2022/2202(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)

– having regard to the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans signed by Montenegro on 10 November 2020,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the EU’s lack of credibility over the past few years in its enlargement policy has created a breeding ground for malign third actors in the Western Balkans region, in particular Russia and China;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates its call for local-level elections to be held on the same day; welcomes the fact that elections in 14 municipalities were held on the same day in October 2022; calls for a robust legislative framework in this regard, with a particular focus on achieving gender balance among the elected representatives and improving and enforcing existing internal rules in this regard;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates its call for local-level elections to be held on the same day; welcomes the fact that elections in 14 municipalities were held on the same day in October 2022; notes, however, that amendments to the Law on Local Self- Government were assessed as unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Montenegro; calls for a robust legislative framework in this regard;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates its call for local-level elections to be held on the same day; welcomes the fact that elections in 14 municipalities were held on the same day in October 2022; calls for a robust legislative framework in this regard; calls to implement the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations with the aim to reform the entire electoral legislation;

Amendment 103 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that the 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections were competitive and well-managed overall, and that candidates were able to campaign freely and enjoyed equal opportunities to reach out to voters; regrets, however, that candidate registration was not inclusive and longstanding shortcomings in the legal framework and campaign finance regulations remained unaddressed; remains concerned about the vulnerability of the media to internal and external influences in terms of campaign coverage;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that the 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections were competitive and well-managed overall, and that candidates were able to campaign freely and enjoyed equal opportunities to reach out to voters; remains concerned about the vulnerability of the media to internal and external influences in terms of campaign coverage and about allegations of misuse of state resources in the pre-electoral period;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that the 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections were competitive and well-managed overall, and that candidates were able to campaign freely and enjoyed equal opportunities to reach out to voters; remains concerned about the vulnerability of the media to internal and external influences in terms of campaign coverage; regrets the underrepresentation of women in political life as gender stereotypes in the country persist;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Urg~~Notes that despite over 20 years of massive funding from the Member States, Montenegro has yet to put in place a credible and effective criminal justice response to corruption; ~~notes the improvement in the prevention of corruption and the positive trend in the work of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption;~~

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. UCalls on the authorities to swiftly adopt a National Strategy for the Fight Against High-Level Corruption and Organised Crime; urges Montenegro to put in place a credible and effective criminal justice response to corruption; notes the improvement in the prevention of corruption and the positive trend in the work of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption; calls on the authorities to criminalise illicit enrichment;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Urges Montenegro to put in place a credible and effective criminal justice response to corruption; notes the improvement in the prevention of corruption and the positive trend in the work of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption and encourages further strengthening the Agency’s integrity, impartiality and accountability to improve its performance and public trust; calls for a coordinated strategy for preventing corruption at the highest levels, in line with GRECO recommendations and EU standards, fostering an integrated approach on the preventing and repression of corruption;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Urges Montenegro to put in place a credible and effective criminal justice response to corruption; notes the improvement in the prevention of corruption and the positive trend in the work of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption; reiterates that more commitment and effort is needed to fight corruption and further strengthen the rule of law, which is inextricably linked to both freedom of the press and expression;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas structural and repeated postponements in the accession process risk to undermine the commitment of the Western Balkan countries and their citizens towards EU accession; whereas any hesitancy in moving further in the enlargement process would lead to a growing relevance of third actors that do not share our interests, values, and strategic objective, and that are already active in the region; whereas mis- and disinformation campaigns organised by third parties aim at presenting the EU as an unreliable, uninvolved partner for the Western Balkans countries;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Urges Montenegro to put in place a credible and effective criminal justice response to corruption; notes the improvement in the prevention of corruption and the positive trend in the work of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption; is concerned about the lack of progress in the fight against corruption, including high-level corruption;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Urges Montenegro to enhance its efforts in combating corruption, ensuring transparency, and strengthening accountability mechanisms in public administration.

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes the efforts being made in the fight against organised crime through legislative changes and the arrest of key figures; notes the rising numbers of final convictions, but remains concerned by the lengthy trials and frequent adjournments; calls on Montenegrin authorities to strengthen criminal investigations, increase the number of experts in this field, and ensure enhanced cooperation and monitoring in the criminal justice system;

Amendment 113 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes the efforts being made in the fight against organised crime through legislative changes and the arrest of key figures; notes the rising numbers of final convictions, but remains concerned by the lengthy trials and frequent adjournments; calls on Montenegro to improve its track record on corruption, particularly on cases of high-level corruption; calls for further alignment with the EU acquis on asset confiscation;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Takes note of the serious charges being brought against key figures in the judicial system; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to guarantee the right to a fair trial, including the right to an independent and impartial tribunal;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Stresses the importance of accelerating the judicial processes related to organized crime cases, ensuring that investigations are conducted thoroughly, and that verdicts are delivered promptly, while safeguarding the rights of the accused.

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Welcomes the positive efforts made in the area of illicit trade, namely cigarette smuggling; notes the new measures announced by the government in July 2022, prohibiting the storage of tobacco in Bar; reiterates the importance of further measures to tackle cigarette smuggling in the country, especially in the Free Zone of the Port of Bar;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Urges Montenegro to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking and protect victims, ensuring close cooperation with regional and international partners.

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Welcomes the ongoing cooperation of Montenegro with the 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 combat terrorism and extremism;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. 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 depoliticization of the public service;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the political leaders in all Member States, as well as in the enlargement countries, need to prove their genuine commitment to enlargement based on the Copenhagen criteria with concrete steps and progress in order to re- energise the whole process, ensuring its continuity, consistency, credibility and impact;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Welcomes the adoption of the new 2022-2026 strategy for public administration reform; remains concerned about the lowered requirements for merit-based recruitment, competence and independence of civil servants and the loss of staff with know- how of the EU accession process; urges Montenegro to effectively address these shortcomings, optimise state administration and implement managerial accountability; underlines the importance of recruitments on all levels of public administration based on principles of merit, competence and transparency;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

~~16. Welcomes the second Citizens’ Assembly in Montenegro and the follow- up visit of its participants to the European Parliament;~~deleted

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Calls on Montenegro to step up its efforts to combat hate speech, online harassment, politically biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media;~~deleted

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on Montenegro to step up its efforts to combat hate speech, and online harassment, which disproportionately affect women and human rights defenders, as well as politically biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on Montenegro to step up its efforts to combat hate speech, online harassment, politically biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media; urges politicians and public figures to vehemently denounce any messages trying to polarize society and undercut media trust and fundamental democratic norms; notes also the slow progress on freedom of expression;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on Montenegro to step up its efforts to combat hate speech, online harassment, politically biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media; underlines the importance of operational independence of Montenegro’s media regulators and public service broadcaster; in that respect welcomes the development of the RTCG’s Development Strategy and Digital Transformation Strategy for the period 2023-2027, recognising the vital role of the public broadcaster RTCG as the primary source of information; urges Montenegro to strive for independent and pluralistic quality media;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on Montenegro to step up its efforts to combat hate speech, online harassment, politically biased reporting and foreign influence in the Montenegrin media; recalls that hate speech incidents against ethnic and sexual minorities, such as homophobic incidents against LGTBIQ+ persons, are a matter of grave concern;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Expresses its concern about the deep political polarisation in the media landscape ~~and~~, 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; notes with concern the pressure being put on the local media market by expanding regional media competition;

Amendment 128 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Expresses its concern about the deep political polarisation in the media landscape, lack of media independence of the public broadcaster, and the pressure being put on the local media market by expanding regional media competition; emphasizes the need of media independence and freedom; calls on all authorities to refrain from taking any administrative, legislative, or political action that would jeopardize the public broadcaster's editorial, institutional, or financial independence; acknowledges the efforts to complete the Media Strategy of Montenegro 2022–2026; insists on the inclusion of media and civil society the revision of media legislation, in accordance with the EU acquis and standards;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Expresses its concern about the deep political polarisation in the media landscape and the pressure being put on the local media market by expanding regional media competition; calls upon media regulatory bodies, and relevant stakeholders to promote and support initiatives that encourage balanced and unbiased reporting, as well as the representation of diverse perspectives, in order to mitigate the impact of political polarisation;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas recent developments, in particular the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, have shown that non- enlargement has a massive strategic cost and can undermine security and stability on our continent;

Amendment 130 #

18. Expresses its concern about the deep political polarisation in the media landscape and the pressure being put on the local media market by expanding regional media competition; calls for further efforts in fostering a wide and respectful dialogue between different stakeholders, including civil society, to ensure political stability and reduce the polarisation;

Amendment 131 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Strongly encourages Montenegro to intensify efforts in addressing issues of media freedom, independence, and plurality, and to ensure the unhindered functioning of media outlets as a crucial pillar of democratic societies.

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Urges Montenegro to finally adopt a new set of media laws, namely the Law on Media, the Law on Public Media Service of Montenegro and the Law on Audiovisual Media Services;

Amendment 133 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes some positive steps, such as the introduction of tougher penalties for attacks and threats against journalists, and the establishment of the ad hoc commission for monitoring violence against the media and calls to urgently renew its mandate; reiterates, however, the need for the effective implementation of its findings and recommendations; calls for more transparency regarding classified files of attacks against women journalists; emphasises the need to review the investigation of the murder of the journalist Duško Jovanović and to engage with foreign experts to secure a full and effective investigation of the case;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 138 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes some positive steps, such as the introduction of tougher penalties for attacks and threats against journalists, and the establishment of the ad hoc commission for monitoring violence against the media; reiterates, however, the need for the effective implementation of its findings and recommendations; expresses concern over foreign actors, such as Russia and China, spreading disinformation campaigns and hybrid threats, thus, endangering Montenegro on its European path; 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;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Emphasises the need to review the investigation of journalist Dusko Jovanovic’s murder and to engage foreign experts to secure a full and effective investigation of the case;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)

Ad. whereas the new enlargement momentum sparked by the changed geopolitical reality after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the applications for EU membership by some Eastern Partnership countries has prompted the EU to accelerate the long-overdue deliveries to the Western Balkans;

Amendment 140 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Expresses concerns over the lack of independence of the national broadcast service (National Radio-Television of Montenegro) and the election of its director general in violation of the final court decision;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Expresses its concern over the independent position of the national broadcasting service (National Radio- Television of Montenegro) and the illegal election of the general director of the service;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

~~20. Urges Montenegro to conduct the population and housing census by the end of this year in line with EU and international standards;~~deleted

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Urges Montenegro to conduct the long over-due population and housing census by the end of this year in line with EU and international standards; expects it to be conducted in an open and transparent manner without any political interference, where all recognised national minorities are counted properly without fear of intimidation or prosecution;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Urges Montenegro to conduct the population and housing census by the end of this year in line with EU and international standards and urges to avoid any politicisation of the process;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Welcom~~Notes the ~~country’s multi- ethnic identity and call~~needs for ~~the~~ further promotion of and respect for all languages, cultural heritage and traditions of local communities; regrets the fact that societal polarisation and divisions have intensified; emphasises the need to protect the rights of all minorities and urges for strengthened, applied and implemented institutional and legal frameworks in this regard, including a new anti- discriminotes that the nations of the Western Balkans are good examples why multicultural societies leads to weak, fragile, violent and unproductive nation ~~law~~s;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Welcomes the country’s multi- ethnic identity and calls for the further promotion of and respect for all languages, cultural heritage and traditions of local communities; regrets the fact that societal polarisation and divisions have intensified; emphasises the need to protect ~~the rights of~~ all of the nationall minorities ~~and urges for strengthened, applied and implemented institutional and legal frameworks in this regard, including a new anti-discrimination law~~’ political, social and economic rights;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Welcomes the country’s multi- ethnic identity and calls for the further promotion of and respect for all languages, cultural heritage and traditions of local communities; regrets the fact that societal polarisation and divisions have intensified; emphasises the need to protect the rights of all minorities and urges for strengthened, applied and implemented institutional and legal frameworks in this regard, particularly regarding the Roma community, including a new anti- discrimination law; calls against this background on the authorities to tackle the intersectional discrimination that minorities face through a systemic and effective institutional approach;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Welcomes the country’s multi- ethnic identity and calls for the further promotion of and respect for all languages, cultural heritage and traditions of local communities and national minorities; regrets the fact that societal polarisation and divisions have intensified; emphasises the need to protect the rights of all minorities and urges for strengthened, applied and implemented institutional and legal frameworks in this regard, including a new anti-discrimination law;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Emphasises the need to protect the rights of all minorities and urges for strengthened, applied and implemented institutional and legal frameworks in this regard, including a new anti- discrimination law; in this regard, recalls the need to implement fully and effectively the 2021-2025 Strategy for the inclusion of Roma and Egyptians; calls for further steps to be taken to promote the wide inclusion of the LGBTIQ+ community, including in the public sector;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU has reiterated its full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of Montenegro and that the future of the country and its citizens lies within the EU; whereas nearly 80 % of Montenegrin citizens support future EU membership;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Regrets that the most vulnerable groups in society (including Roma and Egyptians, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ persons) were increasingly subjected to discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes; notes with concern that the increase in hate speech persists, particularly against women in politics;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. 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 152 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)

21c. 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 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Is concerned by the growing violence and hate speech towards LGBTI people; urges the authorities to adopt the Law on legal gender recognition based on self-determination, a new LGBTI Strategy and the amendments necessary for the full implementation of the Law on same- sex partnership;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Deplores the growing violence and hate speech against the LGBTI+ community; calls against this backdrop on Montenegro to adopt a Law on Legal Gender Recognition based on Self- Determination, a new LGBTI+ Strategy and the necessary amendments for the full implementation of the Law on Same- Sex Partnerships;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls on Montenegro to strengthen measures against hate speech, social exclusion and discrimination of the LGBTIQ+ community, and to improve their access to justice, employment, housing and healthcare;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls for the respect of the multi- ethnic identity of the Bay of Kotor; 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; welcomes the election of Croatian minority representative to the Parliament of Montenegro in the last elections;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. 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; 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;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Calls o~~Notes the need in Montenegro to improve access to justice and to ensure better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings on domestic violence, as well as enhanced protection despite massive support from the Member States for more than 20 years;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. CIs concerned by trends such as an uptick in femicides, openly expressed misogyny, gender-based violence and violence against children; calls on Montenegro to improve the access to justice ~~and to ensure~~, better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings ~~on domestic violence~~, as well as enhanced protection against domestic violence;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the future of the Western Balkan countries lies in the European Union; whereas accession to the EU remains a strategic priority for Montenegro and its people; whereas nearly 80 % of Montenegrin citizens support future EU membership;

Amendment 160 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Calls on Montenegro to improve access to justice and to ensure better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings on domestic violence, as well as enhanced protection;~~ Notes that gender-based violence continues to be of serious concern; urges Montenegro to implement the standards of the Istanbul convention, launch public awareness, encourage reporting of domestic violence and ensure proper investigation and prosecution of such crimes; calls on Montenegro to improve access to justice and to ensure better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings on domestic violence, as well as enhanced protection; remains concerned about sexism directed at women in politics and public life; regrets that violence against women contributes to preventing women from becoming involved in political life;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Calls on Montenegro to improve access to justice and to ensure better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings on domestic violence~~, as well as~~; calls for further specific measures to prevent gender-based violence, particularly within the domestic environment, by providing enhanced protection;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Calls on Montenegro to improve access to justice and to ensure better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings on domestic violence, as well as enhanced protection, particularly of women and children; calls on the Montenegrin authorities to comply with their responsibilities and positive obligations under international human rights law by establishing regular monitoring mechanisms to oversee the effectiveness of family justice systems for victims of domestic abuse; calls on Montenegro to introduce monitoring mechanisms to assess the specific impact of policies and procedures relating to family justice on marginalised groups of women; expresses concerns about the lack of progress and the conflicts of interest in the process of drafting amendments to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Calls on Montenegro to improve access to justice and to ensure better follow-up and enforcement of rights in proceedings on domestic violence, as well as enhanced protection; demonstrates concern regarding all gender-based violence; in this regard, stresses the need to eradicate all forms of discrimination and to address deeply rooted societal behaviours that discriminate against women;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 165 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Encourages Montenegro to intensify efforts in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, including measures to combat violence against women and support victims.

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Expresses concerns about the lack of progress and conflict of interest in the process of drafting amendments to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence; notes that the State Prosecutor, who is suspected of domestic violence, was delegated by the State Prosecution Office to the Working Group of the Ministry of Justice for Drafting Amendments to the Law;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Regrets~~Notes with anger the ongoing prevalence of discrimination against persons with disabilities; calls for the effective implementation of strategies to address the gaps in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities across sectors and policies;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Regrets the ongoing prevalence of discrimination against people with disabilities; laments the inconsistency between national laws and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with dDisabilities; calls for the effective implementation of strategies to address ~~the~~ gaps in upholding the rights of pe~~rsons~~ople with disabilities across sectors and policies, including healthcare, the labour market, and in administrative and judicial proceedings;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Regrets the ongoing prevalence of discrimination against persons with disabilities in enforcing their rights in administrative and judicial proceeding; calls for the effective implementation of strategies to address the gaps in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities across sectors and policies;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas Montenegro has gone furthest in the EU accession process, having opened all 33 screened chapters of the EU acquis and provisionally closed three;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Regrets the ongoing prevalence of discrimination against persons with disabilities; calls for the effective implementation of strategies to address the gaps in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities across sectors and policies; welcomes the fact that the reform of the National Disability Determination System is under way and calls for the effective implementation of strategies to tackle gaps in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities across sectors and policies, including healthcare, the labour market and in administrative and judicial proceedings; stresses the urgent need for a de-institutionalisation strategy;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Notes with concern the ~~signing of the Fundamental Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church amid criticism by civil society and political disagreement~~EU institutions hostile attitude and actions towards the Serbian Orthodox Church, yet another tool in the EU´s anti-European toolbox to dismantle European nations, cultures and religions;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Notes with concern the signing of the Fundamental Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church amid criticism by civil society and political disagreements for the lack of inclusive consultation and transparency;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Notes with concern the signing of the Fundamental Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church amid criticism by civil society and political disagreements; 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 so-called traditional family values and fortify relations between the state and the church;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Underlines the ~~key role of~~dubious and subversive roles most of the so-called civil society organisations have come to play in fun~~ctioning democraci~~dermining European nations and their democratic systems, often at the behest of EU institutions with funds taken from the Member States;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Underlines the key role of civil society organisations in functioning democracies; stresses that civil society, together with independent experts and local stakeholders, should be consulted in developing key legislation; notes that funding rules for civil society organisations have been set up, but only a limited number of the ministries have launched calls to award grants to these organisations;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Underlines the key role of civil society organisations in functioning democracies and the need to involve them in a meaningful, transparent and effective way in key reforms, including those related to the EU reform agenda; deplores attacks by State officials against civil society organisations that are critical of the government;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Underlines the key role of civil society organisations in functioning democracies; calls on Montenegrin authorities to better involve civil society in the accession process by strengthening cooperation and consultation mechanisms between state bodies and CSOs;

Amendment 178 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Underlines the key role of civil society organisations in functioning democracies; urges the Montenegrin authorities to further improve engagement with Civil Society Organisations, while ensuring inclusive consultations and transparency;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Underlines the key role of civil society organisations in functioning democracies and regrets verbal attacks made by state officials against CSOs;

Amendment 18 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas Montenegro evinces full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy;

Amendment 180 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Calls on Montenegro to urgently and fully implement the recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) from 2018, the Committee Against Torture (CAT) from 2022 and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 2022 with a view to combatting the climate of impunity in the country; in this context, urges Montenegro to prohibit the statute of limitations for criminal offences of torture and other forms of ill-treatment and to amend the definition of torture in accordance with the UN Convention Against Torture; against this background, calls on the authorities to secure prompt and effective investigations of cases of police violence and torture against detainees and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Calls on Montenegro to urgently and fully implement the UPR, CAT and CPT recommendations to combat the climate of impunity, amend the definition of torture according to the UN Convention against torture, secure the prompt and effective investigation of torture complaints and ensure that suspected perpetrators of torture be immediately suspended from duty for investigation and receive penalties commensurate with the seriousness of their actions if found guilty;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Acknowledges the signing of an upgraded agreement between the EU and Montenegro on operational cooperation in border management with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex);

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Welcomes the signing of the upgraded agreement on operational cooperation in border management with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) which will enter into force provisionally on 1 July 2023; encourages further cooperation between Montenegro and Frontex in order to strengthen border management, support asylum procedures, fight smuggling and enhance readmission;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4

Reconciliation, regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Notes Montenegro’s active participation in regional cooperation; ~~recalls its hesitations~~emphasises, however, 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 them, while strengthening further alignment with EU standards and acquis; recalls against this background its scepticism about the Open Balkan initiative and ~~note~~regrets Montenegro’s participation in the June and September summits as an observer;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Notes Montenegro’s active participation in regional cooperation; welcomes initiatives aimed at strengthening economic and political ties between countries in the region, but underlines that these should support and be complimentary with the EU integration process; in this regard recalls its hesitations about the Open Balkan initiative and notes Montenegro’s participation in the June and September summits as an observer;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Notes Montenegro’s active participation in regional cooperation; underscores the importance of inclusive economic cooperation that fosters deeper adherence to EU norms and the acquis; recalls its hesitations about the Open Balkan initiative and notes Montenegro’s participation in the June and September summits as an observer;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Notes Montenegro’s active participation in regional cooperation; recalls its hesitations about the Open Balkan initiative and notes Montenegro’s participation in the June and September summits as an observer; praises Montenegro for respecting minority rights and taking a positive role in the regional relations;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Notes Montenegro’s active participation in regional cooperation; encourages it to step up its reconciliation efforts and seek solutions to past disputes; recalls its hesitations about the Open Balkan initiative and notes Montenegro’s participation in the June and September summits as an observer;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas Montenegro's integration into the European Union is vital for the stability and prosperity of the entire Southeast Europe;

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes the recent agreements in the context of the Berlin Process on the Freedom of Movement with Identity Cards, on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, and on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists and Architects; calls for their rapid implementation, and commends their ratification by the Montenegrin government;

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes the recent agreements in the context of the Berlin Process and encourages the new parliament to adopt them;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes the recent agreements in the context of the Berlin Process; stresses on the importance of making full use of all the regional and intergovernmental initiatives that are already existing, notably the Adriatic Ionian Initiative (AII), the Central-European Initiative (CEI), the EUSAIR, and the Berlin Process, creating synergies among them;

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Urges Montenegro to step up efforts to identify, prosecute, and punish war crimes and their glorification while also clarifying the fate of missing persons; commends Montenegro’s continued cooperation under the Sarajevo Declaration Process; regrets that many challenges remain with regard to the economic and social integration and wellbeing for many families;

Amendment 194 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Calls on Montenegro to proactively investigate all war crimes allegations and raise issues of command responsibility, aiding and abetting; in this context, calls for effective regional cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of persons indicted for war crimes; urges Montenegro to review old cases that were not prosecuted in line with international humanitarian law, as well as domestic law, and to ensure that all victims and their family members obtain redress and/or administrative compensation for their suffering;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Calls on Montenegro to proactively investigate all war crimes allegations, and raise issues of command responsibility, aiding and abetting; urges the authorities to review old cases that were not prosecuted in line with international humanitarian law as well as domestic law, and ensure all victims and their family members obtain redress and/or administrative compensation for their suffering;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Urges Montenegro to intensify its efforts in punishing war crimes and condemns their glorification, and work on clarifying the fate of missing persons; calls on Montenegro to fight Russian narative and local radical organisations supporting it;

Amendment 197 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Reiterates the importance to punish war crimes and its glorifications; urges Montenegro to open up former Yugoslav secret service archives and follow an adequate legal procedures to transfer relevant files to the Montenegrin state archives;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)

27b. Is concerned by the dissolved Montenegrin parliament's adoption of the Law on Veterans and Disability Protection, which selectively prescribes the institute of "civilian victims of war" and their right to monetary compensation, despite the fact that the Law has not yet taken effect;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)

27b. Calls on Montenegro to comply fully with the provisions on succession of the former Social Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, especially as regards military assets;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 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 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas each enlargement country is judged on its own merits and whereas it is the fulfilment of the enlargement criteria, implementation of the necessary reforms, in particular in the area of ‘fundamentals’ and legislative alignment that determine the timetable and progress of accession recognizing that the enlargement process should be inclusive, transparent, and consistent with the Copenhagen criteria, and that it should ensure the adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and good governance;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)

27c. Reiterates its call to open the archives that concern the former republics of Yugoslavia and for access to be granted to the files of the former Yugoslav Secret Service (UDBA) and the Yugoslav People’s Army Secret Service (KOS) in order to thoroughly research and address communist era crimes;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls for concrete steps to be taken by Montenegro to resolve long-standing bilateral disputes in a constructive and neighbourly manner, including the unresolved border demarcation issues with Serbia and Croatia as early as possible during the accession process;

Amendment 202 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls for concrete steps to be taken to resolve long-standing bilateral disputes in a constructive and neighbourly manner; Emphasizes the importance of enhancing cooperation between Montenegro and neighbouring countries to address shared challenges, promote good neighbourly relations, and advance regional stability and development.

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls for concrete steps to be taken to resolve long-standing bilateral disputes in a constructive and neighbourly manner; encourages the promotion of cross-border initiatives, including the EU co-financed Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Serbia and Montenegro;

Amendment 204 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls for concrete steps to be taken to resolve long-standing bilateral disputes in a constructive and neighbourly manner; calls for effective regional cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of persons indicted for war crimes;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Encourages Montenegro to foster inclusive economic growth that benefits all segments of society, including marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Encourages Montenegro to adjust its economic growth strategy in order to boost productivity, human capital and accelerate its convergence with the EU as advised by the World Bank;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Notes the decrease in Montenegro’s public debt, but remains highly concerned by debt-related vulnerabilities, in particular to China and calls on the authorities to reduce this economic dependence on China; calls on Montenegro to take further steps towards the sustainability of public finances and to develop measures to reduce the informal economy;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Notes the decrease in Montenegro’s public debt, but remains concerned by debt-related vulnerabilities, including those related to China; calls on Montenegro to take further steps towards the sustainability of public finances and to develop measures to reduce the informal economy;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Notes the decrease in Montenegro’s public debt, but remains concerned by debt-related vulnerabilities; calls on Montenegro to take further steps towards the sustainability of public finances and to develop measures to reduce the informal economy; reiterates the need for increased public investments of the education system for sustainable social and economic development;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas Montenegro as a candidate country should be judged on its own merits, that includes respect and unwavering commitment for European shared rights and values and alignment with EU’s foreign and security policy;

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Regrets against this background Montenegro’s participation in the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and calls on the country to continue making use of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and the EU Global Gateway Initiative with a view to finding greener and transparent alternatives for financing infrastructure projects;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Regrets China's exerting influence in Montenegro via its economic means, namely the $1 billion loan used to build the Bar-Boljare highway; in that respect notes China’s increased interest in investing in the Western Balkans and transportation infrastructure projects in Montenegro as part of its Belt and Road Initiative; welcomes the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and the EU Global Gateway Initiative as greener, transparent alternatives for financing infrastructure projects; welcomes recent efforts made towards decreasing these fiscal vulnerabilities, including those related to China;

Amendment 212 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Javier NART

30a. Notes China’s continued interest in investing in the Western Balkans; notes with concern the signing of a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese consortium to build a highway connecting Budva and Tivat, bearing in mind Montenegro’s previous indebtedness to China;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Calls on Montenegro to enhance its fiscal economic policies in order to align its public debt levels with the target set by the EU's Stability and Growth Pact, ensuring they do not exceed 60% of the GDP; urges Montenegro to strengthen its foreign investment screening mechanism to enhance economic security, prevent political interference, and address issues of bad governance; emphasizes the importance of improving the sustainability of its exports by reducing overreliance on extractive industries, such as copper ore and raw aluminium;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)

30b. Calls on Montenegrin authorities to take further steps to implement digital services for micro, small and medium enterprises, prioritise the development of transactional electronic services, implement the strategy for the digitalisation in the educational system;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Recognizes the significance of investing in education and vocational training to address youth unemployment and promote economic growth and social cohesion in Montenegro;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes Montenegro’s decision to terminate its citizenship by investment programme on 31 December 2022; ~~emphasises, furthermore, the need for further alignment with EU visa policy;~~

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes Montenegro’s decision to terminate its citizenship by investment programme on 31 December 2022; regrets, however, that between 2019 and 2022, more than 70% of these so-called “golden passports” were granted to Russian citizens and calls on the authorities to review past decisions, especially in light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; emphasises, furthermore, the need for further alignment with EU visa policy;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes Montenegro’s decision to terminate its citizenship by investment programme on 31 December 2022; notes that since the start of this scheme more than 70% of the passports issued were granted to citizens of the Russian Federation; underscores the security, corruption and money laundering risks such schemes can bring; emphasises, furthermore, the need for further alignment with EU visa policy;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas Montenegro has accepted the gradual adoption of the European Union’s objectives and policies during the negotiation process;

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Encourages Montenegro to make the best use of the EU funds available under the IPA III and the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, including the Western Balkans Investment Framework and the Youth Guarantee in the Western Balkans;

Amendment 221 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Encourages Montenegro to make the best use of the EU funds available under the IPA III and the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, including the Youth Guarantee in the Western Balkans; stresses that, in line with IPA III conditionality, funding must be modulated or suspended in the event of a significant regression or persistent lack of progress on fundamentals;

Amendment 224 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)

32a. Calls on the EU and the Western Balkan countries to establish a framework for effective cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the accession countries; encourages the Western Balkan countries to swiftly conclude bilateral working arrangements with the EPPO in order to facilitate close cooperation and the prosecution of the misuse of EU funds, including through the secondment of national liaison officers to the EPPO;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)

32a. Calls on the Commission to make the necessary legal and political arrangements to extend the jurisdiction of the EPPO to EU funds devoted to Montenegro as a candidate country;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 b (new)

32b. Reiterates its call to the Commission to implement the recommendations of the special report 01/2022 of the European Court of Auditors, thus adapting its rule of law- related investments in the Western Balkans, including in Montenegro;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

Energy, the environment, biodiversity, sustainable development and connectivity

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

~~33. Welcomes the Commission’s energy support package for the Western Balkans;~~deleted

Amendment 229 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Welcomes the Commission’s energy support package for the Western Balkans and underlines the utmost importance of designating emergency support package funds to relieve the effects of the energy crisis and support Montenegro’s transition towards an energy-efficient and renewable energy- based economy, in line with the REpowerEU plan; in this context, urges the national authorities to adopt appropriate measures on energy efficiency and savings, in conjunction with facilitating the deployment of renewable energy with a view to addressing the energy crisis and transitioning away from fossil fuels;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)

Bd. whereas democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law are the fundamental values on which the EU is founded; whereas sustainable reforms and their implementation are needed to tackle the challenges that remain in these areas;

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Welcomes the Commission’s energy support package for the Western Balkans; calls on Montenegro to start operating a functioning day-ahead electricity market, takes note of the first steps taken in this regard; calls on Montenegro to better integrate with EU Member States’ energy markets and to boost the implementation of energy efficiency measures;

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33a. Welcomes the launch of day-ahead electricity market at MEPX, making the market more liquid and transparent, which benefits both consumers and producers and ensures fair prices, more secure and reliable electricity supply and greater integration of renewable energy source, thus, ameliorating the integration into the European energy union;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

~~34. Calls on Montenegro to accelerate its sustainable energy transition; underlines that all new renewable energy projects must comply with the EU acquis on concessions, State aid and the environment;~~deleted

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Calls on Montenegro to accelerate its sustainable energy transition, in line with the Paris Agreements and the EU decarbonisation goals; underlines that all new renewable energy projects must comply with the EU acquis on concessions, State aid and the environment; highlights the need to effectively transpose and implement the revised Clean Energy for all Europeans Package;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Calls on Montenegro to accelerate its sustainable energy transition; underlines that all new renewable energy projects must comply with the EU acquis on concessions, State aid and the environment; notes with concern the extension of the operation of the Pljevlja coal power plant, despite the ongoing infringement procedure launched by the Energy Community Secretariat; notes the start of the plant’s ecological reconstruction worth EUR 70 million;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34a. Expresses deep concerns about the changes introduced to the Law on Industrial Emissions, which sets a dangerous precedent by allowing the Pljevlja coal-fired thermal power plant to continue operating for more than two years, despite the breach of the Large Combustion Plant Directive under the Energy Community Treaty (ECT); calls on Montenegro to remedy this serious breach without delay;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34a. Underlines the importance of Montenegro’s infrastructure investments to comply with the EU standards on Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and respect the EU public procurement and state aid;

Amendment 237 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. ~~Calls on~~Proposes Montenegro to step up the development and ~~adoption of the National Energy and Climate Plan; calls on Montenegro to~~building of nuclear reactors and other modern power plants and at the same time improve waste management practices and to protect water quality;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Calls on Montenegro to step up the development and adoption of tha coherent and credible National Energy and Climate Plan in line with the Governance Regulation and the Energy Community timeline; calls on Montenegro to improve waste management practices and to protect water quality;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Calls on Montenegro to step up the development and adoption of the National Energy and Climate Plan and strengthen its implementation and enforcement procedures in line with the EU’s climate and energy policy framework; calls on Montenegro to improve waste management practices and to protect water quality;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the EU continues to be their biggest trading partner and largest provider of investment and financial assistance to Montenegro through the IPA III, the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, and macro- financial assistance;

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Calls on Montenegro to step up the development and adoption of the National Energy and Climate Plan; calls on Montenegro to improve waste management practices and to protect water quality; calls on Montenegro to strengthen its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development, including the preservation of biodiversity and the effective implementation of climate change mitigation measures;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35a. Encourages Montenegro to adopt the amendments to the Law on Protection against the Negative Impacts of Climate Change in order to accelerate the approximation with the EU and the Energy Community acquis;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)

35b. Calls on the authorities to speed up the process of the development of the Montenegro General Spatial Plan since the previous plan expired in 2020; recalls that this new plan should be developed based on the public interest in a transparent manner and apply to all new energy projects;

Amendment 243 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35a. Commends Montenegro for signing a memorandum of understanding with the US while advancing works to install an LNG terminal in the port of Bar; expects Montenegro to commit to this project in order to diversify energy supply and enhance energy security;

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)

35c. Reiterates its call on Montenegro to take urgent measures to effectively conserve protected areas, and encourages it 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 citizens and civic activists that one of the most precious among them, the Komarnica River Canyon, might be irreversibly devastated by the 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 options such as solar and wind power;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 d (new)

35d. Deeply regrets the damage to the Tara River Basin Biosphere Reserve and the Durmitor National Park UNESCO heritage site linked to the building of the Bar-Boljare highway; reiterates its calls on Montenegro to implement riverbed revitalisation measures and closely monitor the environmental impact of transport infrastructure construction; reiterates its concerns that the cost of the Bar-Boljare highway was largely underestimated and that no action has been taken despite unclear public procurement procedures, the lack of planning documentation and ecological concerns;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 e (new)

35e. 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 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 f (new)

35f. Against this backdrop, urges the Montenegrin authorities to enforce effective, dissuasive and proportionate penalties for all environmental offences and to root out corruption in this sector;

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35a. Welcomes the Tirana Summit agreement on reducing roaming costs between the EU and the Western Balkans from 1 October 2023; welcomes the agreement of 3 May between 38 telecommunication operators from the EU and Western Balkans reducing the costs of data roaming; calls for the full removal of costs of roaming as soon as possible;

Amendment 249 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)

35b. Welcomes the agreement at the Tirana Summit on reduced roaming costs between the EU and the Western Balkans from 1 October 2023 with a view to full removal thereafter; calls on the authorities, private actors and all stakeholders to facilitate reaching the agreed targets to achieve a substantial reduction of roaming charges for data exchange;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the EU is Montenegro's biggest trading partner and investor;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas over the next seven years, the EU will mobilize up to €30 billion in cooperation with international financial institutions through the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans launched in 2020;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas Montenegro faces challenges stemming from malign foreign interference and disinformation campaigns;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

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

Amendment 29 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Commend~~Observes Montenegro’s ~~long- standing~~claimed commitment to EU integration, underpinned by a ~~high~~certain level of public support~~; reiterates its support for Montenegro~~ only due to the perceived financial gains this ~~regard; stresses that progress in negotiations depends on meeting interim rule of law benchmarks; regret~~might lead to; notes also the rightful doubts about the anti-European and anti-family policies of the EU reiterates its support for Montenegro stay outside of the EU; notes that no chapters ~~have been clos~~was completed in the past six years despite massive funding from taxpayers of the Member States;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

– having regard to the speech by Commission President Von der Leyen at the GLOBSEC 2023 Bratislava Forum on 23 May 2023,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 31 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Commends Montenegro’s long- standing commitment to EU integration, underpinned by a high level of public support; reiterates its support for Montenegro in this regard; stresses that progress in negotiations depends on meeting interim rule of law benchmarks; ~~regrets that no chapters have been closed in the past six yea~~notes that all 33 screened chapters have been opened, but regrets that none have been closed since 2017, slowing down Montenegro’s positive track record and status as the most advanced Western Balkans country in its progress towards EU accession; welcomes Montenegro’s acceptance of the revised enlargement methodology; encourages Montenegro to continue specifically focusing on meeting the remaining interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 and thereafter on closing chapters;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Commends Montenegro’s long- standing commitment to EU integration, underpinned by a high level of public support; reiterates its support for Montenegro in this regard; stresses that progress in negotiations depends on meeting interim rule of law benchmarks; regrets that no chapters have been closed in the past six years; reaffirms that the pace of the enlargement process remains linked to the individual countries' capacity to meet the criteria for accession, but it is also dependent on EU institutions' and Member States' commitment towards this end; stresses that structural and repeated postponements in the accession process risk to undermine the EU credibility and therefore the commitment of the Western Balkan countries and their citizens towards the accession process;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 35 #

Thierry MARIANI, Jean-Lin LACAPELLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Commends Montenegro’s long- standing commitment to EU integration, underpinned by a high level of public support; reiterates its support for Montenegro in this regard; stresses that progress in negotiations depends on meeting interim rule of law benchmarks; regrets that no chapters have been closed in the past six years; calls on Montenegro to intensify its efforts in the accession negotiations and work towards the closure of the remaining chapters, based on measurable progress and tangible results in the areas of the rule of law, fundamental rights, and good governance.

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Regrets the fact that high political tensions and polarisation, the failure to build consensus on matters of national interest and a lack of cross-party dialogue have stalled progress on EU-related reforms and plunged Montenegro into a deep political and institutional crisisDenounces the EU’s sympathetic attitude towards Milo Đukanović, Prime Minister and then President of Montenegro over a period of almost 23 years, on the pretext of his desire to join the European Union and NATO; recalls that the EU’s relationship with Milo Đukanović will remain a blatant example of ‘double standards’, meaning that the EU’s moralising will go unheard in the rest of the world;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Regrets the fact that high political tensions and polarisation, the failure to build consensus on matters of national interest and a lack of cross-party dialogue ~~have stalled progress on EU-related reforms and~~ plunged Montenegro into a deep political and institutional crisis;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)

– having regard to Montenegro’s status as a Contracting Party of the Energy Community Treaty since 1 January 2007,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on all Montenegrin authorities to work together for the country’s European future, as a clear message to Montenegrin citizens; stresses the urgent need for political stability, commitment and credible engagement in consensus-building across party lines to move the stagnant EU reform process forward, notably as regards the urgent rule of law reforms;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Takes note of the results of the presidential elections held in March 2023 and the early parliamentary elections held in June 2023; encourages the President, the new parliament and the government to focus on the key reforms needed for the country to make progress ~~in EU integration, and remains ready to cooperate with all political actors to support the country in maintaining its strategic course~~;

Amendment 43 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Takes note of the results of the presidential elections held in March and April 2023 and the early parliamentary elections held in June 2023; expresses a firm belief that Montenegro needs a stable pro-European government and an EU- oriented majority to speed up EU-related reforms, encourages the President, the new parliament and the government to focus on the key reforms needed for the country to make progress in EU integration, and ensure their proper and timely implementation; remains ready to cooperate with all political actors to support the country in maintaining its strategic course;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Takes note of the results of the presidential elections held in March 2023 and the early parliamentary elections held in June 2023; encourages the President, the new parliament and the government to focus on the key reforms needed for the country to make progress in EU integration and avoid deepening political polarisation, and remains ready to cooperate with all political actors to support the country in maintaining its strategic course;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Takes note of the results of the presidential elections held in March 2023 and the early parliamentary elections held in June 2023; takes note of the record low voter turnout of the parliamentary elections of 56.4%; encourages the President, the new parliament and the government to focus on the key reforms needed for the country to make progress in EU integration, and remains ready to cooperate with all political actors to support the country in maintaining its strategic course;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Takes note of the results of the presidential elections held in March 2023 and the early parliamentary elections held in June 2023; is concerned about the decreasing number of women among the Members of Parliament; encourages the President, the new parliament and the government to focus on the key reforms needed for the country to make progress in EU integration, and remains ready to cooperate with all political actors to support the country in maintaining its strategic course;

Amendment 47 #

Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Javier NART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Takes note of the results of the presidential elections held in March 2023 and the early parliamentary elections held in June 2023; encourages the President, the new parliament and the government to focus on the key reforms needed for the country to make progress in EU integration, and remains ready to cooperate with all political actors to support the country in maintaining its strategic course; calls on elected political leaders to use clear and unambiguous communication on Montenegro's European path and close relationship with the EU;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on the elected President and political parties to refrain from using inflammatory rhetoric and language in political discussions so as to prevent further polarisation in the country and additional tensions in the region;

Amendment 49 #

Thierry MARIANI, Jean-Lin LACAPELLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas enlargement is ~~the EU’s most effective foreign policy instrument and a strategic and future-oriented geopolitical investment in peace, stability and security~~a headlong rush by the EU, which no longer takes into account the criteria of economic rigour but uses enlargement as a geopolitical tool to cement the membership of certain countries in the Euro-Atlantic camp, thereby exacerbating the bloc mentality and aggravating global tensions, while putting at risk the economic, political and social stability of existing Member States;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including all of the sanctions adopted following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; ~~commends its material and humanitarian support to Ukraine~~encourages the newly formed government to continue Montenegro’s commitment to continued full alignment to CFSP and international support to Ukraine; commends its material and humanitarian support to Ukraine including the Temporary Protection mechanism for persons fleeing Ukraine, granting them the right to stay in the country for one year;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes Montenegro’s continued full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including all of the sanctions adopted following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine~~; commends its material and humanitarian support to Ukraine~~, and its support for an international rules-based order at the level of the United Nations; commends its material and humanitarian support to Ukraine; expresses, however, concern over the fact that increasing numbers of Russian citizens, including oligarchs, take up residency in Montenegro’s capital and coastal region; urges to ensure that Montenegro will not become a hub for entities and individuals that wish to circumvent sanctions;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

~~5. Welcomes Montenegro’s active involvement in EU common security and defence policy missions and operations, and in NATO missions;~~deleted

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

~~5. Welcomes Montenegro’s active involvement in EU common security and defence policy missions and operations, and in NATO missions;~~deleted

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes Montenegro’s active involvement in EU common security and defence policy missions and operations, and in NATO missions, while recognising Montenegro’s strategic alliance with the EU and NATO; condemns any alleged attempts in the government, security and military sector to question its strategic orientation;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes Montenegro’s active involvement in EU common security and defence policy missions and operations, such as EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta, and in NATO missions;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes Montenegro’s active involvement in EU common security and defence policy missions and operations, ~~and~~ in NATO and other international and multilateral missions;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas enlargement ishas historically been the EU’s most effective foreign policy instrument to incentivise and encourage fundamental reforms, including in the area of rule of law, and a strategic and future-oriented geopolitical investment in peace, stability, democracy and security throughout the continent;

Amendment 60 #