Picula: Russians in the Balkans cannot overcome Western influence

(Patria) - Former Croatian head of diplomacy Tonino Picula emphasizes that Russian influence in the Western Balkans will be present, but it cannot overcome Western influence.

The European Parliament's rapporteur for Montenegro says that the new parliamentary majority in that country cannot simply abandon the foreign policy path previously set for your country.

"I think it is clear that the broad, almost three-quarters support of Montenegrins for membership in the European Union is a clear signal to the new coalition that it cannot simply abandon the foreign policy path previously set for your country. If the coalition members truly consolidate around common political goals, they could form a more lasting government, but a relatively small majority in parliament will certainly pose a challenge," said the European Parliament's rapporteur for Montenegro, Tonino Picula, in an interview with "Pobjeda", as reported by RTCG.

He reminds that a coalition agreement was signed last week, making the formation of a new government in Montenegro increasingly likely.

"Among the most important points of this agreement are those concerning how, in accordance with the Constitution, there will be no initiatives to change the flag, coat of arms, or anthem. However, it is even more important how all signatories, on behalf of their political organizations, have committed to responsibly fulfilling all international obligations, strengthening cooperation with NATO, and implementing all reforms for the successful continuation of the accession process to the European Union," Picula states.

He also says that, on one hand, he was concerned by the nationalist threats with a Serbian prefix that were directed at members, primarily of the Bosniak and Albanian minorities, after the elections.

"I think that in these local communities, great effort has been invested in living together in recent years, and it is unacceptable for the trust built over decades to be damaged because some perceived the results of these elections as a signal shot for expressing chauvinism. I hope that everything will remain at these isolated incidents. Any such escalation of violence is also a step backward on the path to the EU. On the other hand, I was very pleased to see condemnations of such actions by a whole series of respected citizens of Montenegro, which shows that reason and civic courage in Montenegro have not retreated," Picula stated.