The European Parliament invited Montenegro to overcome political divisions and advance in the process of European integration, stressing that the current political crisis has lost an entire year to this candidate state for the European Union.

This is included in the resolution for Montenegro that was voted on October 18 in the EP. It was drafted by the rapporteur for Montenegro in the EP, Tonino Piculla, a social democrat from Croatia.

During the debate on the resolution, many MEPs expressed concerns about Russia’s influence efforts in Montenegro and welcomed the continuation of Podgorica’s full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy. The deputies in the EP demanded that any government that will be formed in Montenegro keep the course towards the EU.

Montenegro has supported all EU sanctions against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, and the EP asked for this to continue, despite the fact that there are political forces in Montenegro that have pro-Russian positions.

The resolution also mentions the concern about interference from China and Serbia in the internal affairs of Montenegro.

Through this report, the members of the European Parliament requested that Montenegro accelerate the reform process, especially those that are necessary for the EU integration process, such as justice reforms and the fight against organized crime and corruption.

Montenegro continues to be the most advanced candidate country in the EU membership process in the Western Balkans region. Podgorica has opened all negotiating chapters in this process and has closed three chapters so far. But, for years, it has not closed negotiating chapters.

The process hasn’t continued due to ongoing political crises in the state.

Montenegro held an early parliamentary session on June 11. The Europe Now movement won the most votes, namely 26 percent.

The new government expected to be formed by Millojko Spajic will be the third since the Democratic Party of Socialists of Milo Djukanovic left power in August 2020.

The first government of Zdravko Krivokapic, formed under the influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church, lasted 14 months.