BRITISH CONCERNED FOR THE REGION: Medoks says Montenegro is vulnerable while its institutions are weak, some recent decisions are problematic

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - British Ambassador Karen Medoks tells CdM that the British Government is concerned about the situation in Montenegro.

“In the current geopolitical context, with Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, every country in the world faces a decision about who its friends and allies are. For Montenegro, as a NATO ally, that is not in question and it will not find itself isolated. But it is vulnerable while its institutions are weak and while its Government is not functioning at full capacity,” Medoks states.

According to her, the best defence for Montenegro would be to strengthen its partnerships, not only by continuing its commitment to NATO values but also by joining the EU.

“Its NATO membership provides a certain level of security, but Montenegro also needs to do its part, addressing its weaknesses. Whichever government comes to power next, we will encourage them to make this a priority,” the British ambassador points out.

Responding to CdM's question about whether political instability has tarnished Montenegro's image among international partners, Medoks says that international partners are certainly concerned about what we have seen here in recent months.

“Political stability in itself is not a problem – many Western countries have gone through political changes and experienced uncertainties this year. In Montenegro, changes of government are not the issue; the matters that concern us are recent decisions that suggest a shift in long-standing policies, such as alignment with European rule of law principles. Particularly the decision to ignore the Venice Commission's advice on the constitutionality of amendments to the Law on the President,” Medoks told CdM.

Speaking about external factors that benefit from the crisis in Montenegro, Medoks emphasises that the United Kingdom and other members of the international community have for some time been commenting on Russia's destabilising influence in this region, including on Montenegro.

She stresses that external actors can exploit countries with weak institutions where individuals are not properly held accountable and where checks and balances cannot function effectively.

Commenting on the situation in which the current parliamentary majority ignored the recommendations of the Venice Commission and re-adopted amendments to the Law on the President, Medoks says that the Government of Montenegro has set EU accession as a priority, and strengthening the rule of law is a key step towards that goal.

“Therefore, it is deeply concerning that the Parliament decided to ignore the advice of the Venice Commission by adopting amendments to the Law on the President. As our Special Envoy Lord Peach said during his visit earlier this month, those who voted for the law must carefully consider the message this decision sends to Euro-Atlantic partners,” the CdM interlocutor points out.

Medoks warns that the United Kingdom is concerned about rising tensions across the region.

“That is why our Special Envoy Sir Stuart Peach has been so active in all Western Balkan countries in recent weeks. But in Montenegro, this trend can be reversed. We need de-escalation of rhetoric between political parties that set the tone in society,” she stresses.

Medoks says that many political leaders she has spoken with in recent weeks share the same goals for Montenegro and are deeply committed to improving people's lives here and maintaining the Euro-Atlantic course.

“But their politics and inherited party relations hinder rational discussion. We need to see a politically mature approach to dialogue between politicians, on a human level, so that parties with shared values can work together to rebuild effective institutions that are resilient to destabilising influences. That will be a challenge in an election year. But the dialogue process should begin as soon as possible, and the first task is an agreement on appointing judges to the Constitutional Court,” Medoks concluded in her interview with CdM.