BETA


2015/2894(RSP) Resolution on the 2015 report on Montenegro

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead AFET TANNOCK Timothy Charles Ayrton (icon: ECR ECR) KOVATCHEV Andrey (icon: PPE PPE), ANDROULAKIS Nikos (icon: S&D S&D), RADOŠ Jozo (icon: ALDE ALDE), LUNACEK Ulrike (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), CASTALDO Fabio Massimo (icon: EFDD EFDD)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 132-p2

Events

2016/07/04
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2016/03/10
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2016/03/10
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution tabled by its Committee on Foreign Affairs on the 2015 report on Montenegro.

Members recall that further progress has been made in the accession negotiations with Montenegro and it is the most advanced enlargement country in the negotiation process. Although they welcome the progress in the enlargement negotiations with Montenegro, they stress that this progress must be accompanied by the strict implementation of relevant action plans and strategies.

Democratic control: Members urge more parliamentary scrutiny over the accession process. They welcomes the adoption of the 2015 action plan for strengthening parliamentary oversight, but emphasise the need to reinforce the capacities of the Montenegrin parliament and to improve its access to accession-related information. In parallel, they urge all political forces, in government and opposition alike, to re-engage in sustainable dialogue and constructive cooperation within the Montenegrin parliament. They recall that dialogue and compromise are cornerstones of any democratic decision-making process and consider it essential for a well-functioning democracy that any form of protest be conducted peacefully and in line with the relevant laws. Parliament calls on the government to fully implement the new electoral legislation prior to any new elections.

Fighting corruption: Parliament encourages further depoliticisation of the public administration to ensure the citizens’ right to good administration free of corruption. Although, it welcomes the progress made in this field, Members remain concerned about undue influence on judicial independence in this country. In this regard, Parliament welcomes the establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, whose tasks include combating corruption offences. It calls for its independence and capacity to conduct administrative investigations to be ensured.

Asylum seekers: Parliament calls for the improvement of legislative and administrative capacity in the field of asylum and migration, and urges the Commission to provide support to this end. It commends the government of Montenegro for the steps it has taken and encourages Montenegro to continue its efforts in this field, especially with regard to children, including by further facilitating birth registration and subsequent or re-registration in civil registers.

Islamic terrorism: Members encourage further measures against trafficking in human beings to complement the relevant legal and institutional aspects. They note that the Montenegrin police have intensified checks throughout the country with a view to preventing possible terrorist attacks and recruitment of Montenegrin nationals to jihadist organisations. They encourage the competent authorities to strengthen regional and international cooperation, including by exchanging information and best practices in a move to prevent radicalisation and respond to terrorist activities.

Freedom of expression: Parliament remains concerned about the freedom of the media in Montenegro, which is ranked 114th in terms of press freedom by the annual ranking of Reporters Without Borders. It encourages progress to be made in freedom of expression and decisions to be aligned with European Court of Human Rights case law on freedom of expression. It expresses concern, however, at the shortcomings in the investigation of previous cases of violence and intimidation against journalists and urges the competent authorities to resolve the pending cases of violence and threats against journalists, including the murder of Duško Jovanović in 2004.

Minorities: Members call on the competent authorities to encourage better representation of ethnic minorities in public sector employment, including in the police and the judiciary. In particular, Parliament urges them to adopt a new law on minorities and a law on the legal status of religious communities in line with European standards and after due consultations with all stakeholders, to make further efforts to protect the multi-ethnic identity of Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor).

Members call, once again, for additional measures to facilitate the access of Roma, Egyptian minorities and Ashkali to health care, housing and employment. Likewise, measures need to be taken to encourage the integration of the LGBTI community in Montenegrin society.

Violence against women: Members remain concerned about domestic and sexual violence against women and girls and call for stronger measures to be taken in this area. They stress the importance of increasing women’s representation in politics during the next elections, as well as access to the labour market for women.

Improved economic situation: Parliament, while commending the macroeconomic stability and favourable developments in the Montenegrin economy, notes also that Montenegro does not always enforce legislation regarding contracts, which leads to legal uncertainty. It calls on the country to implement economic reforms that will create jobs and growth, to address the country’s large current-account and general budget deficits, to ensure the sustainability of public finances, and to implement policies that will help diversify the economy.

In parallel, Parliament reiterates its concern that in some parts of the country many people are living in relative poverty and that youth and long-term unemployment are at persistently high levels.

Environment: Members call for further efforts to preserve the biodiversity of the Saline in Ulcinj, in particular, as the most important breeding and wintering site for birds on the eastern Adriatic coast. It encourages the sustainable development of the coastline, and the protection of the natural environment and biodiversity in line with European standards.

Regional cooperation: Parliament welcomes the border agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, and urges Montenegro to build on this and speed up work to deal with unresolved border issues with Croatia and Serbia. Should it prove impossible to reach a solution by mutual agreement, it calls for disputes to be settled in the Hague International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules and principles of international law. In addition, Parliament renews its call on the authorities to help resolve the succession issues related to the legacy of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), including the military and naval legacy. It also encourages Montenegro to continue to address, in a constructive and neighbourly spirit, outstanding bilateral issues with its neighbours as early as possible in the accession process.

Documents
2016/03/10
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2016/03/09
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/09
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2016/02/23
   EP - Vote in committee
2016/01/14
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2015/12/15
   CSL - Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council
2015/12/15
   CSL - Council Meeting
2015/10/08
   EP - TANNOCK Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR) appointed as rapporteur in AFET

Documents

Activities

Votes

B8-0309/2016 - § 33/2 #

2016/03/10 Outcome: +: 415, -: 103, 0: 11
DE RO PL FR BE CZ GB BG ES SE LT HR HU PT DK NL FI AT SK IT LU EE MT LV SI IE EL
Total
66
30
31
58
19
18
43
15
31
15
11
10
14
17
9
22
10
14
9
50
5
4
5
6
3
9
4
icon: PPE PPE
147

Belgium PPE

3
2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PPE

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Slovenia PPE

2

Greece PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
133

Czechia S&D

3

Bulgaria S&D

Abstain (1)

3

Croatia S&D

For (1)

1

Hungary S&D

2

Netherlands S&D

2

Finland S&D

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Latvia S&D

Against (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
60

Romania ALDE

3

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Denmark ALDE

2

Finland ALDE

2

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

Abstain (1)

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
44

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Czechia ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

2

Lithuania ECR

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Denmark ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

For (1)

1
2

Slovakia ECR

Abstain (1)

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
39

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Hungary Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1
icon: NI NI
9

Germany NI

2

Poland NI

Against (1)

1

France NI

Against (1)

2

Hungary NI

2
2
icon: ENF ENF
28

Romania ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

1

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

Austria ENF

3
icon: EFDD EFDD
33

Poland EFDD

1

France EFDD

Against (1)

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
35

France GUE/NGL

2

Czechia GUE/NGL

1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Finland GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Italy GUE/NGL

2
4

Greece GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
rapporteur
name: TANNOCK Timothy Charles Ayrton date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
rapporteur
name: TANNOCK Charles date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
shadows
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE573.038
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AFET-AM-573038_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0309_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0309_EN.html
events/1/type
Old
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
New
Vote in committee
events/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160309&type=CRE
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-8-2015-03-09-TOC_EN.html
events/4
date
2016-03-10T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0092_EN.html title: T8-0092/2016
summary
events/4
date
2016-03-10T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0092_EN.html title: T8-0092/2016
summary
procedure/Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 159
procedure/Other legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 159
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
rapporteur
name: TANNOCK Charles date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
date
2015-10-08T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: TANNOCK Charles group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
shadows
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0309&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0309_EN.html
docs/2/body
EC
events/4/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0092
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0092_EN.html
activities
  • date: 2015-12-15T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: General Affairs meeting_id: 3439
  • date: 2016-02-23T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: KOVATCHEV Andrey group: S&D name: ANDROULAKIS Nikos group: ALDE name: RADOŠ Jozo group: GUE/NGL name: HADJIGEORGIOU Takis group: Verts/ALE name: LUNACEK Ulrike group: EFD name: CASTALDO Fabio Massimo responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: ECR name: TANNOCK Charles
  • date: 2016-03-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160309&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0092 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0092/2016 body: EP type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
commission
  • body: EC dg: Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations commissioner: HAHN Johannes
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
date
2015-10-08T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: TANNOCK Charles group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR
shadows
committees/0
body
EP
shadows
responsible
True
committee
AFET
date
2015-10-08T00:00:00
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
rapporteur
group: ECR name: TANNOCK Charles
council
  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: General Affairs meeting_id: 3439 url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3439*&MEET_DATE=15/12/2015 date: 2015-12-15T00:00:00
docs
  • date: 2016-01-14T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE573.038 title: PE573.038 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2016-03-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0309&language=EN title: B8-0309/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
  • date: 2016-07-04T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=26924&j=0&l=en title: SP(2016)349 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2015-12-15T00:00:00 type: Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council body: CSL
  • date: 2016-02-23T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2016-03-09T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160309&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=26924&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0092 title: T8-0092/2016 summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution tabled by its Committee on Foreign Affairs on the 2015 report on Montenegro. Members recall that further progress has been made in the accession negotiations with Montenegro and it is the most advanced enlargement country in the negotiation process. Although they welcome the progress in the enlargement negotiations with Montenegro, they stress that this progress must be accompanied by the strict implementation of relevant action plans and strategies. Democratic control: Members urge more parliamentary scrutiny over the accession process. They welcomes the adoption of the 2015 action plan for strengthening parliamentary oversight, but emphasise the need to reinforce the capacities of the Montenegrin parliament and to improve its access to accession-related information. In parallel, they urge all political forces, in government and opposition alike, to re-engage in sustainable dialogue and constructive cooperation within the Montenegrin parliament. They recall that dialogue and compromise are cornerstones of any democratic decision-making process and consider it essential for a well-functioning democracy that any form of protest be conducted peacefully and in line with the relevant laws. Parliament calls on the government to fully implement the new electoral legislation prior to any new elections. Fighting corruption: Parliament encourages further depoliticisation of the public administration to ensure the citizens’ right to good administration free of corruption. Although, it welcomes the progress made in this field, Members remain concerned about undue influence on judicial independence in this country. In this regard, Parliament welcomes the establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, whose tasks include combating corruption offences. It calls for its independence and capacity to conduct administrative investigations to be ensured. Asylum seekers: Parliament calls for the improvement of legislative and administrative capacity in the field of asylum and migration, and urges the Commission to provide support to this end. It commends the government of Montenegro for the steps it has taken and encourages Montenegro to continue its efforts in this field, especially with regard to children, including by further facilitating birth registration and subsequent or re-registration in civil registers. Islamic terrorism: Members encourage further measures against trafficking in human beings to complement the relevant legal and institutional aspects. They note that the Montenegrin police have intensified checks throughout the country with a view to preventing possible terrorist attacks and recruitment of Montenegrin nationals to jihadist organisations. They encourage the competent authorities to strengthen regional and international cooperation, including by exchanging information and best practices in a move to prevent radicalisation and respond to terrorist activities. Freedom of expression: Parliament remains concerned about the freedom of the media in Montenegro, which is ranked 114th in terms of press freedom by the annual ranking of Reporters Without Borders. It encourages progress to be made in freedom of expression and decisions to be aligned with European Court of Human Rights case law on freedom of expression. It expresses concern, however, at the shortcomings in the investigation of previous cases of violence and intimidation against journalists and urges the competent authorities to resolve the pending cases of violence and threats against journalists, including the murder of Duško Jovanović in 2004. Minorities: Members call on the competent authorities to encourage better representation of ethnic minorities in public sector employment, including in the police and the judiciary. In particular, Parliament urges them to adopt a new law on minorities and a law on the legal status of religious communities in line with European standards and after due consultations with all stakeholders, to make further efforts to protect the multi-ethnic identity of Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor). Members call, once again, for additional measures to facilitate the access of Roma, Egyptian minorities and Ashkali to health care, housing and employment. Likewise, measures need to be taken to encourage the integration of the LGBTI community in Montenegrin society. Violence against women: Members remain concerned about domestic and sexual violence against women and girls and call for stronger measures to be taken in this area. They stress the importance of increasing women’s representation in politics during the next elections, as well as access to the labour market for women. Improved economic situation: Parliament, while commending the macroeconomic stability and favourable developments in the Montenegrin economy, notes also that Montenegro does not always enforce legislation regarding contracts, which leads to legal uncertainty. It calls on the country to implement economic reforms that will create jobs and growth, to address the country’s large current-account and general budget deficits, to ensure the sustainability of public finances, and to implement policies that will help diversify the economy. In parallel, Parliament reiterates its concern that in some parts of the country many people are living in relative poverty and that youth and long-term unemployment are at persistently high levels. Environment: Members call for further efforts to preserve the biodiversity of the Saline in Ulcinj, in particular, as the most important breeding and wintering site for birds on the eastern Adriatic coast. It encourages the sustainable development of the coastline, and the protection of the natural environment and biodiversity in line with European standards. Regional cooperation: Parliament welcomes the border agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, and urges Montenegro to build on this and speed up work to deal with unresolved border issues with Croatia and Serbia. Should it prove impossible to reach a solution by mutual agreement, it calls for disputes to be settled in the Hague International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules and principles of international law. In addition, Parliament renews its call on the authorities to help resolve the succession issues related to the legacy of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), including the military and naval legacy. It also encourages Montenegro to continue to address, in a constructive and neighbourly spirit, outstanding bilateral issues with its neighbours as early as possible in the accession process.
  • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ title: Enlargement commissioner: HAHN Johannes
procedure/Modified legal basis
Old
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
New
Rules of Procedure EP 159
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
AFET/8/04679
New
  • AFET/8/04679
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 132-p2
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2
procedure/subject
Old
  • 8.20.01 Candidate countries
New
8.20.01
Candidate countries
procedure/subtype
Old
Resolution on statements
New
Resolution on statement
activities/2/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160309&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament
activities/3/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0092 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0092/2016
activities/3/type
Old
Vote in plenary scheduled
New
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
New
Procedure completed
procedure/title
Old
2015 report on Montenegro
New
Resolution on the 2015 report on Montenegro
activities/2/type
Old
Debate in plenary scheduled
New
Debate in Parliament
activities/1
date
2016-02-23T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
committees
body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: KOVATCHEV Andrey group: S&D name: ANDROULAKIS Nikos group: ALDE name: RADOŠ Jozo group: GUE/NGL name: HADJIGEORGIOU Takis group: Verts/ALE name: LUNACEK Ulrike group: EFD name: CASTALDO Fabio Massimo responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: ECR name: TANNOCK Charles
procedure/Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
activities
  • date: 2015-12-15T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: General Affairs meeting_id: 3439
  • date: 2016-03-09T00:00:00 body: EP type: Debate in plenary scheduled
  • date: 2016-03-10T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in plenary scheduled
committees
  • body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: KOVATCHEV Andrey group: S&D name: ANDROULAKIS Nikos group: ALDE name: RADOŠ Jozo group: GUE/NGL name: HADJIGEORGIOU Takis group: Verts/ALE name: LUNACEK Ulrike group: EFD name: CASTALDO Fabio Massimo responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: ECR name: TANNOCK Charles
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ title: Enlargement commissioner: HAHN Johannes
procedure
dossier_of_the_committee
AFET/8/04679
geographical_area
Montenegro, from 06/2006
reference
2015/2894(RSP)
title
2015 report on Montenegro
legal_basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2
stage_reached
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
subtype
Resolution on statements
type
RSP - Resolutions on topical subjects
subject
8.20.01 Candidate countries