative.

Negotiations on the joint translation of acquis (6 April) - Deputy prime minister Gordana \urovi} announced that the Government is negotiating with the neigh- FFIISSHHEERRIIEESS bouring countries on "several joint projects to translate EU regulations". ccording to the Financial Times jour- Green light to application (7 April) - Committee of permanent representatives of Analist Tony Barber, it was pure polit- ical cowardice that led the governments EU member states (COREPRE II) gave a green light to Montenegro's application. of European Union member states to approve Montenegrin application at the Revision of NPI (9 April) - National programme for European Integrations of the Council of EU ministers for fisheries, in Government of Montenegro (NPI) will be revised by the end of the year, order to avoid publicity. announced the head of the Secretariat for European Integrations Ana Vukadinovi}. In my opinion, at the moment She said that since the EU regularly updates its I

when a majority of European citizens is T legislation it also increases the number of regu- S E J I

opposing further enlargement, the deci- V

lations to be considered by Montenegro on its o t

sion was rather an expression of politi- o road to membership, which is why this strategic h cal wisdom. p document also needs periodical revision. Had there not been similar, appar- ently cowardly moves on the part of the EU in the past, which were often con- Abolish visas (10 April) - Heads of diplomacies sidered "rotten" compromises, it is of eight EU member states asked the EU to uncertain whether and in what shape adopt, without further delays, a decision to the EU would exist today. Would its cit- abolish visa requirements for West Balkan izens still be enjoying the fruits of a countries. These were the contents of a letter common, free market, regardless of all signed by the Foreign Affairs ministers of the shortcomings and weaknesses of Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, such Union? Slovakia and Slovenia and addressed to the All that matters to Montenegro is vice-president of the European Commission that the formal decision of the Council Jacques Barrot, Enlargement Commissioner Olli for Fisheries means moving forward along Rehn and the head of Czech diplomacy Karel the road to full membership in the EU. Right now the winning coalition Schwarzenberg. should form the government as soon as possible. Little interest in the elections (15 April) - According to the Eurobarometer, a The famous Questionnaire will record 66% of Europeans could ignore the elections for the new assembly of the probably be sent by the European European parliament. Only 17% of Poles plan to vote, which is the lowest per- Commission in July, and it will be a great centage in the EU, followed by Austrians (21%), Brits (22%), while 43% of the test for the contested Montenegrin Germans and 47% of French and Dutch citizens are planning to go to the polls. administration. A majority of voters will turn out for this election only in Malta ( 56%), Denmark Instead of sharpening their pens to and Luxemburg (62%) and Belgium (70%). In Belgium and Luxemburg voting is answer the Questionnaire, public offi- mandatory. cials are still putting together the Government over a coffee break while Looking ahead (23 April) - The Council of EU for agriculture and fisheries, in line the ministers and directors of numerous agencies and directorates nibble on the with the procedure defined by the Article 49 of the Treaty on EU urged European fish and their own nails wondering Commission to submit an opinion on Montenegro's application. whether they will be directors and min- isters again. The opinion takes 12 to 16 months (24 April) - European Enlargement There should be wisdom also in the Commissioner Olli Rehn said that EC's Opinion on Montenegro's application to decisions of the ruling coalition - this is acquire membership candidate status will be ready in 12 to 16 months. He said no time to spin nepotistic combinations, that the Council's decision to consider Montenegro's application was a "result of reward the loyal party members or hag- great effort on the part of its people and leaders". gle over every seat. V.@.

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//////// their weight is not so big - it is half defined its role now that it has of Poland by population. The reunited. It was easier before, when problem is, however, that although we had the East-West division. ome of the these countries are smaller than Now we have to redefine our role, SEuropean Poland alone judged by their pop- and it very much depends on our- Union member ulation, in terms of the number of selves. We need to define our rela- states are indi- votes in the Council or the number tions with the United States, with cating that this of MEPs, their weight will be much Russia, in a greater context with is not the right greater. China, and so on. Personally I'm convinced that One of the mistakes of the by dr Erhard Busek the current voting weight reparti- Lisbon Treaty is that it will hardly tion, as well as the lack of qualified change anything in the work of the moment to proceed with enlarge- majority vote in most of the situa- Council of EU. ment commitments. This is linked tions, is the real background of The crucial question is: is to the fact that the Lisbon Treaty these hesitations. Europe able to act as Europe? Or has not yet been enforced, and also The efforts and aspirations of are we still to be divided, with The real background of hesitations surrounding EU enlargement is Great Britain aligning with the the current voting weight repartition, as well as the lack of qual- United States, with a German- ified majority vote in most of the situations French coalition and so on? This, at the moment, is our biggest problem. the mindset for future enlargement these countries are creating the My personal opinion is that in some member countries is not pressure for changing the systems in besides Croatia, there could be a yet quite clear. the European Union. bloc of entering countries. Because So for the EU countries that are It has nothing to do with the real danger - and we have to reluctant, before they can solve region, because it's completely learn from the experience of their internal problems, they are clear for all member states that all Slovenia and Croatia - is that one telling the countries you men- the Western Balkan countries country blocks the neighbouring tioned: please, don't do it now! Besides Croatia, the West Balkan countries should join EU as one There's the fact that in block. Because the real danger - and we have to learn from the Germany at the moment the elec- experience of Slovenia and Croatia - is that one country blocks the tion campaign is blocking every- neighbouring country because of bilateral problems thing and the Germans are reluc- tant to discuss the issue. Populists should become members of the country because of bilateral prob- are campaigning out of enlarge- EU. lems. It's a real nonsense, and I ment, but the real background is Decision-making in the EU has think it's better to do it all together. not the enlargement, it is problems in some sense become more diffi- stemming from illegal migration, the cult since the accession of the for- Excerpts from an interview for financial crisis and so on. mer socialist countries. It obviously EurActiv (The author is the special I'm happy that these countries makes a difference if there are 12 advisor on enlargement to the are pushing for their accession, or 27 or more discussants in a Czech EU Presidency and the for- because it's creating a healthy pres- room. mer special coordinator of the sure. These countries are in the But I think it's even more com- Stability Pact for South-EEastern courtyard of the EU anyway and plicated, because Europe has not Europe)

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W H A T W I L L B E T H E I M P A C T O F E C O N O M I C C R I S I S O N E U R O P E A N I N T E G R A - T I O N O F M O N T E N E G R O Uif!spbe!up!FV!jt!qsjdfmftt//////// tion by 18% because of EU European Union haven't changed. requirements and then announced The reforms must continue... For espite of that it will not employ any more me, this is a fundamental issue and Dthe possi- people imagines to produce equal this is what we are concentrating ble effects of results regarding European integra- on right now. The outcome is hard the global eco- tions under both scenarios. to predict, though. It is still early, nomic crisis on Dr Rado Genorio, State maybe we will know the answer by Montenegrin Secretary of Slovenia explains that the end of this year, maybe by the the real question is not whether summer next year", said Genorio by Danilo Mihajlovi} the crisis will slow down the for the European Pulse. process of Montenegro's integra- He said that for some coun- state, the Government will have to tion, but to what extent it will tries the biggest problems will be find a way to continue with social affect the dynamics of internal that they are "unable to keep up reforms if it still wishes to advance reforms. the pace of reforms, and their road closer to European Union (EU). He warns that the situation is to European Union depends on it", Lack of funds, difficulties with not easy, that other countries of "You see Serbia with the 'stand public administration, concern for the Western Balkans have to deal by' package of the International the already fragile national with the same problem, and that Monetary Fund worth three billion economies of the West Balkan he expects the solution to appear euros, Bosnia and Herzegovina countries doesn't seem to touch the towards the end of the year. negotiating their own, we'll also EU officials too much - they insist "The rules of accession to see whether Croatia will apply for that the financial crisis cannot be an excuse to discontinue reforms. Many analysts and politicians, however, suggest that the EU itself uses the crisis as a pretext to halt further enlargements, and that its officials simply cannot bring them- selves to admit that this year the enlargement slid well into the back of the agenda. Western media was eager to point out the "cowardice" of EU governments whose Council, "anx- ious because of the enlargement, agreed to consider Montenegro's application at a meeting of EU Ministers of Fisheries", in order to "avoid publicity". Brussels is still airing encourag- ing messages that this part of Europe has not been forgotten, but sooner or later somebody will have to explain how a state that first decided to increase its administra- Rado Genorio

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help from IMF once the tourist T S E J I season is over. We don't know the V

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size of the problem yet, it will h become clearer in September or p October... Knowing the situation, I would not dare to prophesise and give you any concrete answers", Genorio explained. He added that when he thinks about this issue, he always remem- bers the process that Slovenia went through with EU between 1998 and 2002. "That was the time we really managed to generate intensive reform dynamic. We could afford to do that since our GDP grew by 5% annually throughout that peri- od. Had it been negative, every- thing could have been different... I repeat, right now it is very difficult to speculate about the future, but everything should become crystal clear by October", says the man who lead his country into the elite @ivorad Kova~evi} European club. In the process of European disturbance at the moment" of the clearer. You know, it is very diffi- integrations Montenegro, like all plans for the European integration cult to accomplish this process other membership candidates and process set forth in the National without a multitude of hands, potential candidates, has to create plan of integrations. without a team. But that's just Between 1998 and 2002 Slovenia managed to generate intensive what she said - at the moment", reform dynamic. We could afford to do that since our GDP grew warned Genorio. by 5% annually throughout that period. Had it been negative, He also disagrees with those everything could have been different, says Rado Genorio who argue that in the times of cri- sis and economic recession in the new institutions, which often Genorio agrees with \urovi}'s EU the fears of its citizens for their means an increase in the number assessment that this decision will own jobs and the possibility of of public servants. According to the not disturb Government's plans "at immigrant inflows in the case of National Programme of Integrations the moment". further enlargement could slow (NPI) the Government planned to "She said 'at the moment', and down and complicate the path of increase the number of public that's correct. We have the the Western Balkans to EU mem- employees by 18%, from 6.400 to EU will understand that some promises made by the national gov- 7.600 in the five-year period from ernments about the future integration process will not be immedi- 2008 to 2012. ately fulfilled because of the crisis. Thus I don't see the reason for In the meantime, the execu- a direct impact of this crisis on the pace of accession of individ- tive adopted a decision to curb ual countries, except for a more general effect on decision-mmaking spending, which means, among in Brussels, says @ivorad Kova~evi} other, a cap on employment in administration. Council's decision and we'll wait bership. Deputy prime minister Gorda- to see how will Montenegro "One Montenegro on the na \urovi} recently said that this respond to the Questionnaire. European labour market means decision "does not cause significant Then everything will become nothing. Even if the whole country

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 3 5 F o c u s o f t h i s i s s u e A p r i l , 2 0 0 9 moved tomorrow to Europe or the US it would not cause a problem for a market of half a billion peo- ple", Genorio said. Former Yugoslav diplomat and president of the European Movement in Serbia @ivorad Kova~evi} believes that global eco- nomic crisis has no particular effect on the process of Montenegro's rapprochement with EU, but that its overall impact could slow down the prospects of EU enlargement. "The discussion is ongoing. High-ranking EU officials - President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, missioner Olli Rehn - believe that economic crisis - in other words, foreign policy representative Javier EU enlargement should not there is no particular reason to Solana and the Enlargement Com- become a scapegoat of the global slow it down. I believe we should only think in those terms", he said. He added for the European TTHHEE WWOORRLLDD BBAANNKK SSEEEESS TTHHEE Pulse that he does not believe that the crisis can greatly affect the way BBRRIIGGHHTT SSIIDDEE OOFF TTHHEE CCRRIISSIISS in which things develop within he global economic crisis could also have a positive impact on the reforms Montenegro. Tand European integrations process in Montenegro. Its economy will no The crisis as such will not slow longer be able to rely on foreign investments and will have to turn to eco- down the integration process and nomic development based on its own strengths and resources. This could lead it has no specific impact on differ- to an increase in competitiveness and fair market competition in the context ent countries, he explained. of integration conditionality which dictates fight against corruption, strengthen- "This process should not slow ing of administrative capacities, and the fulfillment of environmental and other down the enlargement since, after standards. all, the enlargement is about This is the gist of World Bank's advice, passed to the authorities in subtle reforms which are necessary for diplomatic terms by the head of the WB office in Podgorica Jan Peter Olters. He said that Montenegro, if the current forecasts are right, cannot avoid the road to EU" Kova~evi} said. having to come up with a new model of economic growth which would not He believes that the EU will be entirely dependent on foreign investments and loans and that any growth understand that some promises in the next few years will have to come from within and be based on inno- made by the national governments vation and increased productivity. about the future integration "There is not a single policy to achieve this, but a range of reforms togeth- process will not be immediately er with the improvement of business environment", Olters said. fulfilled because of the crisis since According to him, if there are no new enterprises entering the market, "all countries are in the same situ- everything should be done to improve the conditions for those already there. ation". "Such a programme is perfectly in line with the commitments undertaken "Which is why I see no reason by Montenegro with the goal of joining European Union", Olters said. He added that the biggest advantage of Montenegro compared to other for the crisis to have a direct countries of the region is its focus on European integrations, since in this way impact on the speed of accession it is easier to overcome and turn around the comparative disadvantages of a of individual countries, except for small country. the more general impact it has on "In a strange way the current crisis facilitates implementation of certain the decision-making processes in reforms, since the strengthening of public institutions, transparent and equal Brussels", he concluded. implementation of rules and regulations, as well as support for companies competing in the European market also have a clear economic dimension", The author is a journalist of the Olters said. daily newspaper "Vijesti"

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 3 6 A n a l y s e s A p r i l , 2 0 0 9

T H E H I D D E N M E S S A G E B E H I N D B R U S S E L ' S D E C I S I O N T O S T A R T C O N S I D E R I N G M O N T E N E G R O ' S A P P L I C A T I O N Ujnf!gps!b!ofx!qibtf

//////// for all and commitment to the freedom communication with Brussles, the suc- of expression are worth the effort. cess of which will determine whether It is becoming clear that the European Council will confirm the ontenegro Montenegrin society, and not only its application and decide to initiate mem- Mis entering ruling structures, has been moving clos- bership negotiations. the new stage in er to Europe. This is also recognised by The unwritten rules that can be the "race" to Brussels, and well expressed in the discerned from past practice suggest potential mem- reactions by the Enlargement Com- that the European Commission will bership in the missioner Olli Rehn to the announce- send Montenegro the Questionnaire ment that the application has passed within three months, to which the by Ne|eljko Rudovi} the preliminary test. Government is supposed to provide "The success of Montenegro is the substantial response in the following European Union, after the Council of result of great efforts by its people and four months. The Questionnaire con- EU decided, on 23 April, without dis- its leaders", Rehn said. tains about 4 500 questions regarding cussion, to proceed to consider This conclusion also carries a hid- the state of affairs in all areas of econ- Montenegro's application for a mem- den message that all "leaders" should be omy, politics, judiciary and public bership candidate status. aware of - Montenegro is a small soci- administration of Montenegro, and the However far the promise lies, the ety which ought to unite all of its cre- answers are to provide the indicator of incentive that Brussels sent to Podgorica ative forces if it is to achieve genuine the readiness of public administration on this occasion, in spite of earlier reforms, and if these reforms, which to weather the EU-Montenegro negoti- insinuations that Montenegro will per- are decisive for its future, are to be ations. haps have to wait until the end of 2009 implemented quickly and effectively. If the European Commission gives can be an important stimulus both for This means, among other, that the a satisfactory opinion, first the Council the government as well as for those in government mustn't treat the opposi- of EU and than the European Council the media, non-governmental sector, tion, critical media and the non-gov- decide whether to bestow the status of trade unions, opposition etc. who are ernmental sector as its enemies, but as a membership candidate upon fighting for Montenegro as a modern, potentially useful partners. It also Montenegro and hopefully decide on developed country. means that the government ought to the date for the beginning of negotia- The very fact that all EU members open up its horizons and stop inter- tions. recognised the fact that something is preting every public statement on the Based on prior experience (Croatia happening in Montenegro and that this part of socially responsible citizens of and FYR Macedonia) the unofficial country, once among the least devel- Montenegro as conspiracy theories assessment is that the Commission will oped regions of former Yugoslavia, is whose aim is to "overthrow the regime". take 14 to 16 months to formulate the making progress, is an encouragement This will be the test as to whether those opinion, and that the pace of the for all those who are not satisfied to who were given the mandate to lead process will greatly depend on the wait, but wish to contribute in their this country are really committed to its speed and quality of responses it own ways to putting their house in prosperity and to attainment of the two receives from Podgorica. order. strategic goals - Montenegro's mem- Deputy prime minister for The acceptance to start consider- bership in the EU and NATO. If we European integrations Gordana \urovi} ing application is only the beginning of managed to pool together all serious warns that "things will not be easy": a new stage, but also a sign that it political parties, university professors, "Most of the work on the Questionnaire could be crowned, in due time, with journalists and NGO activists, will have to be done in July, August the accession of Montenegro to the Montenegro could perhaps finally have and September. There will be fewer "elite club". The objections that the club a truly competent and visionary days of holiday for the people in is less and less elite are worth thinking Government. charge of coordinating the most impor- about, but it is undeniable that its That such cooperation is of utmost tant chapters, but I believe that we are objectives - the rule of law, clear and importance is confirmed by the upcom- all highly motivated and understand the straightforward rules which are equal ing challenges awaiting Podgorica in its importance of this task".

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M O N T E N E G R O ' S A M B A S S A D O R T O E U S L A V I C A M I L A ^ I ] B!vojgpsn!Rvftujpoobjsf!epft!opu!fyjtu

he head of Montenegro's mission I T S E

to European Union Slavica Mila~i} J I

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o said that there is no such thing as a t o h standard EC questionnaire, and the p questions are always adapted to the situation in the given country. Nonetheless, the questionnaires from Croatia and Macedonia are a good basis for preparations in Montenegro. Asked by European Pulse whether she could say, based on her communication with EC officials, how many questions that Montenegro gets will be identical to those received by Croatia and Macedonia, Mila~i} explained: "I spoke to my colleagues in the European Commission about the Questionnaire, and even though I cannot give you a precise answer to this, I would say that the question- naires sent to these countries will be a very good basis". According to her, the European Commission will use the latest Slavica Mila~i} Questionnaire and adapt it to Montenegro's needs, including the ing the process of answering the tion and explanations. new structure of the negotiations Questionnaire? Within the standard procedure, chapter and European legislation that In short, the Mission will try to after having received the Question- was adopted or developed in the strengthen communication with the naire the Commission conducts a meantime, as well as the specific relevant representatives of different comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the overall situation and capacities It is generally understood that Montenegro made substantial of the country to fulfil all political and progress in all four block of the Roadmap, and demonstrated economic criteria as well as the abil- openness and readiness to work towards full harmonisation of our ity to take on the obligations of EU system with EU standards in every aspect of this process. Thus I membership. It will also provide an believe that we can realistically expect Montenegro to be among assessment of the future development the first few countries to be proposed for liberalisation of the visa that can be realistically expected in regime Montenegro in the next few years. The opinion of the European questions and recommendations of directorates within the commission in Commission, the so-called avis will different Directorates within the order to clarify the demands con- also contain a recommendation about Commission. tained in individual questions, espe- the readiness of the country to begin "There is no uniform model of the cially those that are more complex or membership negotiations. Questionnaire, the questions are span several areas. The same is true The mandate of the current always based on the concrete situation about the process of answering the Commission is drawing to an end, of a given country", she emphasised. Questionnaire, either related to the and some Commissars are bound to What will be the role of the content of individual answers or the be changed. Will the same happen Montenegrin mission to Brussels dur- need to provide additional informa- on the level of the technical staff, and

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could this influence the speed with S E J I V which the Commission responds with o t o an opinion on Montenegro's mem- h p bership application. As a rule, when a Commissar leaves only his or her cabinet mem- bers are changed as well. Besides, the current Commissars will continue to perform their duties until the new ones are elected. This process should not influence the dynamic of European Commission's response to Montenegro's application for EU membership. The European Parliament could agree to the elimination of the visa regime with Montenegro in November, but even then some time will have to pass before all technical requirements are in order for Montenegrin citizens to be able to travel freely to the countries of the of the year for those countries that lish visa-free regimes, which will be Schengen zone. When can we realis- made substantial progress in fulfilling followed by consultations with tically expect this to happen? the conditions set in their Roadmaps. Member States within the working The process is still ongoing, and If this happens, the decision could groups of the Council. Then, upon at the moment there is a good come into force already in 2010. the proposal by the Commission, the chance that formal and legal proce- The European Commission will Council of EU decides on the aboli- dures for the abolishment of visa soon publish its second report on the tion of visa requirements. Before it regimes will be completed by the end readiness of these countries to estab- does so, the Council ought to consult the European Parliament. In other words, all this is still to happen, and we should first wait for AALLLL QQUUEESSTTIIOONNSS AARREE the Report, i.e. the opinion of the Commission. Nevertheless, it is gen- EEQQUUAALLLLYY IIMMPPOORRTTAANNTT erally accepted that Montenegro made substantial progress in all four It is also common for the European Commission to ask additional ques- block of the Roadmap, and demon- tions, usually related to the area of highest sensitivity for a given country. In strated openness and readiness to the example of Croatia most of the additional questions related to the coop- work towards full harmonisation of eration with ICTY. Can you think of the area that will be of special interest to our system with EU standards in EC and a source of additional questions in the case of Montenegro? every aspect of this process. Thus I At the moment I cannot think of any special area that would be the reason believe that we can realistically for additional questions to Montenegro. Such areas always exist, as we have expect Montenegro to be among the learned from the experience of other countries. Right now, however, I would rather not speculate about which area or areas this could be. first few countries to be proposed for The Commission asks additional questions if the answers provided are not suf- liberalisation of the visa regime. ficiently complete, clear or precise. In this sense, all questions are important and If this were the case, and provid- require equally professional and analytical approach. It is necessary to ensure a ed all legal and formal procedures uniform level of quality across all areas of the questionnaire as well as precise data. within the EU are completed by the It is nonetheless true that some questions, i.e. some areas are more complex, end of the year, Montenegrin citizens difficult or demanding. These are usually the questions related to the rule of law, may be able to travel to EU without reform of judiciary, administrative capacities as well as environment and agriculture. visas already in the beginning of next Recommendations from the latest Report by the European Commission on the year. progress of Montenegro as well as the European Partnership and meetings between European Commission and Montenegrin authorities are also a good indicator. V. @UGI]

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T H E S T A T U S O F M O N T E N E G R O ' S E U R O P E A N I N T E G R A T I O N S Xibu!dpnft!bgufs!uif!Rvftujpoobjsf@

//////// gration into EU into the background. wishes to become full member of EU. After Three years after it proclaimed inde- submitting its application, the state receives a pendence the status of Montenegro's integra- QUESTIONNAIRE from the European he West Balkan tion into EU is certain. Montenegro became Commission about the measures it needs to Tcountries an associated member of EU already in 2007, undertake in order to become an EU mem- received a clear after it signed the SAA and started implement- ber. The Questionnaire covers the full scope promise of a mem- ing the Interim Agreement. In December of state activities and the response usually bership perspective 2008, Montenegrin prime minister handed takes about six months. Croatia, for instance, in European Union Montenegro's application for EU membership received a questionnaire with 4650 questions, (EU) in mid-2003. to the French president and then president of and it is expected that Montenegro's ques- At the summit of EU, and it is now expected that Montenegro tionnaire will contain about 4000. will receive the status of a membership can- After receiving the answers to the by Vladimir Pavi}evi} didate in 2010. Questionnaire, the European Commission (EC) This article will further highlight the most formulates an avis (opinion)on the readiness of the heads of state and governments of EU important benchmarks that Montenegro has to the country to begin EU membership negoti- countries and countries of the Western go through in order to proceed from the sta- ations. The Council should endorse EC's opin- Balkans, held on 21 June 2003 in tus of an associated member to the candida- ion, which is legally non-binding, before the Thessaloniki, the representatives of both sides cy for full membership in the EU. country can receive the official status of a adopted a Declaration on Western Balkans candidate for membership in the EU. which states that all countries of the Western Membership candidacy The Council then schedules the official Balkans can become EU members once they start of negotiations with the country in ques- have fulfilled the necessary requirements. According to the provisions of the tion and issues a recommendation to EC to With an official declaration of the founding treaties of EU, every country can begin membership negotiations. In the mean- European perspective for these states, the EU aspire to become a member, provided it ful- time, the Commission develops a framework wanted to encourage their citizens and polit- ical elites to work more effectively on institut- With an official declaration of the European perspective for these ing stability among the countries of the region, states, the EU wanted to encourage their citizens and political fostering the rule of law and establishing a elites to work more effectively on instituting stability among the functioning market economy in every country of the region. countries of the region, fostering the rule of law and establishing Among all the countries that derived a functioning market economy in every country of the region from the dissolution of SFRY only Slovenia became a full EU member in 2004, while the fils a number of criteria required for member- for negotiations which, upon detailed consid- others still remain in the waiting hall of EU. ship. Before becoming a member, a country eration by the member states, is endorsed by Croatia has the status of an EU member- first receives the status of an associated mem- the Council of Ministers. ship candidate, it has been pursuing the ber, in preparation of complex obligations and Before opening the negotiations the accession negotiations and is expected to rights that are bestowed upon every new Commission conducts a screening, the process complete them in the course of 2010. member of EU. of evaluating the extent of harmonisation of Macedonia, in spite of all problems, An official membership application is the candidate country and EU legislations and received the status of a membership candidate submitted by an associated member that defines the areas where the candidate coun- in 2005 and is preparing to begin accession try mush still harmonise its regulations with EU negotiations. laws. The screening is conducted jointly by the Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate country and EC, whereby EC rep- signed the Stabilisation and association agree- resentatives describe each rule within the ment (SAA) with EU and are waiting for an community law and then in cooperation with opportunity to apply for membership, which is the national administration of the candidate the first step to becoming a candidate. Serbia county compare it to the country's legal sys- signed the SAA, but the agreement has not tem. This system of legal testing is in fact the come into force because of insufficient coop- analysis of harmonisation of the state laws and eration with ICTY. The process of Serbia's regulations with EU's acquis communautaire, association with EU has been further compli- whose result is an overview of legal instru- cated since on the 17 February 2008 the ments that the candidate country ought to Parliament of Kosovo adopted the proclama- develop in order to bring its national legisla- tion of independence. This event quickly tion in line with acquis. It also forms the basis brought the questions of Serbia's reaction to for membership negotiations between EU and Kosovo's declaration of independence to the the candidate country. In the last phase of the political limelight, relegating the debate on the screening the EU and the acceding country European perspective of Serbia and its inte- put forth their negotiating positions, before

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 3 10 P o l i c y A p r i l , 2 0 0 9

they embark on negotiations on the pace and to begin negotiations, it instructs the EC to ini- 5. Measures related to Justice and Home forms of legal harmonisation. Formally, the EC tiate negotiations for full membership. Affairs; is informed about the legal system of a coun- Croatia received its candidate country 6. International agreements signed by EU; try through the Questionnaire. status for membership in the EU in June 2004, 7. Agreements between member states The decision to begin negotiations in and began negotiations already in October regarding the scope of EU activities (con- adopted by the Council at a conference of 2995. Macedonia applied for membership in ventions); governmental representatives of EU member March 2005 and received candidate status in 8. Every country aspiring to EU membership, states, which is usually reserved for the most December 2005. However, in three and a half and Montenegro among them, ought to important, strategic issues in the EU, including years since Macedonia was not yet granted the accept the provisions of founding treaties enlargement. When the conference decides permission to begin membership negotiations. and adopt acquis communautaire. that an applicant country is sufficiently ready The start of membership negotiations is the EU membership negotiations are led by moment which irreversibly links one country the EU presidency (which changes every six to the EU, which suggests that in spite of its months) on behalf of the member states and NNEEGGOOTTIIAATTIIOONN candidate status Macedonia's integration in cooperation with EC. Once the negotiations process is slow and uncertain. Montenegrin are over, the EC drafts the Accession agree- CHAPTERS government should draw a clear lesson from ment between EU and the candidate country, CHAPTERS this, that in addition to the official candidate which must be approved by the Council and he chapters of acquis commu- status, it must lobby and insist in its contacts European Parliament. The Agreement is signed Tnautaire that Montenegro will with EU representatives to define the date of by the two parties, but in order to come into have to adapt to in the process of the beginning of negotiations clearly and as force it must first be ratified by the member EU accession are: soon as possible. states as well as the candidate country. It is up to the constitutional arrangements in different 1. Free movement of goods EU membership negotiations countries whether the ratification is conducted 2. Freedom of movement for workers by a vote in the national parliament or at a 3. Right of establishment and free- During this process the parties negotiate popular referendum. After the ratification dom to provide services on those commitments which were not previ- process is over, the candidate country 4. Free movement of capital ously included in the SAA, mostly deadlines becomes a full member of EU. 5. Public procurement for fulfilling the requirements necessary to From the moment of accession, the new 6. Company law acquire full membership. The conditions are member state is legally subject to all rights and set in advance, and the negotiations mostly obligations issuing from the Accession 7. Intellectual property law concern the pace of their implementation, Agreement and to the general EU legal frame- 8. Competition policy which depends on the capabilities of the can- work. The Agreement stipulates transition 9. Financial services didate country. The negotiations concern cer- periods for full implementation of certain rights 10. Information society and media tain areas such as participation in the work of and obligations, such as the free movement of 11. Agriculture and rural development Community institutions (number of MPs in the workers. 12. Food safety, veterinary and phy- European Parliament, number of votes in the The experience of Central and Eastern tosanitary policy Council of Ministers etc.), Common Europe, whose orientation towards the new 13. Fisheries Agricultural Policy, regional and structural poli- values after the fall of the Berlin wall was cies, Economic and Monetary Union and clearly defined and inspired by the idea of 14. Transport policy budget policy. membership in the European Community pro- 15. Energy Accession negotiations are mostly related vides us with a background to calculate the 16. Taxation to the third Copenhagen criteria, i.e. full time necessary for Montenegro to acquire the 17. Economic and monetary policy adoption of acquis communautaire, i.e. rights status of a full EU member. Based on the 18. Statistics and obligations of membership issuing from record of these countries and on the supposi- 19. Social policy and employment the fundamental treaties and EU legislation. As tion that Montenegro will be highly successful 20. Enterprise and industrial policy a rule, the negotiations proceed from the least in harmonising its legal and economic system controversial chapters to those of a more sen- with that of EU, the full membership for 21. Trans-European Networks sitive nature whose implementation requires Montenegro will be possible in 2017 at the 22. Regional policy and coordination establishment of a transitory period. On the earliest. of structural instruments EU side the negotiations are led by EC which Any delays in conducing an effective 23. Judiciary and fundamental rights provides annual assessments on the progress of fight against corruption, delays in the reform of 24. Justice, freedom and security the candidate country regarding its capabilities judiciary or public administration and lack of 25. Science and research for adopting acquis. solutions for the structural economic problems 26. Education and culture "Acquis communautaire" is a broad term could easily extend this period by a year of denoting all legal provisions within EU as well few. 27. Environment as rights and obligations of individual mem- According to the Reports on the Progress 28. Consumer and health protection bers, and it comprises: of Montenegro in the European integrations 29. Customs union 1. Content, principles and political goals of the process, annually prepared by the EC, the 30. External relations founding treaties; European values are yet to be firmly estab- 31. Foreign, security, defence policy 2. Legislation adopted for the purposes of lished in Montenegro's democracy. It is there- 32. Financial control implementation of the founding treaties and fore likely that the accession date will arrive 33. Financial and budgetary provisions rulings of the European Court of Justice; well after 2017. 34. Institutions 3. Declarations and resolutions adopted by EU; 4. Measures related to the Common Foreign The author is a lecturer at the Faculty of 35. Other and Security Policy; Political Sciences, University of Belgrade

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 3 11 E u r o p e a n b a r o m e t e r i n M o n t e n e g r o A p r i l , 2 0 0 9 Nz!dpsofs!pg uif!qmbofu

by Brano Mandi}

raise my deep involvement with Pthe very heart of the NGO sector in Montenegro, fortunate circum- stances and commitment of the organisers of another seminar brought me to Oslo, a capital which is not in the European Union since Norway anyway has plenty of fish and oil. I just returned from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they organised us a meeting with a Man in Charge of the Balkans. Next to him sat the Man in Charge of streets and in the bars that can give negro love being idle and leeching on Montenegro. The latter took half a us the right diagnosis of the system to the state money and that we love minute to remember in which form which we also aspire, at least in our them both and together like we love the Montenegrin state had a diplo- agendas. our coffee with mineral water. Even matic presence in Norway. It borders on madness that in our greatest poet from the heights of When it dawned upon him that Scandinavia state aid is considered Lov}en told us that its best drunk all consular hassle can be done at the some kind of disgrace. Living off the mixed. Serbian embassy the cold intermis- state, the ancient dream of our fore- Joking aside, if Europe is a place sion was over and we could move fathers is considered by the citizens where young people love to work on, to energy. This is where Norway of Oslo as something filthy, barely fit although they could afford not to work and slouch about pubs and If Europe is a place where young people love to work although hey communes on public money, we're could can afford not to work and slouch about pubs and com- talking a civilisational distance of munes on public money, we're talking a civilisational distance of 1000 years, forwards of backwards is 1000 years, forwards of backwards is not up to me to decide not up to me to decide, 'cause I'm not a philosopher. What is very good can, wants to and will invest and it for a handful of dubious Somalis, to see is that all immigrants chewing feels that Montenegro could be a Lirian queens of the night, a few on the Karl Johan street are happy partner. My indulging seminar-going Arabs and so on further East. that the state has enough money for personality prevented me from How many seminars are needed their mentality and their white sneak- engaging in a discussion on my native to change the attitude towards pub- ers that could never fit a white man country and its energy system. I don't lic property? I feel there's no hope so well. And the state does have the like such debates on the foreign ter- and that I won't live to see in this money, because a beer is 7 euros, a rain, especially if your position is that incarnation another receptionist like Lucky Strike ten and a barrel of oil of a laic and a consumer and you're the 20-year old Richard from hotel whatever it is these days, and all that not calm enough 'cause you're not Anker in Oslo, telling me that he social-democratically, with Protestant heating with wood and you're blam- loves to work, he wants to work and precision redistributed for the last 50 ing it all on Montenegro's electric couldn't live having the money and years. power monopoly and in no time no job. The limits of one's English do Norway is the best example that you'll become a quisling slandering not allow a man with self-respect to one doesn't have to be a member of his own country in the very home- engage in philosophical discussions European Union in order to be cul- land of the said traitor. on such occasions, but I really had to turally superior. Just like Montenegro Beyond conversations with min- explain to the young Richard can join European Union sooner or isters, it's the common people on the Worker's Heart that we in Monte- later and yet there's no EULEX on

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 3 12 E u r o p e a n b a r o m e t e r i n M o n t e n e g r o A p r i l , 2 0 0 9 this Earth that could drive away the nineties, entire Balkan generations coffee sippers on Hercegova~ka at all have gone to hell in the meantime working times from May to and their fear from journeys and November. changes is so thick you can cut it What is important is that this with a knife on every foreign airport concept of responsibility that one in the queues under the touching acquires in the early childhood is still sign "non EU citizens". nowhere to be seen in Montenegro. Abolishing visas is one of the In other words, if you have children, most important benchmarks Monte- tell them it's the best and smartest to negro has to wait for. It will be even have big balls and that they should more important than the date we always talk back, which then means enter the EU, even more important that they always talk and never listen than the holy Referendum. This will to others. This is the educational be the date when the better ones method that Montenegrins carry on among us will have a chance to inte- to every activity and thus the recruit- grate into the world to which they ment favours those whose parents have belonged since their birth. For and the media have been most per- the time being, we have the Joint severing in teaching them slogans and Application Centre where Monte- patting them on the back. On the negrins get their visas for EU coun- other hand, mister citizen who does fifth decade of their lives, which is tries, a place with rude staff and a not wish to become a stock market human. But if those people are to tell few scandals to its name. Which is guru or chess champion but a quiet us about the EU, it's better if we all also a picture of EU. It's a little puz- family guy with an average salary and keep quiet. zling that they feel no need to make this image more attractive for us but Norway is the best example that one doesn't have to be a mem- then again, seen that we've been ber of European Union in order to be culturally superior. Just like crooning under their windows for Montenegro can join European Union sooner or later and yet years, maybe it isn't necessary. there's no EULEX on this Earth that could drive away the coffee The summer terraces and the sippers on Hercegova~ka at all working times from May to croak of Norwegian seagulls are call- November. What is important is that this concept of responsibility ing out, so I'll finish this short report that one acquires in the early childhood is still nowhere to be seen in the Balkan manner, romantically in Montenegro and abruptly. Can't wait to go back to Montenegro and keep quiet about long weekends is the species under A single trip across the border the events of the journey. threat of extinction in this country, makes things a lot clearer. First of all, Share with nobody the wonder- and with him also a normal world- you can see that time is money and ful moments of proximity with anoth- view, middle ground between a pau- that nobody is waiting for er culture, colours and smells. per and a thief… while I'm just about Abolishing visas is one of the most important benchmarks to discover the wheel. Montenegro has to wait for. It will be even more important than To lighten up the tone a bit, let's the date we enter the EU, even more important than the holy say there's still hope. If every third Referendum. This will be the date when the better ones among us Montenegrin student goes abroad, will have a chance to integrate into the world to which they have maybe we'll have a chance. Linking up with the symbols and language of belonged since their birth the European streets, European insti- Montenegro. That the life goes on Preserve the picture of another world tutions, struggle against common differently, fundamentally embedded which tempts and frightens. places and prejudices which ought to in a paradigm which is still totally There's no place like home and be fought while your education is still alien to Montenegrins. It can also other party bullshit, it's after all true. financed by your parents is crucial for cause the sense of emptiness and the In that name, greetings from planning the seeds of future healthy feeling of not belonging to that world. Anker with a patriotic slogan - members of our tiny state. The lack is You've been waiting for ten years for Norway, my corner of the planet! painfully obvious if we only look at the permission to visit the continent some Montenegrin politicians. They they all claim is your own. Repenting The author is a journalist of the went abroad for the first time in the the sins of the slaughterers from the daily newspaper "Vijesti"

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T H E N E W P A R L I A M E N T A N D T H E N E E D F O R A D E M O C R A T I C A D V A N C E Ujnf!gps!b!ejggfsfou!sfmbujpotijq cfuxffo!nbkpsjuz!boe!njopsjuz

//////// ity of Government officials. quarters in Ro`aje though political Movement for Changes (MfC) was merger of four parties: International founded in July 2006. Its founders Democratic Union (IDU), Party of t the parlia- previously belonged to the non-gov- Democratic Action (PDA), Bosniak Amentary ernmental organisation Group for Democratic Council (BDC) and Party elections from Changes, which existed from 2003 to of National Equality (PNE). At the pre- 29 March 2009 2006. PZP has ties with the European vious elections BP ran together with Coalition Euro- People's Party. After the 2006 elections the Liberal Party, winning 2 parliamen- pean Monte- it held 11 seats in the Parliament of tary seats. negro - Milo Montenegro. A number MfC's officials Croatian Civic Initiative (CCI) is a and members left the party in 2009 to political party founded in May 2003 by Stevo Muk form Democratic Centre (DC), a party with the specific goal of promoting the \ukanovi} consisting of the which ran for the elections in coalition rights and freedoms of the Croatian Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), with the Liberal Party (LP) but failed to nationals in Montenegro. In 2006 Social-Democratic Party (SDP), pass the census. elections CCI ran together with DPS Bosnian Party (BS) and Croatian Civic Socialist People's Party was found- and SDP when it won one seat. Initiative (CCI) won 48 seats. Socialist ed in February 1998 after the internal Democratic Union of Albanians is People's Party (SPP) led by Sr|an Mili} division of DPS. Before the last elec- a party of Albanian minority founded won 16 seats, the New Serbian tions, SNP had 7 MPs in the in January 1994. Before the last elec- Democracy and its leader Andrija Parliament of Montenegro. In the 2006 tions it had one MP. One of its repre- Mandi} 8, Movement for Changes elections it ran together with NS and sentatives was also the Minister for headed by Neboj{a Medojevi} 5 seats. DSS and was a leader of the block of Human and Minority Rights. One seat each went to parties and parties advocating state union with The New Democratic Force - coalitions representing the Albanian Serbia. President of SNP is also presi- FORCA - a party of Albanians with national minority: Democratic Union dent of the National Council for headquarters in Ulcinj was founded in October 2005. In the previous elec- It is time to consider an alternative relationship between majori- tions it failed to pass the census. ty and minority in the Montenegrin Parliament Democratic Alliance in of Albanians and its candidate Ferhat European Integrations (NCEI). Montenegro and Albanian Alternative Dinosha with the, Nazif Cungu's Forca, Social-Democratic Party of won one seat each in the previous and Coalition of Democratic Council Montenegro was founded at the elections, while the Albanian Coalition Alliance in Montenegro and Albanian Congress uniting the SDPR and - Perspective made it into the Alternative with their respective candi- Socialist Party of Montenegro in June Parliament for the first time in this dates Mehmet Bardhi and Gjergj 1993. The party is a full member of year's elections. Camaj, as well as the Coalition the Socialist International since 1996. Constitution of the new assembly Perspective, led by Almir Hollaj. Before the elections, SDP had 7 MPs of Montenegrin Parliament is also a Democratic Party of Socialists is a in the Parliament of Montenegro and a chance to constitute a new relationship heir to the Communist League of number of officials in the Government. between the parliamentary majority Montenegro. Its current name dates New Serbian Democracy (NOVA) and minority. This time, the majority is from the 1992 Congress. Since 2008 was created in January 2009 though a likely to consist of the parties members DPS is a full member of the Socialist merger of the Serbian People's Party of the winning coalition plus the DUA. International. Before the elections, 33 (SPP) and People's Socialist Party Parliamentary minority, on the other MPs in the Parliament of Montenegro (NSS). hand, will comprise the three larger came from its rank, as well as the Bosnian Party )BP) was founded as parties - SPP, NSD and MfC as well as President and an overwhelming major- a party of Bosniak minority with head- the three smaller Albanian national

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parties, i.e. coalitions DAM and AA, Perspective and Forca. In the past, the ruling majority in the Parliament often used various forms of pressure, obstruction and dilution of proposals, initiatives and demands coming from the opposition. The opposition, on the other hand, often resorted to boycotts of plenary sessions as a means of pressuring the parliamentary majority and the Government, largely because of the abolishment of live broadcasts of par- liamentary sessions by the public serv- ice RTCG. Parliament of Montenegro It is now time to think of an alter- native form of relationships in the Montenegro and its symbols, rendering step towards overcoming of the current Montenegrin Parliament. During the their nomination unacceptable for such situation int he Parliament of constitution of the new assembly, and an important state office. Montenegro. The European Com- especially with regard to the appoint- In the previous assembly of the mission report on the progress of ment of deputy Speakers and presi- Parliament president of the Committee Montenegro ifor 2008 also warns that dents of parliamentary committees, the for Human Rights and Freedoms was "the Parliament is not making good use MPs should take seriously the recom- an MfC MP, whereas the Committee of its working bodies" and that "obser- mendations of the Parliamentary for Economy, Finance and Budget had vance of the Book of Regulations Assembly of the Council of Europe a president from the ranks of SPP. remains problematic. Moreover, the from the Resolution 1601 of 2008, During the election of presidents mechanisms of check and balances titled "Procedural guidelines regarding of the new parliamentary committees instituted by the Book of Regulations the rights and obligations of opposition the MPs should bear in mind that the are not sufficiently used. The work of in a democratic parliament". said Resolution of the Parliamentary the Parliament is still far from efficient Appointment of a deputy Speaker Assembly of the Council of Europe rec- and transparent, especially with respect from the ranks of the opposition would ommends, among other, the following: to timely scheduling of the agenda and be a new value and a democratic "Presidency over permanent com- submission of the relevant documents to parliamentary committees". Appointment of a deputy Speaker from the ranks of the opposi- The EC says further: "the Parlia- tion would be a new value and a democratic advance in the func- ment has made substantial improve- tioning of the Montenegrin Parliament ments in monitoring defence and secu- rity structures, which is a key priority of advance functioning of the mittees is allotted to the parliamentary the European Partnership. However, Montenegrin Parliament. Consensus groups based on proportional repre- there is still space for improvement between the parliamentary majority sentation: an MP from the opposition with regard to monitoring and control and minority on this issue would be a should preside over at least one com- of the key functions of these bodies. contribution to political culture, dia- mittee; presidency over the committees The monitoring function of the logue and respect for regulations. The in charge of monitoring the Govern- Parliament is remains generally weak". Book of Regulations of the Parliament ment, such as committees for budget Adoption and implementation of of Montenegro stipulates that one and finance, audit or monitoring of the said recommendations would be deputy Speaker should be elected, on security and information services should very much in line with the statements the proposal of the opposition, from be offered to an opposition MP". issued by the representatives of the the ranks of the opposition. This was, It would be very important to joint monitoring mission of OSCE and however, not the case in the previous ensure that, unlike in the practice so the Council of Europe after the last assembly of the Parliament, since the far, in the future the parliamentary parliamentary elections, which empha- majority refused the proposal to accept majority allows for equal treatment sised the importance of inclusiveness nominations of one MP from the ranks and debate of opposition's proposals in the post-election processes. of the Serbian List and vice president and drafts, as well as its initiatives to of the Serbian People's Party, with jus- fulfil Parliament's role as a check on The author is the president of the tification that these two parties did not the Government. Board of Directors of the Institute recognise the existence of the state of This would be a very significant Alternative (IA)

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Y O U N G P E O P L E I N M O N T E N E G R O S E E N O A L T E R N A T I V E T O E U FV-!nz!esfbn"

//////// it will come true. I am still happy because even here the values of EU are well under- have a dream - stood and people want to move in Isaid dr Martin the direction of the Union. The Luther King on change is therefore inevitable. Our 28 August 1963 Balkan habits are working against us, in front of some and indeed we are the biggest obsta- 250 000 people cle on our road to Europe. We will have to sacrifice ourselves, for the by Andrej Milovi} price of our sacrifice is small com- Martin Luther King pared to the goal we are striving fore. in Washington. If we want to change our country for demning even the future generations He had a dream. He dreamed of the better, we ourselves must change to the agonies of the 1990s and a life equality between blacks and whites. - the country cannot change on its with the same consequences we are Today, half a century later, without own if we remain the same. currently coping with. intending a parallel between myself and By joining the EU we remove all Therefore, my fellow students, let I dream of travelling without visas just like EU students do, I us do things differently. Let us show to dream of applying to one of the famous European universities, the grown-ups how to behave, how to approach work, let us invest in working in an EU institution... knowledge, work on ourselves con- Martin Luther King, but with a desire to the cultural, ideological and many stantly and never let any disappoint- emphasise the power of dreaming, I other barriers standing between us and ments take us off the right path. will tell you that I also have a dream. I developed Europe. By travelling and I believe that we ought to lead dream of Montenegro being a member meeting new people outside of our this country to European Union, to be of the European Union. Our Balkan habits are working against us, and indeed we are our- Perhaps my dream is less of a chal- selves the biggest obstacle on our road to Europe lenge than the one that led Martin Luther King. Still, many challenges lie homeland we broaden our horizons, the engine of the process, for we love ahead, not least of them the prejudices, establish connections and communica- this country and we wish it well. We our own selves, our habits and traditions tion with our peers, build new expe- have, I hope, finally understood that that stand between us and our dream. riences and perceptions from the very the homeland is best defended with As a student, I dream that with differences in the traditions and beauty, with honour and knowledge, the accession to EU I will become lifestyles and break away from our with life and good manners, to quote part of a big family of European states, Balkan single-mindedness and nation- the poet Ljubivoje R{umovi}, and not I dream of having the same status as alist limitations that deprived us from with nationalism and weapons. my colleagues from Milan, Paris, a carefree youth and took away thou- European Union is an ideal for all Berlin, Madrid, London... I dream of sands of lives. of us, the bright guiding star of all travelling without visas just like EU Our participation in the decision young people from Herzeg Novi to Ulcinj, from Pljevlja to Ro`aje, from Our participation in the decision making processes is the founda- Podgorica to Nik{i}. We want to see tion of a healthy process of moving our country forward our star among those 27. students do, I dream of applying to making processes is the foundation of There is no alternative to EU! one of the famous European universi- a healthy process of moving our ties, working in an EU institution... country forward. On the other hand, The author is a student at the Unfortunately, my dream is still our passivity can lead to a "long road Faculty of Administrative and Euro- only a dream and it is uncertain when to Europe", drag us all behind, con- pean Studies

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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 Xf!nvtu!dsptt!uif!sjwfs

//////// inferiority complex which they try to hide I believe that the real answer lies in with negative attitudes towards their own the history of European Union countries. acts or towards issues of identity. This is what makes me aware of the was born in The desire to enjoy the same rights, meaning of its existence and gives me a IMontenegro. In as a citizen of Europe, is stronger. The very clear answer to why I want to be its cit- the country with thought of immense opportunities I would izen. invaluable natural encounter and prise them open one by I know, there are challenges ahead. wealth, tireless one like birthday gifts, and learn incessant- The ship with a helmsman who awaits rivers, gorgeous ly, insatiably, wins over these petty, irrele- me and leads me, the citizen of mountain ranges, vant concerns and directs me towards the Montenegro into the waters of European greater goal. Every day I would have a Union. This time I will not hesitate, by Marko Sekuli} new task, a new journey, new victories, because the end is certain. As a citizen of sometimes also a call for joint assistance tiny Montenegro in European Union, a history in the spirit of the old age that across the invisible borders. citizen of Europe, I will expand my carved Montenegro out as an ecological But what will this responsibility con- knowledge and horizons, and than diva, a place where everyone can find his or her own place. I always believed that Montenegro has much to offer to enrich the Should this Montenegro be a part of culture of the European family of united peoples European Union, and all of us its equal citizens? Is Europe a closed fortress with- sist of, is it too much for me? Is it enough embrace them and share them with oth- out gates or bridges, which only angels to stay and help one family here, meet ers. Such harmony will not be an invisi- can reach? one's friends and waste each day of hope ble complex any more, or another fairy Someone whispered to me once that for a better tomorrow? tale somebody read to me before going bridges are everywhere, when this river Perhaps the answer is to stay forev- to bed - it will shape my life in all of its originated, at the moment of union and er and live here in the noose of the guises, the society will be able to breathe reconciliation, European Union rested on Western Balkans that gets tighter by the with full lungs again. overcoming its struggles from the late XX day. Never to say "I'm sorry" for the part Everything has its shortcomings too, but the balance will certainly be positive. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, but the balance I have spent my student life in this will always be positive European Union. I had a chance to share and early XXI century. This was part of a of this not-so-distant history which only in equal opportunities and yet preserve common, brave effort of all of its citizens, brought us war, destruction and sorrowful my difference and uniqueness. defiant economy, breathtaking stability memories. I always believed that Montenegro and unity that defies the "higher forces". has much to offer to enrich the culture of As such, the EU has become a world the European family of united peoples. player, consistent in its role and commit- In that name, the status of a citizen ted to a multi-national, ethnically harmo- of Europe is worth waiting in queues in nious society, promotion of human rights, front of embassies, persevering in the line freedoms, democracy, neoliberal trade, for "non-EU" and for a bit longer gather assistance and all other values that make the strength and complete the marathon this creation worthwhile. race. Such values cannot be imposed. Yet I am now living this dream, like a they exist right here, within my hand's traveller looking for an oasis for thirsty reach. All I need to do is to get to know caravans. When I find it, it will be a my partners from the other side who are dream no more, but reality, reality with- stretching their hands towards me, to out limits, filled with countless answers to assume responsibility in order to recog- the question "why". nise and improve these values now. I am certain that in the fight for the idea of The author is aspirant in the Ministry cooperation among European nations in for Economic Development of the such controversial contexts of, for Government of Montenegro. He attended instance, great economic diversity, many VIII generation of the European will falter. Some of them suffer from an Integrations School

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Hsbz!fdpopnz!po!uif!sjtf EEccoonnoommiicc ggoovveerrnnaannccee hile almost every other part of the and Development (OECD). WEU economy is declining because of The highest growth, 0.8 to 0.9% is he governments of EU member states the recession, one sector - the black mar- expected in Ireland, Great Britain and Twill receive 1.79 billion euros back ket - is starting to bloom, according to a Spain, whereas the lowest expectations for from the savings made in the 2008 com- research by an Austrian expert, Johannes the rise in gray economy are for Belgium, mon EU budget, the EC announced. Kepler. Austria and Germany. The Commission said the surplus According to this study, shadow The growth of gray economy in the was a result of "efficient budget man- economy - comprising untaxed trade in former communist states, now members of agement and continuous efforts to ask goods and services (i.e. cash payments in European Union, which have not been the members to only pay for what is construction or car repair, and excluding part of the research, is expected to be at strictly necessary", serious offences such as illegal trade in least as high, if not higher. Germany, the biggest contributor to drugs and prostitution) - should rise this If the predictions turn out to be cor- the EU budget, will receive 356.7 mil- year from 0.3% to 0.9% in the 14 richest rect, this will be the first turn upwards for lion euros. France will get 280.1 million, countries of EU which are also part of the shadow economy, after a steady decline of UK 270.7 and Italy 222.7. Organisation for Economic Cooperation 15 years. According to EU regulations, all money that remains unspent from the Community budget must be returned to Npsf!boe!npsf!vtfst!pg!#/fv# the member states. The total EU budg- et for 2008 was 116 billion euros. ig multinational corporations, small and Bmedium enterprises, as well as non- SSttoopp ddaannggeerroouuss governmental organisations, scientific insti- tutes and individual citizens all seem to be pprroodduuccttss rather enthusiastic about the new European internet domain ".eu", which is ccording to the European Commission more than confirmed by the register of Areport, 1 866 dangerous products were three million users, says the European withdrawn from the European market last Commission. year, 16% more than in 2007. This brings ".eu" to the fifth place Among the retracted products among the most highly ranked "national" most were toys (498), electrical appli- domains. The top of the list with 13 mil- ances (169), motor vehicles (160) and lion registered users goes to the Chinese textile products (140). Up to 909 prod- national domain ".cn", the second is occu- ucts were originally from China, and pied by the German ".de", the third goes EU presidency. The official address of the most dangerous products (205) were to British ".uk" and the fourth the Dutch website will be www.se20009.eu. discovered in Germany. ".nl". Registrations for the European inter- The greatest number of ".eu" users is net domain ".eu" started on 7 December IIssllaanndd wwaannttss in Germany, which accounts for 30% of all 2005 and was initially available only to registered users of the European domain. public administration bodies. Since March ttoo jjooiinn EEUU In the meantime, Sweden became 2006 it has also been opened for registra- the first EU member to create an official tion to EU citizens and EU-based organi- sland's prime minister Johanna page in the domain ".eu" for its upcoming sations. ISigurdardottir said that EU membership will be the first priority of her government if she wins the upcoming general elec- Csjubjo!jt!op!qbsbejtf!gps!dijmesfo tions. She believes this country will be able to adopt Euro within four years from ccording to a study conducted by the while the UK ranks on a low 24th place out the start of the new mandate. AUniversity of York, the standard of living of 29 countries analysed. Still worse are Island's membership in the EU is for European children is the highest in the Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia and one of the main issues in this year's Netherlands and Scandinavian countries, Malta. election campaign. The voters are high- The research deals with children and ly divided, as many worry that the youth up to 19 years of age, and the country will be unable to protect its researchers used 43 different criteria in their fisheries, which have become the key assessment, from mortality rates to the qual- sector of the economy since the finan- ity of housing. cial collapse last autumn. Britain's low ranking, in spite of its The latest public opinion polls leading position among the developed world shows that a great majority of Islanders economies is "primarily caused by the high wants to begin negotiations with the EU numbers of children living in families where - 64.2%, although at the moment only both parents are unemployed". 39.7% hopes to join EU.

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E U R O P E A N P A R L I A M E N T A N D M E M B E R S T A T E S H A V E D I F F E R E N T A P P R O A C H E S T O I L L E G A L L O G G I N G Xbmljoh!uif!qmbol

hile Montenegro is witnessing responsible for clearly indicating the Wboth re-forestation actions source of their products and the which are supposed to result in supplier of the timber through a 650 000 young trees being planted traceability system. all over the country and affairs Two years after the regulation shaking the Directorate of Forests enters into force, member states on account of alleged fraud and would have to ensure that all tim- mismanagement, the EU took a ber products on the EU market are step towards taking action against labelled with this information. illegal logging. Moreover, the Parliament's At the European Parliament move effectively criminalises illegal session of 22 April, the MEPs voted timber trading, obliging EU mem- in favour of stricter rules on timber ber states to impose financial report last year estimated that sold within the bloc's markets, penalties on operators in breach of almost a fifth of timber coming into including the introduction of sanc- the law. The co-legislators' amend- the EU market was from illegal tions against offenders. ments to the proposal stipulate that sources. The Parliament adopted a these penalties must represent "at However, while the Parliament report authored by Green MEP least five times the value of the has made quick progress by pro- Caroline Lucas (UK), strengthening timber products obtained by com- ducing its first-reading stance on the Commission's proposals on tim- mitting a serious infringement". the rules governing the timber ber trade. The adopted text also provides trade, the 27 member states are yet According to MEPs, all actors in for improved monitoring, urging the to present their views. The Czech the timber supply chain must be competent authorities to carry out Presidency is aiming to have a made responsible for ensuring that controls on the supply chain. In common position agreed upon by illegally-sourced wood does not case of infringement, these author- June, which would then be taken find its way to the EU market. ities should take "corrective meas- further by the Swedes, who assume The Commission originally pro- ures", such as "the immediate ces- the EU helm for six months in July. posed a one-off check by the sation of commercial activities" and According to EurActiv the rea- operator which placed timber on "the seizure of timber and timber son the negotiations where taking the market for the first time. The products," MEPs say. longer in the Council is that they Parliament, however, wants to The tough stance reflects the had taken a very different line make all traders and producers extent of the problem. A WWF compared to the Parliament. It said the Council had to tackle technical problems in the draft text, such as UUPP TTOO 4400%% OOFF TTIIMMBBEERR how to make the monitoring sys- tems and the organisations charged FFRROOMM IILLLLEEGGAALL LLOOGGGGIINNGG with overseeing compliance work together. aroline Lucas, Green MP in the European Parliament stressed that the EU "The Parliament's approach is Chad been preaching against illegal logging for many years, while simulta- neously providing one of the world's biggest markets for illegally-sourced tim- more ideological," said an unofficial ber and timber products. source argued, adding that the She said the extent of the problem was vast, with 20-40% of EU imports obligation for all operators to check coming from illegal sources. "That depresses timber prices, it strips natural the origin of their timber would resources and tax revenue, and it increases the poverty of forest-dependent place a heavy burden on the peoples", Lucas warned. industry. There is also a need to

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clarify whether the EU even had the competence to criminalise the use of timber from illegal sources, or whether this in fact fell under the jurisdiction of individual mem- ber states. A Swedish government official said, however, that while member states had different interests, as some are clearly importers of wood products and some are producers, the negotiating difficulties should not be exaggerated. "It is common that a complete- ly new regulation in an area that has not been regulated before takes time. I would be more worried if we had a clear position after just four months," she said. timber from third countries, includ- However, some member states, A source from a member state ing the UK and the Netherlands, on such as Bulgaria and Romania, are with a large forestry sector said the the other hand, face different prob- having problems enforcing legisla- problem for wood-producing EU lems. Illegal logging is mainly asso- tion to combat criminal activity in nations is often that they already ciated with tropical wood, while EU the sector. have well-functioning legislation countries in general have relatively Sweden is hoping to finalise the and monitoring systems to combat well-regulated timber markets. Even new timber legislation during its EU illegal logging in their own coun- if the monitoring system is relative- presidency, but has acknowledged tries. They are now worried that ly painlessly introduced for the lat- that there might be delays here, these might not be compatible with ter, it may be difficult or even because administrative processes the European framework, it said. impossible to track the origin of will need to be clarified once the Countries which import a lot of timber from some third countries. new Parliament is in place follow- ing June's elections. The EU first addressed illegal EEUU LLAAGGGGIINNGG BBEEHHIINNDD UUSS logging in 2003 when it published he EU, traditionally a front-runner in environmental legislation, is now lag- the Forest Law Enforcement Tging behind the United States in combating illegal logging. Governance and Trade Action Plan. Last year, the US extended its oldest wildlife protection law - the Lacey The document included provisions Act enacted in 1900 - to cover illegal logging. The law now makes it possi- to conclude so-called 'Voluntary ble to prosecute any actor dealing with illegal timber. Partnership Agreements' between The EU is discussing rules on timber trade under the wider umbrella of the EU and timber-producing deforestation and forest degradation, an area where it is actively promoting countries, and promoted public international action. The Parliament recently adopted another resolution, which procurement policies in favour of urges EU leaders to make sure that the new UNFCCC (United Nations legally-harvested timber. Framework Convention on Climate Change) climate agreement due to be The action plan contained only agreed in Copenhagen in December tackles deforestation. However, green groups have pointed out that there is a discrepancy voluntary measures, and did not between the EU's efforts to address deforestation and its slow action on ille- prove to be enough to halt the gal timber. entry of illegally-logged timber onto "The EU cannot drag its feet on timber laws while claiming that it is crit- EU markets. ical to address deforestation and forest degradation," says Sebastien Risso, EU Moreover, the EU has so far forest policy director at Greenpeace. only concluded one such partner- He added that the EU's credibility would be on the line should it fail to ship, with Ghana. speed up the adoption of legislation to combat illegal logging and regulate tim- ber markets. V.[.-VV.@.

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S T A T E M E N T O F T H E C Z E C H E U P R E S I D E N C Y O N W E S T E R N B A L K A N S Gptufsjoh!uif!joufhsbujpo!npnfouvn

t is necessary to "foster the integra- the Western Balkan countries is a Ition momentum" of the West key element of the Stabilisation and Balkan countries while, at the same Association Process. It contributes to time, each country's progress a shared understanding in the region towards the European Union must and to finding solutions for issues of be based on "individual merits and common interest, such as in the rigorous conditionality, guiding the fields of energy, transport, trade, necessary political and economic fight against organised crime and reforms". corruption, refugee return and bor- These are the conclusions of the der control. In this context, the par- statement of the Czech EU presi- ticipants commended the first year dency issued on the occasion of an of work of the Regional Cooperation informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Council and reiterated that regional ministers (Gymnich), held on 29 cooperation needs to be inclusive", March in Hluboka nad Vltavou. concluded the representatives of EU The two-day meeting brought Prague governments. together representatives of the "The countries of the region will Governments of the Member States The statement adds that continue to benefit from EU support of the European Union, the candi- strengthening people to people con- to economic stability and develop- date countries, the potential candi- tacts represents the most tangible ment and will also receive focussed date countries of the Western benefit of the European integration support from the Crisis Response Package under the Instrument for A visa free regime should be established with all Western Balkan Pre-Accession Assistance", states the countries as soon as the benchmarks defined in the visa liberali- document, emphasising that all par- sation roadmaps are met ticipants assessed positively the coop- Balkans, the Secretary General of the for the citizens of the Western eration during the recent gas crisis. Council and European Balkans. Referring to current and Commissioner for Enlargement as "A visa free regime should be upcoming elections in the Western well as Special Representatives for established with all Western Balkan Balkans region, the Presidency Kosovo and BiH. countries when the benchmarks recalled the importance of ensuring Conclusions from the meeting defined in the visa liberalisation free and fair elections in line with state that the Stabilisation and roadmaps are met", says the docu- international standards and commit- Association Process will remain the ment, adding that student and ments. overall framework for the European young professional exchanges repre- It was also reiterated that the course of the Western Balkan coun- sent a particular contribution to fos- implementation of the Interim tries all the way to their future tering harmony and overcoming Agreement and the ratification of the accession. prejudice among the people of the Stabilisation and Association "By making solid progress in Western Balkans and should be fur- Agreement with Serbia will com- economic and political reform and ther promoted. mence as soon as the Council by fulfilling the necessary conditions According to the Presidency's decides that Serbia fully co-operates and requirements, the remaining statement, good neighbourly rela- with the International Criminal potential candidates in the Western tions and the need to find mutually Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Balkans should achieve candidate acceptable solutions on outstanding "An early implementation of the status, according to their own mer- issues with neighbouring countries Interim Agreement is desirable", rec- its, with European Union member- remain essential elements of the ommended the participants. ship as ultimate goal", states the region's way towards the EU. document. "Regional cooperation among [email protected].[.

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 3 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 A p r i l , 2 0 0 9

NON-GGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN EUROPEAN UNION ILGA EUROPE - INTERNATIONAL Ofx!zpvoh!mfbefst LESBIAN AND GAY ASSOCIATION t is a non-governmental umbrella organisation entre for Civic Education (CCE) Iwhich comprises about 200 member organiza- tions promoting the rights of LGBT persons on the Ccompleted the selection of partic- European level. ipants for the V generation of the ILGA-Europe enjoys consultative status at Youth Leadership School on 15 April Economic and Social Council of the United Nations 2009. In the next three months 22 (ECOSOC) and participative status at the Council of Europe. It is a member of the Platform of European Social NGOs. ILGA was founded in 1978 and has an office in Brussels. new participants will have a chance to ILGA's vision is of a world freed from any form of discrimination on the grounds of attend various forms of seminars on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; a world of equality and freedom. the issues of democracy, leadership, ILGA-Europe's mission is: tolerance, discrimination, conflict and - to act as a European voice for the rights of those who face discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; non-violent conflict resolution, human - to promote the right to equality and freedom from discrimination by lobbying and advo- and minority rights, identity, active cit- cacy; izenship, gender equality, stereotypes, - to educate and inform the European and international institutions, media and civil soci- public relations and European inte- ety about LGBT related issues; - to strengthen the capacity of European human rights organisations fighting against sex- grations. The seminars will take place ual orientation, gender identity and gender expression discrimination once a week, and will be coordinat- - to engage in advocacy, campaigning and networking in order to strengthen awareness ed by the CEE team of trainers on the need of full recognition of human rights of LGBT persons through workshops and interactive - to be the point of exchange of best practices and networking of related organizations active in Europe and to create joint actions and strategies. participation of participants. ILGA has managed to ensure introduction of anti-discrimination provisions of the After they complete the training, Treaty of Amsterdam, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. the participants receive a diploma ILGA's activities have also lead to the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation and acquire the right to participate in and obligation to respect rights of LGBT persons among the criteria for accession to European Union. This measure has been highly effective in pressuring the governments of further courses. Youth Leadership candidates countries to repeal discriminatory laws. School has been successfully attend- In 2004 ILGA-Europe played a significant role in the events leading to the withdraw- ed by about eighty high-school stu- al by the President of the European Commission of Mr Buttiglione's nomination for the dents so far, who will soon become position of Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, on account of his highly conser- vative views on LGBT and women's rights. These are only some of the illustrations of actors in our social reality and deci- ILGA's credibility within EU institutions. sion makers, and the skills and ILGA has widespread publishing activities, and a regular overview of its activities knowledge acquired in the Youth related to various political, economic and social issues with regard to LGBT can be found Leadership School will be of in its monthly reports. More about this organization and its activities can be found at www.ilga-eeurope.org immense assistance in their social and professional life. Prepared by: Petar \UKANOVI]

B!mpoh!spbe!up!ibsnpojtbujpo!pg!usbef!qsbdujdft!boe!FV!tjohmf!nbslfu he final conference in Be~i}i on project, Leopold Maurer, ambassa- European Union. T3 and 4 April 2009 marked an dor of the European Commission The conference itself was dedi- end to the TRIM MNE project, Delegation, Gordana \urovi}, cated to the harmonization of trade worth more than 2 million euros, deputy prime minister of Monte- practices and EU single market, and and financed from the European negro as well as Matja` Logar and consisted of several round tables funds with the objective of providing Zvezdan ^a|enovi} as representa- titled "Trade", "Competition", "State support to the Government of tives of the project summarised the Aid" and "Consumer Protection", and Montenegro to accelerate the pace activities conducted in the frame- gathered national as well as EU of legal harmonisation and build up work of TRIM MNE and presented experts on these issues. Milo Radu- administrative capacities in the area the future challenges and demands lovi}, programme associate, attended of trade and single market. Bastian lying ahead of the Montenegrin the meeting on behalf of the Centre Viegel, director of the TRIM MNE administration on the road to for Civic Education (CCE).

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Cbmlbot!cfuxffo!Fvspqf!boe!ijtupsz WWiitthh cciivviill n cooperation with the Centre for ment of firm foundations for a con- ssoocciieettyy ttoo EEUU International Relations from Poland, tinued exchange of information, I rom the 23 to 25 April 2009 in and with support of the European experiences and good practices cooperation with the London Commission Centre for Civic Education among the media professionals from F Euclid network CEDEM organised a (CCE) is currently working on a project the West Balkan countries and pro- seminar for NGO representatives titled "The Balkans - between Europe mote their individual achievements so "Unification with Europe through and History". As a part of the project, far in the areas concerned. the strengthening and linking the CCE organised a meeting of editors of The participants also had a third sectors", with support of the press and electronic media from chance to meet several public figures UK ministry of foreign affairs. Western Balkans and Poland between from Poland. The seminar focused on the 21 and 25 April 2009 in Warsaw. Participants from Montenegro at issues of the sources of finance for The goal of this gathering was to this event were Milka Tadi} Mijovi}, NGOs, strengthening mutual coop- offer the participants new insights director of the weekly "Monitor", Rajko eration and capacities in order to into different phases of EU accession, [ebek, news programme editor at IN foster organisational and financial exchange experiences and knowledge TV and Petar Komneni}, journalist of sustainability of the NGO sector in with their colleagues from Poland, the Radio Free Europe and editor at Montenegro and offered examples and to contribute to the establish- TV Vijesti. of best practices from UK. The participants had a chance to learn specific techniques and Qfstqfdujwft!gps!tubcjmjtbujpo!boe skills of raising funds through the procedures specified for EU joufhsbujpo!pg!uif!Xftufso!Cbmlbot financing, but also to learn about social entrepreneurship as a form aliborka Uljarevi} , executive lenges facing the region of the Western of financing activities of general Ddirector of CCE participated in Balkans today. These issues were dis- public interest which proved very the conference "Perspectives for cussed through the prism of European successful in the West European Stabilisation and Integration of the perspectives, stabilisation and value context. Western Balkans" on 21 April 2009 in frameworks. Moderators were The last day of the seminar Dijon (France), organised by the renowned journalists from Le Monde, was organised as a conference Bourgogne Balkans Express with sup- Economis and Courrier International. titled "The development of civil port of a renowned French education- Uljarevi} spoke on the panel ded- society in Montenegro" featuring, in al establishment Science Po Paris, icated to "The phenomenon of corrup- addition to NGO representatives, European Commission, NATO and tion and the legal frameworks in the representatives of public institu- various other partners. Balkans: key reforms and dark spots tions, political parties and interna- The conference gathered well through the reports of the European tional organisations in Montenegro. known researchers and activists work- Commission". Among the speakers were Kevin Pierre ing in the area of European integrations The event was opened by Lyne, UK ambassador to Monte- Mirel in order to facilitate exchange of ideas, on behalf of the European negro, Nicola Bertolini, head of the Francois Patriat information and political opinions Commission and on operational sector of EC Delegation about some key issues in the future of behalf of the regional council of in Montenegro, Vanja Grgurovi}, the Western Balkans, and in order to Burgundy, as well as representatives of deputy Secretary of the Secretariat discuss realistic solutions to the chal- the SciencesPo. for European Integrations as well as Goran \uri}, director of CRNVO. The participants had a chance Bdujwf!djuj{fotijq!gps!Fvspqfbojtbujpo to discuss their views of the chal- lenges facing the leaders of the n 22 April 2009 German South-Eastern Europe". NGO sector in Montenegro today. organisation MitOst in cooper- Daliborka Uljarevi}, executive O Centre for Civic Education was ation with NECE network organised director of CCE presented the expe- represented at the conference by expert discussion on the topic riences from Montenegro and its Ana Vujo{evi} and Ivana Tatar, "Perspectives of Informal Civic neighbouring countries in this area programme associates. Education in Central, Eastern and at the first session of the debate.

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 4 3 23 E d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m m e s i n E U A p r i l , 2 0 0 9

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

Homepage: www.bgss.hu- berlin.de/masters/getma The Board welcomes students, academics and (Berlin) professionals who are actively interested or Homepage: http://www.gtss. metu.edu.tr/ (Ankara) involved in research on the subject. By way of a Mail: [email protected] merit-based selection, preference will be given to Telephone: 0049-30-2093- 4456 those with a Bachelor's, Master's or Research Master's diploma in History, Art History, Theology INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS and Science of Religion. Graduates of other dis- ciplines will also be considered, depending on PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP their research background. European and third country students will pay a SPAIN fee of 200 €. This is the opportunity for international students Ph.D-students and professionals will pay a fee of INTERNATIONAL MASTER to acquire a multinational business culture and at 400 €. the same time improve their Spanish by living in Website: http://kadoc.kuleuven.be/summer_school/ IN SOCIAL SCIENCES, Spain through our International Business Program. Email: [email protected] The Program is based on the same practical BERLIN AND ANKARA methodological approach that is common to all WORKSHOP / 11TH The German Turkish Masters Program in Social FUNDESEM programs and covers the key areas Sciences at Humboldt-Universitä t zu Berlin, involved in running a successful company. MEDITERRANEAN Germany (HU) and Middle East Technical On completion of the program, the students will: University Ankara, Turkey (METU) is accepting - Understand the full complexity of a company. RESEARCH MEETING applications for the 2009/10 academic year. GeT - Be aware of how company departments are (MRM) MA is an international Masters Program in Social interrelated and how they are affected by cor- Sciences at two leading universities in their porate decisions. ADRIATIC FRONTIERS: COMMUNICATIONS respective countries. - Be able to apply leadership skills to implement ACROSS CULTURES, SPACE AND TIME Courses in Political Science, Sociology and corporate renewal in a changing global business Date: March 24-27, 2010. International Relations offer students a specialized environment. Location: Montecatini Terme (near Florence). perspective on politics and society in Turkey and There are five 100% scholarships available, the Keywords: Eastern Adriatic; Venice and the Germany, German-Turkish relations as well as the candidates must write a motivation letter explain- Ottoman Empire; Bosnia, Dalmatia, Albania, and European dimension of domestic and foreign pol- ing why they would like to study this program and Montenegro; Muslim, Christian, and Jewish cul- itics in both countries. Furthermore, students gain send it to Enrico J. Ahrens [email protected], tures in the Mediterranean; commerce and cul- practical experience through an internship in the scholarships do not include housing expenses. tural exchange; frontiers and borderlands; region either Turkey or Germany between their first and The deadline is July 31st 2009 and space. second year. Upon completion of the program, a Website: http://www.fundesem.es/jr/ENGLISH_IBP.pdf The workshop "Adriatic Frontiers: Communications Dual-Master of Arts in Social Sciences is award- Across Cultures, Space and Time" seeks to provide ed from both HU and METU. The GeT MA pro- SUMMER SCHOOL IN a forum for the study of the multifaceted history of gram prepares students for international careers in a region that has remained on the margins, despite government agencies, NGOs, administration, jour- RESEARCH ON RELIGION, the increased interest in the Mediterranean. Please nalism and research. also see the full concept [3 pages] at Language of instruction both in Ankara and Berlin CULTURE AND SOCIETY http://www.eui.eu/RSCAS/Research/Mediterranean/ will be English. Students are not expected to have mrm2010/desc_pdf/MRM2010_Ds11.pdf) German or Turkish proficiency. Language courses IN EUROPE LEUVEN, There will be no registration fee. Most selected will be offered as part of the GeT MA program. BELGIUM participants are eligible for a bursary. Participants GeT MA offers students from Germany, Turkey, from SEE, Turkey and Middle Eastern countries Date: 17-26 August 2009 and from around the world the opportunity to will receive a lump sum of 550 euros to cover The 2009 Summer School on Religion, Culture attend language courses either in German, their expenses (airfare, accommodation). and Society in Europe (1750-) offers its students Turkish, or a third language. To practice three lan- Participants from Western Europe, the USA and a closer and refreshing look at the complicated guages in one MA program is a unique feature of Canada will receive a lump sum of 130 euros. historical relationship between religion and GeT MA! Paper proposals must be submitted online before modernity. Participants will get a solid introduction All GeT MA students receive comprehensive aca- July 15, 2009. to the very different domains in which religion has demic advising and have access to comprehensive Abstracts of 500-1000 words are to be pasted in, influenced, (re)shaped and even embodied the student services. Students are assisted from the CVs of max. 5 pages are to be uploaded to, the modernisation process, but also to the continuous moment of acceptance, throughout their time in online form at http://www.rscas.org/medform.asp adaptation and transformation processes of the the program as well as after graduation as pro- The workshop is directed by Maximilian Hartmuth religious domain itself, thus finding a clear con- gram alumni. ([email protected]) and Amanda temporary reflection in Europe's cultural identities. Application deadline: May 29, 2009 Phillips ([email protected]) and Participation in the summer school is limited to 40 For further information about the application, hosted by the European University Institute students. please visit our website or contact us! (Florence).

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: +382 20 665-112, 665-327; E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] EIC Bulletin -EEuropean pulse can be downloaded at the www.cgo-cce.org

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