2021/2247(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

— having regard to the Sofia declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 17 May 2018 and the Sofia Priority Agenda,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas the EU has continuously shown its commitment for the European perspective of Western Balkan countries and mobilized EUR 3.3 billion to address the immediate health crisis and mitigate economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Encourages further strengthening civil society participation in reforms and ensuring functional consultation and cooperation mechanisms, and in particular to guarantee the meaningful involvement of independent experts, civil society and local stakeholders when it comes to key legislation;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Encourages further strengthening civil society participation in reforms and ensuring functional consultation and cooperation mechanisms and by improving the legal and institutional frameworks;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Encourages further strengthening civil society meaningful participation in reforms and ensuring functional consultation and cooperation mechanisms;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the first Citizens’ Assembly organised on 4 November 2021 by the Parliament of Montenegro in cooperation with the European Parliament; welcomed the active participation of citizens in the Assembly on 4 November and their commitment to designing anti- corruption policies; calls on parliamentarians to follow up on the conclusions of the first Citizens’ Assembly;

Amendment 104 #

15. Welcomes the first Citizens’ Assembly organised on 4 November 2021 by the Parliament of Montenegro in cooperation with the European Parliament; encourages the Montenegrin authorities to implement the conclusions of the Citizens' Assembly regarding the fight against corruption and stresses the importance of continuing this successful exercise in the future;

Amendment 105 #

Thijs REUTEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes the first Citizens’ Assembly organised on 4 November 2021 by the Parliament of Montenegro in cooperation with the European Parliament; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to engage in the implementation of recommendations approved by citizens;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes the limited progress on freedom of expression; encourages Montenegro to step up its efforts to fight disinformation, hate speech, online harassment, politically-biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media; underlines the importance of exchange of best practices between the EU Member States and Montenegro in order to identify worrying developments at an early stage and develop adequate countermeasures against the spread of manipulative disinformation, in particular coming from third countries;

Amendment 107 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes the limited progress on freedom of expression; encourages Montenegro to step up its efforts to fight disinformation, hate speech, online harassment, politically-biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media; reiterates its support to the government’s readiness to implement EU sanctions against Russian propaganda outlets;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Notes with great concern the ongoing rising influence of other foreign actors in Montenegro through disinformation campaigns that undermine the Montenegrin European perspective and through the increase of Montenegro's public debt to foreign financial institutions and companies;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

D b. whereas the EU is the largest provider of financial assistance to Montenegro and whereas Montenegro benefits from pre-accession assistance under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), with a total of EUR 504.9 million between 2007 and 2020;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Is highly alerted that the EU accession countries in the Western Balkans are being hit particularly hard by attacks in the form of foreign interference and disinformation campaigns stemming from Russia and China;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16 b. Recommends convening dialogues with Western Balkan civil society and the private sector to coordinate anti- disinformation efforts in the region, with an emphasis on research and analysis and the inclusion of regional expertise; calls on the Commission to build up the infrastructure required to produce evidence-based responses to both short- term and long-term disinformation threats in the Western Balkans; calls on the EEAS to pivot to a more proactive stance, focusing on building the EU’s credibility in the region, rather than defending it, in expanding StratCom monitoring to focus on cross-border disinformation threats emanating from Western Balkan countries and their neighbours;

Amendment 112 #

Marc ANGEL, Terry REINTKE, Pierre KARLESKIND, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Maria WALSH, Klemen GROŠELJ, Tanja FAJON, Dietmar KÖSTER, Frédérique RIES, Andreas SCHIEDER, Mounir SATOURI, Giorgos GEORGIOU, Thomas WAITZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Notes that the collection of disaggregated data relating to racism and homo/transphobic hate speech and crime remains suboptimal; recalls the 2020 conclusions from the ECRI monitoring report, which stated that prior recommendations had not been implemented;1a recalls the Parliament’s position in the last report on Montenegro, which already called for this measure, and encourages authorities to implement it;1b _________________ 1a ECRI conclusions on the implementation of the recommendations in respect of Montenegro subject to interim follow-up (2 June 2020), accessible at https://rm.coe.int/ecri- conclusions-on-the-implementation-of- the-recommendations-in- respe/16809e8273 1b Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0244

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expresses concern about the high degree of polarisation in the media landscape, in particular the growing volume of disinformation spreading ethno- nationalist narratives that negatively impact democratic processes in the country; notes the attacks against the Serbian Church in Montenegro and the many attempts made by authorities to challenge the ownership of its religious property; condemns the protests held on 5 September 2021 against the inauguration of the new head of the Serbian Church in Montenegro;

Amendment 114 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Charlie WEIMERS, Hermann TERTSCH, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expresses concern about the high degree of polarisation in the media landscape, in particular the growing volume of disinformation spreading ethno- nationalist narratives that negatively impact democratic processes in the country; underlines the importance of media freedom and independence, quality of reporting and improving media literacy as key in fighting manipulative disinformation; calls for the strengthening of European cooperation with Montenegro on addressing disinformation, and cyber and hybrid threats that seek to undermine the European perspective of the region; welcomes Montenegro’s interest in cooperating with the EU via the European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) in this regard;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expresses concern about the high degree of polarisation in the media landscape, in particular the growing volume of disinformation spreading ethno- nationalist narratives that negatively impact democratic processes in the country; is also concerned with Russian propaganda in the country, targeting especially NATO, the EU and the US;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expresses concern about the high degree of polarisation in the media landscape, in particular the growing volume of foreign and domestic disinformation campaigns spreading ethno- nationalist narratives that negatively impact democratic processes in the country thus endangering its European perspective;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Calls on Montenegro, the EU Member States and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro to continue pursuing a more active and effective communication policy on the European perspective, aimed at both local and EU citizens, and to continue their coordinated efforts to increase the visibility of EU-funded projects; welcomes the important work of the EEAS Strategic Communication Western Balkans Task Force tasked with ensuring coordinated and consistent EU communication, building resilience and dealing with disinformation and information manipulation against the EU; calls for reinforcement of strategic communication actions and staff increase, including setting up a regional strategic communication post located in the Western Balkan region;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Calls on the EU Delegation in Montenegro to intensify its efforts in visibility campaigns to combat disinformation as well as in communication strategies to emphasize the role and importance of EU assistance to Montenegro;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Calls on Montenegrin authorities to investigate claims that the convicted founder of "Male State", an ultra- nationalist Russian online group which recently launched a campaign supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, posting anti-semitic statements and calling for Ukraine's leader to be executed, is living in Montenegro; calls on Montenegro to take decisive and systemic actions towards identifying and dismantling fake news factories and on politicians and public figures to not taking advantage but to firmly condemn any message polarizing society and undermining faith in media and core democratic values;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)

D c. whereas the assistance under IPA III is based on strict conditionality and envisages modulation and suspension of assistance in cases of backtracking in democracy, human rights and the rule of law;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Strongly condemns attacks and harassment of journalists and calls for ~~them to be~~ending impunity for these crimes through thorough investigatedions, sanctioneds and for there to be effective judicial follow-up for both the perpetrators and the masterminds; welcomes the proposal to introduce tougher penalties for threats to or attacks on journalists; calls for the continuing reforms in the media landscape to ensure that all new or amended media laws are drafted in line with international standards and best practice on media freedom and pluralism including support for public interest reporting, transparent funding, shared regulatory standards and a safe working environment free from attacks and threats;

Amendment 121 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Strongly condemns attacks and harassment of journalists and calls for them to be investigated, sanctioned and for there to be effective judicial follow-up; welcomes the proposal to introduce tougher penalties for threats to or attacks on journalists; calls for further steps to be taken to ensure independence of media, including independence of journalists;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Strongly condemns attacks and harassment of journalists and calls for them to be investigated, sanctioned and for there to be effective judicial follow-up; welcomes the ~~proposal to~~ introducetion of tougher penalties for threats to or attacks on journalists and calls on all political parties to enhance their efforts in creating the conditions for the work of independent and free media;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Strongly condemns attacks and harassment of journalists and calls for them to be investigated, sanctioned and for there to be effective judicial follow-up; welcomes the ~~proposal to~~adoption of the amendments to the Criminal Code and the introducetion of tougher penalties for threats to or attacks on journalists;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Strongly condemns attacks and harassment of journalists and calls for them to be investigated, sanctioned and for there to be effective judicial follow-up; welcomes the ~~proposal~~adoption of the Criminal Code amendments to introduce tougher penalties for threats to or attacks on journalists;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes some positive steps, such as an ad hoc commission for monitoring violence against the media, the ~~revision of laws on media and on~~strengthening of the legal framework to protect effectively journalists and other media workers, the revision of laws on media and on the more pluralistic editorial policy of the public broadcaster RTCG, and public consultations on a media strategy for 2021- 2025;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes some positive steps, such as an ad hoc commission for monitoring violence against the media, the revision of laws on media and on the public broadcaster RTCG, and public consultations on a media strategy for 2021- 2025; calls for further efforts to transform the RTCG into a real public service and in general to improve access to information;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes some positive steps, such as an ad hoc commission for monitoring violence against the media, the revision of laws on media and on the public broadcaster RTCG, and public consultations on a media strategy for 2021- 2025; ; underlines the importance of operational independence of Montenegro’s media regulators and public service broadcaster;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Condemns all violent acts during the demonstrations in Cetinje linked to the inauguration of the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church; ~~condemns Serbian interference in this regard;~~

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)

D d. whereas the period after the 2020 elections was marked by deep polarisation between the new ruling majority and the opposition, as well as within the ruling majority;

Amendment 130 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Condemns all violent acts during the demonstrations in Cetinje linked to the inauguration of the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church; condemns Serbian interference in this regard; condemns Russia’s efforts to exploit ethnic tensions in the Western Balkans in order to inflame conflicts and divide communities, which could lead to the destabilisation of the whole region; is concerned about the attempts by the Orthodox Church in countries such as Serbia and Montenegro to promote Russia as a protector of traditional family values and fortify relations between state and church;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Condemns all violent acts during the demonstrations in Cetinje linked to the inauguration of the ~~head~~Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church; condemns Serbian interference in this regard; calls for religious tolerance in line with the Montenegrin constitution and European values and principles;

Amendment 132 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Hermann TERTSCH, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Condemns all violent acts during the demonstrations in Cetinje linked to the inauguration of the head of the ~~Serbian Orthodox Church; condemns Serbian interference~~Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church; condemns interference and disinformation from third countries in this regard;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Condemns all violent acts during the demonstrations in Cetinje linked to the inauguration of the head of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church; condemns Serbian interference in this regard;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Notes that foreign interference can also be pursued through the instrumentalisation of religious institutes, such as Kremlin's influence in Orthodoxy; condemns Russia’s efforts to spread manipulative disinformation to exploit ethnic tensions and Russia’s role in spreading manipulative disinformation in Montenegro;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Notes ~~that~~another delay in the population and housing census i~~s likely to take place this year~~n Montenegro, and expects ~~it to~~that it will be conducted during the course of this year and in line with EU and international standards; calls on the authorities to avoid any politicisation of the process;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Notes that the population and housing census is likely to take place this year, and expects it to be conducted in line with EU and international standards; notes that the census needs to be conducted in an open and transparent way where all recognised national minorities are counted properly without fear of intimidation;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Notes that the population and housing census is likely to take place this year, and expects it to be conducted in line with EU and international standards and urges to avoid any politicisation of the process;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Strongly condemns verbal and physical attacks against and intimidation of national minorities;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Stresses the importance of equal representation of national minorities in media, judiciary, law enforcement and public institutions; emphasises the need to protect all of the national minorities’ political rights, in particular as some of them no longer have minority party representatives to Skupština;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)

D e. whereas boycotts and the lack of constructive engagement of all parliamentary actors impeded decision- making in the Parliament;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21 b. Stresses that the European perspective of Montenegro is closely intertwined with protection of minorities and their cultural heritage; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to acknowledge the tradition and cultural heritage of the Croatian community in the Bay of Kotor;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Notes with concern the notice of eviction till 15 April received by the Croatian National Assembly in Tivat;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)

21 c. Notes the continuing progress in improving the position of national minorities in Montenegro; calls for respect of the multi-ethnic identity of the Bay of Kotor; calls for respect of the multi-ethnic identity of the country, including the languages used, the cultural heritage and the traditions of local communities; calls on Montenegro to intensify efforts for non-discriminatory use of minority languages in education, in dedicated media space in the state and in local outlets;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Regrets that vulnerable groups, including Roma and Egyptians continue to experience multiple forms of discrimination and difficulties in enforcing their rights in administrative and judicial proceedings; expresses concern about the access of minorities and especially of the Roma community to healthcare, improving school attendance, housing and employment; calls for measures to promote intercultural understanding at schools;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Welcomes the adoption of the strategy for the inclusion of Roma and Egyptians 2021-2025 which is paying special attention to antigypsyism for the first time; encourages authorities to further increase efforts to fight discrimination, to ensure fair access to education, justice, housing, healthcare and labour market, as well as to take effective measures against hate speech;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that gender-based violence and violence against children is still of serious concern; regrets the shrinking space for CSOs providing specialised support services for women and disadvantaged groups and calls on Montenegro to provide adequate funding; urges the authorities to ensure a thorough implementation of the Istanbul Convention standards, to launch public awareness-raising campaigns, to encourage the reporting of domestic violence, to increase the number of well- trained and gender-sensitive law enforcement officers and judges as to ensure the proper investigation and prosecution of such crimes, and to introduce effective measures against sexual harassment, including at the work place; calls for the adoption of the necessary legal and policy measures to strengthen parliamentary representation and promote political participation of women;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that gender-based violence and violence against children is still of serious concern; calls for improving specialised support services for women and disadvantaged groups; condemns the killings of three women by their partners in a short period of time; notes that these cases were previously reported to the police and to the prosecutor's office; urges Montenegrin authorities to investigate fully these cases and ensure judicial follow-up; welcomes the proposal to introduce tougher penalties for violence against women and children; welcomes the establishing of the Council for the Rights of the Child;

Amendment 147 #

Jytte GUTELAND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that gender-based violence and violence against children is still of serious concern, where every third woman has suffered physical violence or another form of abuse in the family; calls on the relevant Montenegrin authorities to reinforce its work against domestic violence, including ensuring effective mechanisms to prevent repeat violence, while strengthening information on women's rights and establishing a system that encourages reporting under safe conditions;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that structural gender-based violence and violence against children is still of serious concern; is worried that hate speech and sexism directed at women in politics and public life is still frequent and not always censored by authorities; calls on policymakers to adjust the legal framework concerning violence against women in the country and public campaigns on the issue of violence against women and children in order to change the perception in the country;

Amendment 149 #

David LEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that gender-based violence and violence against children is still of serious concern; stresses the need of further improvement of the treatment of children in civil proceedings and child friendly justice; deplores the insufficient protection of victims, in particular women and children;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas Montenegro is exposed to foreign interference and malicious disinformation campaigns originating from Russia;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that gender-based violence and violence against children ~~is still of ser~~continue to be of serious concern, which deteriorated further during the COVID-19 pandemic; calls on the authorities to ensure a thorough implementation of the standards set out in the recommendatiouns ~~concern~~of the international bodies;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes that gender-based violence and violence against children is still of serious concern; calls for more vigilance and establishing support systems for victims of domestic abuse especially during the COVID-19 pandemic;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Expresses its concern about the consequences for women and for children concerned by violence committed by intimate partners during and after court proceedings to determine parental care of children; calls on all relevant state bodies to systematically approach this issue while respecting highest standards of protection and support to victims, the children's best interest and best European practices;

Amendment 153 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Hermann TERTSCH, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Welcomes progress on the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights and the first same-sex marriage in July 2021~~Takes the view that the EU has no right to interfere in a country's societal debates, regardless of whether that country is a Member State or a candidate country;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes progress on the protection ~~and promotion~~ of LGBTIQ rights ~~and the first same-sex marriage in July 2021~~;

Amendment 155 #

Marc ANGEL, Terry REINTKE, Pierre KARLESKIND, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Maria WALSH, Klemen GROŠELJ, Tanja FAJON, Dietmar KÖSTER, Frédérique RIES, Andreas SCHIEDER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes progress on the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights and the first same-sex ~~marriage in July 2021~~registered partnership in July 2021; calls on the government to continue making the appropriate amendments to other laws and bylaws required for the full implementation of the Law on registered partnership, which continue to pose problems for some partners’ access to it; underlines that the promotion of LGBTIQ rights is a responsibility of the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights, and is therefore concerned that neither the National LGBTI Strategy nor LGBTI rights are referenced in the description of its directorates work programmes;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes progress on the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights and the first same-sex mpar~~riage~~tnership in July 2021;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes progress on the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights and the first same-sex marriage in July 2021; calls upon the lawmakers to advance the harmonisation of further pieces of legislation in the area of social benefits and residence, in order to make the same-sex law fully applicable, as well as to finally form the working group for drafting the Law on legal gender recognition based on self-determination; points to the need for further measures to substantially improve the life of the LGBTIQ community with regard to homophobic incidents, threats and discriminations, and in terms of access to health care, justice, employment and housing;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes progress on the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights and the first same-sex marriage in July 2021; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to continue to improve the climate of societal inclusion and tolerance and to take effective measures against hate speech, social exclusion and the discrimination of minorities, including LGBTI people;

Amendment 159 #

Jytte GUTELAND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes progress on the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights and the first same-sex marriage in July 2021; notes the recognition of same- sex unions since 2021 as a first positive step, while the Montenegrin constitution still bans same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples remains illegal;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcomes Montenegro’s continued commit~~Stresses that, like any other Western Balkan country, the accession of Montenegro to the EU would be detrimental to ~~European integration and the unwavering sup~~the Member States because of the internal problems faced by the country, whose very independence is still questioned by a significant proportion of its ~~citizens for membership of the EU; underlines that progress in the negotiations continues to depend on meeting the rule of law interim benchmarks;~~ population, as evinced by the tight results of the 2007 referendum; recalls the findings of the European Court of Auditors special report titled 'EU support for the rule of law in the Western Balkans: despite efforts, fundamental problems persist', on the subject of which the reporting member Juhan Parts said that 'the modest progress made over the last 20 years threatens the overall sustainability of the EU support provided under the accession process. Constant reforms lose credibility if they do not deliver tangible results';

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Welcomes progress on the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights and the first same-sex marriage in July 2021; welcomes the peaceful organisation of Pride in 2021;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23 a. Calls on Montenegro to properly include LGBTIQ civil society in the work of the new legal gender recognition working group, which should work towards legal gender recognition based on self-determination, in accordance with ECHR practice and the WHO’s ICD-11, which depathologizes trans identities in all areas of life;1a _________________ 1a WHO Europe brief - transgender health in the context of ICD-11, accessible at https://www.euro.who.int/en/health- topics/health- determinants/gender/gender- definitions/whoeurope-brief-transgender- health-in-the-context-of-icd-11

Amendment 162 #

Marc ANGEL, Terry REINTKE, Pierre KARLESKIND, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Maria WALSH, Klemen GROŠELJ, Tanja FAJON, Dietmar KÖSTER, Frédérique RIES, Andreas SCHIEDER, Mounir SATOURI, Giorgos GEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)

23 b. Notes with concern the unavailability of hormone therapy for trans people in state health institutions and private pharmacies; is aware that this is a consequence of shortage of medicines caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but calls on the responsible authorities to provide a response that ensures trans persons’ access to health, respecting their physical and mental integrity;

Amendment 163 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Regrets that persons with disabilities continue to face ~~discrimination; notes that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is under wa~~multiple forms of discrimination, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of a harmonised concept of disability aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; notes that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is underway and calls on the effective implementation of strategies to tackle gaps in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities across sectors and policies; welcomes the adoption of the annual action plan of the Strategy for the protection of persons with disabilities from discrimination and for the promotion of equality;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Regrets that persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination; ~~not~~welcomes that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is under way;

Amendment 165 #

David LEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Regrets that persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination; notes that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is under way; deplores that alignment of the national legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities is not yet ensured: gaps remain to be addressed with respect to mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities across sectors and policies; stresses the urgent need of a de- institutionalisation strategy;

Amendment 166 #

Ioan-Rareş BOGDAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Regrets that persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination; stresses the need to improve the access to healthcare services for persons with disabilities; calls on the authorities to take all the necessary measures in order to ensure a better access to the labour market for these persons; notes that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is under way;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Regrets that persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination and difficulties in enforcing their rights in administrative and judicial proceedings; notes that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is under way;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Commends Montenegro’s constructive role in regional cooperation and welcomes the implementation of actions under the Western Balkans Common Regional Market; encourages efforts to find and implement definite and binding solutions to bilateral disputes, including border disputes; criticises the EU, however, for having made several attempts, in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular, to impose its own views on the internal structure and institutional development of these countries, at the risk of further provoking internal divisions;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Commends Montenegro’s constructive role in regional cooperation and welcomes the implementation of actions under the Western Balkans Common Regional Market~~; encourages efforts~~ based on EU rules; calls for concrete action to find and implement definite and binding solutions to ~~bilateral disputes, including border disputes~~solve long-running border disputes with neighbouring countries, such as the maritime dispute with Croatia over the Prevlaka peninsula, and the maritime demarcation with Albania;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Not~~Stresses that ~~all 33 scre~~of the 33 opened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017; encourages Montenegro to specifically focus on meeting the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters, none have been closed since 2017;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Encourages Montenegro to continue to address, in a constructive and neighbourly spirit, outstanding bilateral issues with its neighbours, including the unresolved border demarcation issues with Serbia and Croatia, as early as possible during the accession process;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Emphasizes that all regional economic cooperation schemes in the Western Balkans should be inclusive and acceptable to all six countries, establishing cooperation on an equal footing among all six countries, while strengthening further alignment with EU standards and acquis; expresses, in this context, its scepticism towards the Open Balkan Initiative, while pointing to the danger that a regional economic cooperation initiative not encompassing all six countries and not being based on EU rules could have a negative impact on the EU integration processes;

Amendment 172 #

Andrey KOVATCHEV

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Welcomes the removed roaming charges between the six Western Balkan states; urges all relevant parties to negotiate a plan that would lead to the speedy elimination of roaming charges between Montenegro and EU Member States;

Amendment 173 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Welcomes the removal of roaming fees between Montenegro and five other Western Balkan states as of 1st July 2021; in that respects encourages the government and the European Commission to create a road map to reduce and eventually eliminate roaming charges with EU Member States;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Notes Montenegro’s continued cooperation under the Sarajevo Declaration Process; welcomes the adoption of the resolution on Srebrenica of 17 June 2021; welcomes the first ever attendance by the Foreign Minister of Montenegro at the joint commemoration of Morinj camp victims; notes that since 2006 just eight war crime trials have been held and only low-level perpetrators have been tried; underlines there should be no tolerance for genocide denial, inflammatory rhetoric or the glorification of war criminals;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Urges Montenegro to intensify its efforts in proactively prioritising and punishing war crimes and its glorification and in clarifying the fate of missing persons;

Amendment 176 #

Andrey KOVATCHEV

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Recalls the need to open up Yugoslav secret service archives, kept both in Podgorica and in Belgrade, in order to vigorously address communist- era crimes across the region; takes the view that transparent handling of the totalitarian past, including the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, is a step towards further democratization, accountability and institutional strength in both the country and the Western Balkan region as a whole;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Recalls the need to implement a law on lustration, open up Yugoslav secret service archives and follow the legal procedures to submit the relevant files to the State Archives in order to address and research communist-era crimes and criminal organisations;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26 b. Calls on the Montenegrin authorities to comply fully with the provisions on succession of the former SFRY, especially as regards military assets;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls on the Montenegrin authorities to take concrete steps to build resilience and cybersecurity as it faces increasing pressure from third country interference at a time when the country is facing increasing pressure through third country interference that seeks to undermine its statehood and pro-Western orientation, and to enforce greater oversight of the media landscape in order to tackle fake news and other disinformation activities, in particular those orchestrated by harmful foreign influences;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that all 33 screened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017~~; encourages~~, slowing down Montenegro's positive track record and status of most advanced Western Balkans country in its progress towards EU accession; welcomes Montenegro's decision to accept the principles of the revised enlargement methodology and calls on Montenegro to specifically focus on meeting the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters;

Amendment 180 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Charlie WEIMERS, Hermann TERTSCH, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls on the Montenegrin authorities to take concrete steps to build resilience and cybersecurity as it faces increasing pressure from third country interference; welcomes the new Cyber Security Strategy of Montenegro 2022- 2026 and calls for legislative process establishing the Cyber Security Agency to move forward without delay;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls on the Montenegrin authorities to take concrete steps to build resilience and cybersecurity as it faces increasing pressure from third country interference; invites Montenegro to fully participate in and utilise NATO programmes and initiatives in this regards;

Amendment 182 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls on the Montenegrin authorities to take concrete steps to build resilience and cybersecurity as it faces increasing pressure from third country interference, in close cooperation with the relevant EU and NATO institutions;

Amendment 183 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ENotes the recovery of the labour market in 2021, as a result of high economic growth; expresses its concern, however, about the persistently high unemployment rate; reiterates the need for better alignment of the education system with the job market and welcomes in this regard the steps made towards the introduction of the Youth Guarantee programme;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Expresses its concern about the persistently high unemployment rate; reiterates the need for ~~better alignment of the education system with the job marke~~increased public investments in the education system for sustainable social and economic development;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Expresses its concern about the persistently high unemployment rate, in particular among women and young people, and urges the authorities to increase efforts in improving the participation of these groups in the labour market and to address brain drain as a matter of urgency; welcomes the launch of the process to design the Youth Guarantee scheme; reiterates the need for better alignment of the education system with the job market;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Expresses its concern about the persistently high unemployment rate; reiterates the need for better alignment of the education system with the job market; notes the recovery of the labour market linked to the economy projections; welcomes the Youth Guarantee Programme;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Emphasises that the key challenges in labour market are precarious and informal employment, youth unemployment and the 'brain drain'; encourages the Montenegrin Government to implement measures to prevent and tackle these issues;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Encourages authorities to improve the participation of women in the labour market and to urgently address issues such as gender gap in employment and pay and affordable childcare;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Welcomes the announcement of the ‘Europe Now’ initiative ~~and calls on the authorities to make the best use of available EU pre-accession assistance in this regard~~;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that all 33 screened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017; encourages Montenegro to specifically focus on meeting the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters; reiterates that the rule of law area continue to determine the overall pace of the negotiations;

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Welcomes the ~~announcement of the~~ ‘Europe Now’ initiative ~~and calls on the authorities to make the best use of av~~which aims to achieve higher living standards and more competitive economy through a more sustailnable ~~EU pre-accession assistance in this regard~~and inclusive economic growth model;

Amendment 191 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Welcomes the announcement of the ‘Europe Now’ initiative, which aims to achieve higher living standards and more competitive economy through a more sustainable and inclusive economic growth model, and calls on the authorities to make the best use of available EU pre- accession assistance in this regard;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Welcomes the announcement of the ‘Europe Now’ initiative ~~and~~, which aims to achieve higher living standards and a more competitive economy through a more sustainable and inclusive economic growth model; calls on the authorities to make the best use of available EU pre- accession assistance in this regard;

Amendment 193 #

Thijs REUTEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ENotes China’s increased interest in investing in the Western Balkans and transportation infrastructure projects in Montenegro as part of the Belt and Road Initiative; expresses concern over Montenegro’s growing vulnerability owing to the increase of its public debt, in particular to China, and the new EUR 750 million loan taken by the government without consulting the Parliament; welcomes the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans as alternative and transparent model for financing infrastructural projects and calls on the Commission and the Member States to also provide and stimulate enhanced EU investment by encouraging Montenegro to actively approach the EU and European financial institutions;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Expresses concern over Montenegro’s sustainable macroeconomic stability and growing vulnerability owing to the increase of its public debt, in particular to China, and the new EUR 750 million loan taken by the government without consulting the Parliament; calls on the European Commission to follow up on the macroeconomic situation and vulnerability in the next country report; notes that investments by third countries and foreign companies in strategic sectors may post a risk of creating unwarranted economic dependencies;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Expresses concern over Montenegro’s growing vulnerability owing to the increase of its public debt, in particular to China, and the new EUR 750 million loan taken by the government without consulting the Parliament; welcomes efforts made towards decreasing these fiscal vulnerabilities, including those related to China;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30 a. Acknowledges China economic strategy and large investments in the Western Balkans, that often comes with stringent conditions and can have disastrous consequences; welcomes the European Union's investment plan for the Western Balkans and of the EU Global Gateway initiative as greener, more fair alternatives to Chinese investments;

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30 a. Underlines the importance of Montenegro’s infrastructure investments to abide by EU standards on environmental impact assessment while respecting EU public procurement and state aid;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Notes ~~with concern the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Montenegro’s economy~~the recovery of Montenegrin economy in 2021, following a deep recession in 2020;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Notes with concern the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Montenegro’s economy; notes with concern that the COVID-19 outbreak affected all segments of the population and was particularly detrimental to members of those social groups in the most vulnerable situations; calls for more enhanced, timely and constructive response to minimize the damage caused by the pandemic to those social groups in the most vulnerable situations by the government of Montenegro and the European Union;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

— having regard to the Zagreb declaration of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 6 May 2020,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that all 33 screened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017; encourages Montenegro to ~~specifically~~continue focusing on meeting the remaining interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Notes with concern the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Montenegro’s economy; welcomes the encouraging signs of Montenegro’s economic recovery in 2021; however calls for more sustainable economic and financial planning by the future government of Montenegro;

Amendment 201 #

Thijs REUTEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Notes with concern the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Montenegro’s economy; welcomes disbursement of €60 million of COVID-19 Macro-Financial Assistance package aimed at mitigating economic impact of the pandemic and keeping macro- economic stability;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Notes with concern the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Montenegro’s economy and the partial recovery of Montenegrin economy in 2021, following a deep recession in 2020;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Notes with concern the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Montenegro’s ~~economy~~population and economy, and the tourism sector in particular;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31 a. Welcomes Montenegro's projected strong economic growth of 10.8% in 2021, which is the highest rate among the six Western Balkans countries; welcomes the agreement on IPA III mobilising €14.2 billion to support the Western Balkans partners in meeting the requirements for European membership;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31a. Calls on the government to open a serious and in-depth social dialogue involving all social partners in the post- pandemic recovery process;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Welcomes the announcement of public services digitalisation and development of transactional electronic government services to enhance economic recovery; calls, nevertheless, for the Montenegrin Government to promote the digital inclusion of all social groups and to ensure that people who are less familiar with digital technologies can still physically access administrative services;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Welcomes the announcement of public services digitalisation and development of transactional electronic government services to enhance economic recovery; encourages development of targeted preventive measures and incentives to legalise informal businesses and employees as large informal sector continues to hinder economic and social development in Montenegro;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. ~~Urges Montenegro to take more action to prevent money laundering,~~Strongly condemns the decision of the prime minister Krivokapić on updating rules for obtaining Montenegrin citizenship, that was taken at the end of his mandate without wider consultations with the responsible institutions; expresses serious concern about the increased number of applications for Montenegrin citizenship following that decision; strongly condemns the so-called ‘golden passport’ scheme and regrets its extension until December 2022; urges Montenegro to take more action to prevent money laundering; stresses that citizenship by investment carries security risks and potential for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion;

Amendment 209 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Urges Montenegro to take more action to prevent money laundering, strongly condemns the so-called ‘golden passport’ scheme and regrets its extension until December 2022; stresses that citizenship by investment carries security risks and potential for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion; calls on Montenegro to review its "Golden Passport" scheme particularly in the light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; is worried by news claiming that multiple citizenships may have been granted to Russian oligarchs through this scheme; call on the authorities to investigate and take action on this matter;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that all 33 screened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017; encourages Montenegro to continue to specifically focus on meeting the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters;

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Urges Montenegro to take more action to prevent money laundering, strongly condemns the so-called ‘golden passport’ scheme and regrets its extension until December 2022; calls on the immediate termination of the citizenship by investment scheme; stresses that citizenship by investment carries security risks and potential for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion; notes with concern that between 07 December 2020 to 15 February 2022, the government reportedly awarded almost 200 citizenships to Russian nationals;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Urges Montenegro to take more action to prevent money laundering, strongly condemns the so-called ‘golden passport’ scheme and regrets its extension until December 2022 despite previous announcements to phase-out the scheme; stresses that citizenship by investment carries security risks and potential for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Urges Montenegro to take more action to prevent money laundering, and tax evasion; strongly condemns the so- called ‘golden passport’ scheme and regrets its extension until December 2022; stresses that citizenship by investment carries security risks and potential for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion;

Amendment 213 #

Jytte GUTELAND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Welcomes the adoption of a national climate change adaptation plan and encourages Montenegro to speed up reforms in line with the EU’s 20230 climate and energy policy framework;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Welcomes the adoption of a national climate change adaptation plan and encourages Montenegro to speed up reforms in line with the EU’s 2020 climate and energy policy framework; and the clean energy package as adopted by the Energy Community Ministerial Council in November 2021; encourages authorities to progress with drafting its National Energy and Climate Plan focussing on sustainable renewable energy sources and avoiding new investments in fossil gas and coal-based infrastructure and to submit it to the Energy Community Secretariat for its recommendations; calls in this context on Montenegro to increase efforts to cut its electricity distribution network losses and save electricity by encouraging investments inefficient heat pumps and solar thermal water heating;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Welcomes the adoption of a national climate change adaptation plan and encourages Montenegro to speed up reforms in line with the EU’s 2020 climate and energy policy framework; calls on effective using of EU pre-accession assistance in moving towards closing benchmarks of Chapter 27 - Environment and climate change;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

Amendment 217 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Welcomes the adoption of a national climate change adaptation plan ~~and~~; encourages Montenegro to speed up reforms in line with the EU’s 2020 climate and energy policy framework and calls on the authorities to make the best use of available EU pre-accession assistance in this regard;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Welcomes the adoption of a national climate change adaptation plan and encourages Montenegro to speed up reforms and strengthen its implementation and enforcement procedures in line with the EU’s 2020 climate and energy policy framework;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that all 33 screened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017; encourages Montenegro to specifically focus on meeting ~~the~~remaining interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters;

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35 a. Encourages Montenegro to considerably increase its efforts to diversify its renewable sources and reduce its reliance on climate-vulnerable hydropower generation, also bearing in mind the harmful effects on nature and environment of hydropower plants, in particular in protected areas;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)

35 b. Reiterates its urgent call to the Montenegrin authorities to immediately bring the Pljevlja coal powerplant into compliance with the Energy Community Treaty; calls on the authorities to publish the feasibility study for the planned modernisation project and publish the outcomes of the public prosecutor’s investigation into the tender process; expresses its concern on the lack of progress on monitoring and air quality improvements in polluted areas such as Pljevlja and urges the authorities to improve monitoring and implementation of air quality measures especially in polluted areas such as Pljevlja;

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35 a. Regrets that operation of the Pljevlja coal plant continues after it exceeded the number of operating hours and calls on Montenegro to comply with its obligations under the Large Combustion Plant Directive; notes with caution the EUR 15 million increase in costs of the planned EUR 54 million ecological reconstruction of the plant; notes that the reconstruction has not yet started; calls on Montenegrin authorities to consider a comprehensive transition plan in view of the closure;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Reiterates its call on Montenegro to take urgent measures to ~~pre~~effectively conserve protected areas, and encourages to continue identifying potential Natura 2000 sites; underlines the need to undertake appropriate assessments and ensure compliance with the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive when undertaking new investments that may affect potential Natura 2000 or Emerald sites, including Lake Skadar, Sinjajevina, Komarnica and others, or may result in a deterioration of the status of water bodies; shares serious concerns expressed by Montenegrin citizen and civic activists that one of the most precious among them, the Komarnica River Canyon, might be irreversibly devastated by construction of a dam for a hydropower plant in violation of the Bern Convention and calls on the authorities to conduct a detailed cost benefit analysis on its viability, including of existing alternatives based on more cost effective and less harmful solar and wind power; regrets the lack of proper ex-ante public consultations procedures and that despite initial progress the Sinjajevina issue is still not solved; calls in this context on authorities to duly take into account the independent scientific expertise available and the local protests and urges to definitely cancel the plans for the military training ground with a view to permanently protecting the pastoral landscape and local pastoralism;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Reiterates its call on Montenegro to take urgent measures to ~~preserve protected areas, and to continue identifying potential Natura 2000 sites~~effectively conserve protected areas; welcomes the designation of three marine protected areas in Montenegro (Platamuni, Katič and Stari Ulcinj); expresses its concern over developments in the Tara River Basin Biosphere Reserve; encourages to continue identifying potential Natura 2000 sites; welcomes the stopping of military use in the Sinjajevina mountain; notes however that the legal status of Sinjajevina needs to be further clarified;

Amendment 225 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Reiterates its call on Montenegro to take urgent measures to preserve protected areas, and to continue identifying potential Natura 2000 sites; welcomes the proclamation of the Platamuni area as the first Marine Protected Area in Montenegro and the nomination of the Biogradska Gora National Park’s beech forests for inclusion in UNESCO world heritage;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. ~~Reiterates its call on Montenegro to take urgent measu~~Welcomes the proclamation of three protected areas ~~to preserve protected areas, and~~and reiterates its call on Montenegro to continue identifying potential Natura 2000 sites;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. ~~Reiterates its call on Montenegro to take urgent measures to preserve protected areas, and~~Welcomes proclamations of three protected areas; reiterates its call on Montenegro to continue identifying potential Natura 2000 sites;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Regrets the lack of progress on key sector reforms in the area of transport policy; calls on Montenegro to further implement its Transport Development Strategy and strengthen administrative capacities for the implementation of trans-European transport networks; Notes with regret the damage to the Tara River linked to building the Bar- Boljare highway; calls on Montenegro to closely monitor the environmental impact of transport infrastructure construction; expresses concern that the cost of the Bar- Boljare highway was highly underestimated; notes that Montenegro’s application for co-financing from the Western Balkans Investment Framework is pending; underlines that infrastructure investments need to comply with EU standards and cost-benefit analyses;

Amendment 229 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Notes with regret the damage to the Tara River linked to building the Bar- Boljare highway; calls on Montenegro to closely monitor the environmental impact of transport infrastructure construction; underlines that in the Western Balkans, the construction sector is among the most vulnerable to organized crime and corruption; is concerned that there is no action taken on the highway case Bar- Boljare in Montenegro in spite of unclear public procurement procedures, lack of proper planning documentation, extraordinary prices and ecological concerns;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. CReiterates that a cross-party political commitment and functioning parliament are necessary for achieving substantial progress in key EU-related reforms, in particular the electoral and judicial reforms and fight against organised crime and corruption; calls for constructive and inclusive political dialogue and commitment of all parliamentary parties to overcome the current polarised political climate and strengthen the functioning of state institutions in order to achieve substantial progress in key EU-related reforms;

Amendment 230 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

37. Notes with regret the damage to the Tara River and the Durmitor National Park UNESCO Heritage Site linked to building the Bar- Boljare highway; calls on Montenegro to implement riverbed revitalisation measures and closely monitor the environmental impact of transport infrastructure construction; calls in this context on Montenegrin authorities to halt any further development of the port of Virpazar until the adoption of the Spatial Plan for Special Purposes for the Skadar Lake area;

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. ~~Calls on Montenegro to~~Notes the progress made in addressing illegal waste disposal and calls on Montenegro to take further steps in this regard;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Calls on Montenegro to address illegal waste disposal; notes the lack of progress and associated rising costs in building essential wastewater treatment plants to prevent sewage pollution in rivers and the sea in seven municipalities;

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Calls on Montenegro to address illegal waste disposal and to improve planning procedures for waste water treatment facilities, with a view to speeding up their construction;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38 a. Welcomes the suspension of concession agreements for small hydro plants that did not follow appropriate environmental standards; calls on all new projects to be in line with the EU’s standards on the environment, state aid, and concessions;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38 a. Encourages Montenegro to step up action on institutional and legislative reforms regarding hunting and fishing, with a particular focus on protected areas and protected species;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 b (new)

38 b. Against this backdrop, urges Montenegrin authorities to enforce effective, dissuasive and proportionate penalties for all environmental offences and to root out corruption in this sector;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for constructive and inclusive political dialogue and commitment of all parliamentary parties to overcome the current polarised political climate and strengthen the functioning of state institutions in order to achieve substantial progress in key EU-related reforms; notes that a functioning parliamentary democracy is key for reform processes;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for constructive and inclusive political dialogue and commitment of all parliamentary parties to overcome the current polarised political climate and strengthen the functioning of state institutions in order to achieve political stability and continue on its substantial progress in key EU-related reforms;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Underlines that political stability and a functioning executive are conductive to the implementation of the reforms needed by Montenegro to advance on its accession path; calls for more institutional coordination between the parliament and the government on prioritising legislative initiatives to introduce much needed reforms;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes the vote of no confidence in the government on 4 February 2022 and the ensuing dismissal of the Parliament’s speaker and EU-Montenegro SAPC Co- Chair; notes that the protracted political crisis has a direct impact on the speed and progress of Montenegro’s EU-related reforms and, as a consequence, Montenegro’s EU accession process; underlines the importance of continued respect for democratic processes, norms and standards; calls for the formation of a new government as soon as possible and the election of a new speaker and SAPC Co-Chair in line with the constitution, democratic norms and the pro-European aspirations of an overwhelming majority of Montenegro’s citizens;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes the vote of no confidence in the government on 4 February 2022 and the ensuing dismissal of the Parliament’s speaker; ~~calls~~urges the responsible stakeholders to stop blocking the Parliament and allow for the formation of a new government as soon as possible and the election of a new speaker in line with the constitution, democratic norms and the pro-European aspirations of an overwhelming majority of Montenegro’s citizens; invites political parties and their elected representatives to express their protest within institutionalised democratic procedures in the Parliament instead of calling people to the streets in order to escalate tensions;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes the vote of no confidence in the government on 4 February 2022 and the ensuing dismissal of the Parliament’s speaker; calls for ~~the formation of~~an inclusive dialogue among all parliamentary parties within Montenegro in order to form a new government as soon as possible and for the election of a new speaker in line with the constitution, democratic norms and the pro-European aspirations of an overwhelming majority of Montenegro’s citizens;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

— having regard to the Sofia Summit of 10 November 2020, including the Declaration on the Common Regional Market and the Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans,

Amendment 30 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes the vote of no confidence in the government on 4 February 2022 and the ensuing dismissal of the Parliament’s speaker; calls for the formation of a new government as soon as possible and the election of a new speaker in line with the constitution, democratic norms and the pro-European aspirations of an overwhelming majority of Montenegro’s citizens; calls for resumption of dialogue between all political, religious and social stakeholders, as well as for consensus on key reform issues to foster the country's overall progress towards the EU;

Amendment 31 #

David MCALLISTER

4. Notes the vote of no confidence in the government on 4 February 2022 and the ensuing dismissal of the Parliament’s speaker; calls for the formation of a new government as soon as possible and the election of a new speaker in line with the constitution, democratic norms and the pro-European aspirations of an overwhelming majority of Montenegro’s citizens; notes that the President proposed URA leader Dritan Abazović as prime minister-designate and entrusted him with the formation of a government on 3 March 2022;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Calls on all political forces to overcome the current political crisis in the country, with a view to building a strong pro-European and democratic platform that can ensure the necessary political stability and reduce political polarization and radicalization;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Notes that URA party leader Dritan Abazović has obtained the mandate from the President of Montenegro to form a new government composed of pro-European parties, which is highly welcomed especially in light of the recent Russian invasion in Ukraine and the continuous influence of pro- Russian political parties and narratives in the country;

Amendment 34 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front and s~~Strongly condemns the support expressed for the Russian Federation by some political leaders on the day of the start of Russian ~~aggression~~war against Ukraine; recalls Russia’s persistent and continuous interest in destabilising the country through the spread of manipulative disinformation and influence on state and non-state actors;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front and strongly condemns the support expressed for the Russian Federation, by a rather small group of people, on the day of the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine; recalls Russia’s persistent interest in destabilising the country; welcomes Montenegro's adoption of its own temporary protection mechanism for persons fleeing Ukraine, granting them the right to stay in the country for the duration of one year;

Amendment 36 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Charlie WEIMERS, Hermann TERTSCH, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front and strongly condemns the support expressed for the Russian Federation on the day of the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine; is seriously worried about links between high-level representatives of the Democratic Front and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service; recalls Russia’s persistent interest in destabilising the country;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front ~~and~~; strongly condemns the support expressed for the Russian Federation on the day of the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine, but notes relatively small scale of these demonstrations; recalls Russia’s persistent interest in destabilising the country;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes the protests against the possible formation of a minority government organised by the Democratic Front ~~and~~; strongly condemns the support expressed by protestors for the Russian Federation on the day of the start of Russian’s aggression against Ukraine; recalls Russia’s persistent interest in destabilising the country;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front and strongly condemns the support expressed for the Russian Federation on the day of the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine; recalls Russia’s persistent interest in destabilising the country and diverting it from its European path;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

— having regard to the Special Report 01/2022 of the European Court of Auditors: EU support for the Rule of Law in the Western Balkans: despite efforts, fundamental problems persist, of 10 January 2022,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front and strongly condemns the support expressed for the Russian Federation on the day of the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine; recalls Russia’s persistent interest in destabilising the country and the whole Western Balkan region;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Notes the protests against possible minority government organised by the Democratic Front and Democratic Montenegro;

Amendment 42 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Regrets that key positions in negotiating structures have remained vacant for a long time; urges the authorities to re-establish a fully functional~~Welcomes the consolidation and upgrading of the negotiating structure ~~as soon as possible~~in 2021;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Regrets that key positions in negotiating structures have remained vacant for a long time~~; urges the authorities to re-establish a fully functional negotiating structure as soon as possible~~ and welcomes recent positive developments and appointments of new negotiators and heads of working groups for 33 chapters of the Acquis;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. RNotes that work has clearly intensified following the long-awaited finalisation of appointments to administrative structures in the area of rule of law; regrets that key positions in negotiating structures have remained vacant for a long time; urges the authorities to re-establish a fully functional negotiating structure as soon as possible;

Amendment 45 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Regrets that key positions in negotiating structures have remained vacant for a long time; urges the authorities to re-establish a fully functional negotiating structure as soon as possible; the delayed appointment of the Head of Montenegro’s Mission to the EU and the appointment of key negotiators by clusters must be followed by other institutions' steps in order to ensure a more dynamic accession process;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Regrets that key positions in negotiating structures have remained vacant for a long time; urges the authorities to re-establish a fully functional negotiating structure as soon as possible; welcomes the efforts in consolidating and upgrading the negotiating structure in 2021 and calls on all political forces to maintain the accession process as a national political priority;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Regrets that key positions in negotiating structures have remained vacant for a long time; notes the steps to consolidate and upgrade of the negotiating structure; urges the authorities to re-establish a fully functional negotiating structure as soon as possible;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 5 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Charlie WEIMERS, Hermann TERTSCH, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)

— having regard to the Venice Commission’s opinions of March and May 2021 on the revised draft amendments to the law on the State Prosecution Service and to its previous opinions,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its a~~nnouncement of support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia, and it~~lignment with the latest EU sanctions against Russia, including the ban on overflight of their airspace by Russian flights and access to airports, prohibition of transactions with Russia's Central Bank and suspension of broadcasting Russian state-owned media; notes Russian response and adding Montenegro to the list of "enemy states"; welcomes Montenegro's active participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations;

Amendment 51 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its ~~announcement of~~full support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia, and its active participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations; calls for the seizure of the assets of the sanctioned persons by Montenegrin authorities;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its announcement of support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia, and its active participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations; welcomes the readiness to implement the EU sanctions against Russian propaganda outlets, RT-Russia Today and Sputnik, in accordance with applicable national legal procedures and encourages the government to take the necessary steps to provide the legal basis to enable the competent national authorities to take the necessary decisions;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its announcement of support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia, and its active participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations; encourages the Commission to consider an EU economic and financial assistance for Western Balkans countries that have joined all the EU sanctions against Russia aimed at mitigating consequences of the arising crisis as result of Russian invasion of Ukraine;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its announcement of support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia, and its active participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations; calls on Montenegro to take specific and concrete measures to ensure the country does not become a safe zone for hiding the assets of Russian oligarchs threatened with international sanctions;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued and full alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its announcement of support for the latest EU sanctions against Russia, and its active participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations, as well as in other international missions;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Welcomes the adoption of temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainian refugees; welcomes Montenegro's contribution to humanitarian aid to Ukraine;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Underlines the importance of Montenegro’s strategic alliance with the EU and with NATO; condemns attempts in the government, security and military sector to question the strategic orientation of Montenegro; encourages Montenegrin authorities to cooperate with both EU and NATO in the field of resilience to foreign interference, foreign manipulative disinformation and cybersecurity;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas each enlargement country is judged on its own merits, and the implementation of necessary reforms, in particular in the area of rule of law, determines the timetable and progress of accession;

Amendment 60 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Encourage~~Calls Mon~~tenegro to make best use of the EU funds~~ the EU to suspend the allocation of funds available to so-called candidate countries, in particular those available under the Instrument for Pre- Accession ~~Instrument~~Assistance (IPA III) and the Economic and Investment plan for the Western Balkans;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Encourages Montenegro to make best use of the EU funds available under the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA III) and the Economic and Investment plan for the Western Balkans, in order to strengthen institution-building and foster economic and democratic development, especially in the areas of rule of law, fundamental freedoms and wellbeing of its citizens;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Encourages Montenegro to make best use of the EU funds available under the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA III) and the Economic and Investment plan for the Western Balkans, while highlighting that any investment must be in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and EU decarbonisation targets;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Encourages Montenegro to make best use of the EU fundsing available under the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA III) and ~~the~~ Economic and Investment plan for the Western Balkans and urges the Commission to closely monitor the performance and ensure systematic assessment of the impact of EU funding;

Amendment 64 #

David MCALLISTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Encourages Montenegro to make best use of the EU funds available under the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA III) and the Economic and Investment pPlan for the Western Balkans;

Amendment 65 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned by the continuing political tensions between and within the executive and legislative powers, and by the ~~boycott~~current blockade of the parliament sessions, which continues to slow down the reform process; calls on the legislative and executive authorities to improve mutual coordination on prioritizing legislative initiatives pertaining to the EU reform agenda;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned by the continuing political tensions between and within the executive and legislative powers, and by ~~the boycott~~current blocking of organising plenary sessions of the parliament, which continues to slow down the reform process;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned by the continuing political tensions between and within the executive and legislative powers, and by the ~~boycott of the parliament~~current blockade of parliamentary sessions, which continues to slow down the reform process;

Amendment 68 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned by the continuing political tensions between and within the executive and legislative powers, and by the boycott of the parliament, which continues to slow down the reform process; calls on all parties to adopt a more constructive approach and to move forward towards the implementation of EU-inspired reforms;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned by the continuing political tensions between and within the executive and legislative powers, and by the boycott of the parliament, which continues to slow down the reform process; calls on all parties to engage in constructive political dialogue aimed at overcoming the current political crisis;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas ~~80 % of its citizens support the country’s future membership of the EU~~a recent poll conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) confirmed that the majority of EU citizens and Member States do not support EU enlargement to the Western Balkan countries;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned by the continuing political tensions between and within the executive and legislative powers, and by the boycott of the parliament, which continues to slow down the reform process; underlines the importance of paving the way towards a stable parliamentary majority;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Urges all parliamentary parties to fully engage in the work of the parliament and to avoid further polarisation of the political landscape; reminds that the only way to guarantee an ability to influence the decision-making process for their constituents is to engage in political processes; reiterates that political will and a broad cross-party dialogue as well as the proper functioning of democratic institutions are key to Montenegro’s progress in the accession negotiations;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. IExpresses its concerned about the lack of progress onin the judicial reform, including on the still pending appointments toin key independent institutions and the judiciary including the appointment of new Constitutional Court judges; encourages ~~the~~ Montenegrin authorities to fully ~~implement~~address the Venice Commission’s recommendations concerning the risks of politicisation of the Prosecutorial Council in line with the Venice Commission’s second opinion; welcomes the recent appointments of new members of the Prosecutorial Council, including a member from the representatives of NGOs, and notes that the independent functioning of the Special Prosecutor’s Office is of key importance for Montenegro’s progress in the area of rule of law;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. INotes the recent appointments in the judiciary, both in the Supreme Court and in the Prosecutorial Council; however, is concerned about the overall lack of progress on judicial reform, including ~~on the still~~a number of pending appointments to key independent institutions and the judiciary that require parliamentary majority; encourages the Montenegrin authorities to fully implement the Venice Commission’s recommendations concerning the risks of politicisation of the Prosecutorial Council;

Amendment 74 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Is concerned about the lack of progress on judicial reform, including on the still pending appointments to key independent institutions and the judiciary; encourages the Montenegrin authorities to fully implement the Venice Commission’s recommendations concerning the risks of politicisation of the Prosecutorial Council; encourages follow-up on recommendations by Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) linked to judiciary; notes the appointment of the new Prosecutorial Council in December 2021 and the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals in March 2022;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Welcomes the appointment of a new Prosecutorial Council in December 2021 including representatives of NGOs, which is a novelty in the Montenegrin system; welcomes the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals in March 2022; calls for further necessary steps to be taken to enhance the independence and functioning of the judiciary as well as other relevant supervisory and law enforcement institutions;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Urges the Commission to seriously consider the special report 01/2022 of the European Court of Auditors and implement its recommendations, thus adapting its Rule of Law related investments in the Western Balkans, including in Montenegro;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10 b. Calls upon the EU and the Western Balkan countries to establish a framework for a fruitful cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the Western Balkan countries, in order to ensure that the EPPO can effectively exert its competences in the area of EU funds, in particular in the area of IPA III funds in the Western Balkan countries;

Amendment 78 #

Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI, Hermann TERTSCH, Assita KANKO, Adam BIELAN, Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Reiterates its strong recommendation that Montenegro should hold local elections simultaneously across the country~~Welcomes that the Parliament of Montenegro amended the Law on Local Self Government, which foresees that local elections in 14 municipalities are to be held on the same date;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Reiterates its strong recommendation that Montenegro should~~Welcomes the adoption on 4 February 2022 of amendments to the Law on Local Self Government, which foresees holding local elections ~~simultaneously across the country~~in all 14 municipalities at the same date;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas during the Intergovernmental Conference of 22 June 2021, Montenegro accepted the revised enlargement methodology ~~based on thematic negotiation chapter clusters and the phasing-in of individual EU policies and programmes~~;

Amendment 80 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Reiterates its strong recommendation that Montenegro should hold local elections simultaneously across the country; regrets that progress for achieving a comprehensive electoral reform has been slow and more efforts are needed to harmonise the electoral legal framework and regulate all key aspects of elections, through an inclusive process, well in advance of the next elections;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Reiterates its strong recommendation that Montenegro should hold local elections simultaneously across the country; notes in this regard that on 4 February 2022 the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law amending the Law on Local Self Government, which foresees that local elections in 14 municipalities are to be held on the same date;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Reiterates its strong recommendation that Montenegro should hold local elections simultaneously across the country; in this respect, welcomes all parliamentary decisions aiming to unite the election dates for local elections;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Welcomes the continuation of the work of the Committee on Electoral Legislation Reform despite initial interruptions; underlines the importance of cooperation across political parties; expects the Committee to diligently work toward achieving meaningful reform; notes that the Jean Monnet Dialogue (JMD) instrument in Montenegro could be helpful to Montenegro in building the consensus necessary for generating a democratic parliamentary culture;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Is worried about widespread corruption and urges Montenegro to boost the criminal justice response to high-level corruption and create conditions for~~Takes the view that Montenegro is one of the countries most blighted by grand corruption in Europe today; underlines to theis effect~~ive and independent functioning of judicial institutions and independent bodies dealing with corruption~~ that even President Djukanovic is accused of being involved in several cases of malpractice at the highest levels of the state, and that the Panama Papers revealed that he and his son Blazo have set up shell companies in several tax havens;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Is worried about ~~widespread~~the prevalent corruption and urges Montenegro to ~~boost the~~step up criminal justice response to high-level corruption and to create the conditions for ~~the effective and independent functioning of~~ judicial institutions and independent bodies dealing with corruption to function effectively free from political influence;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Is worried about widespread corruption and urges Montenegro to boost the criminal justice response to high-level corruption and create conditions for the effective and independent functioning of judicial institutions and independent bodies dealing with corruption; welcomes that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) under new management demonstrated a more proactive approach, especially in stepping up its communication and outreach activities towards the general public, media and civil society and in addressing the caseload pending from previous years; regrets, however, that challenges related to the Agency’s independence, priority- setting, selective approach and the quality of its decisions remain and require sustained efforts in this respect;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 88 #

Amendment 89 #

David LEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas the European Union is Montenegro’s biggest trading partner, accounting for 38 % of total exports and 44 % of total imports in 2020;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes progress in ~~the~~ fight against organised crime and on international police cooperation, ~~and the increase in the number of organised crime cases investigated and prosecuted~~in particular in improving access for law-enforcement agencies to key data bases and increasing the number of investigators and experts as well as the increase in the number of organised crime cases investigated and prosecuted; encourages Montenegrin authorities to continue to address the existing deficiencies in the handling of organised crime cases and the seizure and confiscation of criminal assets;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes progress in the fight against organised crime and on international police cooperation, and the increase in the number of organised crime cases investigated and prosecuted; welcomes the cooperation between Montenegro and relevant EU bodies (i.e. EUROPOL) in what concerns the fight against trans-national crime; commends Montenegro for having been the first Western Balkan country to led a EUROPOL operation in 2019, and encourages the establishment of other similar initiatives in the near future;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Welcomes the ongoing cooperation of Montenegro with EU law enforcement agencies, such as Frontex, Europol and Eurojust, and notes the importance of this cooperation as it will assist Montenegro with tackling cross-border crime, including trafficking of weapons, drugs and human beings and combating terrorism and extremism;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Welcomes the agreement on border management cooperation between Montenegro and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), which allows Frontex to assist Montenegro in border management, carrying out joint operations and tackling cross-border crime at the country’s sea borders; welcomes Montenegro's constructive and cooperative role in this process;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13 b. Welcomes the police intervention in Mojkovac as a significant attempt to tackling cigarette trafficking in Montenegro; reiterates that further measures are needed, specifically in the Free Zone of the Port of Bar in order to tackle drug and cigarette smuggling in the country;

Amendment 95 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)

13 c. Welcomes the adoption of the Strategy on Migration and Reintegration of Returnees in Montenegro, for the period 2021-2025; notes the roadmap for cooperation between Montenegro and EASO has been signed in December 2021;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Welcomes the adoption of the Strategy on Migration and Reintegration of Returnees in Montenegro for the period 2021-2025;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)

13 d. Regrets the limited progress made on the implementation of the public administration reform (PAR); stresses the need of a merit-based recruitment of civil servants and the importance of depolitization of the public service;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Expresses concerns about the changes to the Law on Civil Servants and State Employees, which lowered merit- based recruitment and independence of civil servants and jeopardised Montenegro’s capacity to maintain staff experienced in EU-accession process; calls on the design process of the new Public Administration Reform Strategy to be conducted in an inclusive and transparent manner;

Amendment 99 #