waz.euobserver.com
ZELJKO PANTELIC
06.11.2010 @ 09:16 CET
The European Commission will recommend next week that Montenegro be granted candidate status in its latest progress report on the country, but will stop short of giving a date for the start of accession talks.
Like Macedonia, Montenegro is being given more time to bring its institutions up to scratch but in general it will receive worse marks in the most recent report than Serbia.
06.11.2010 @ 09:16 CET
The European Commission will recommend next week that Montenegro be granted candidate status in its latest progress report on the country, but will stop short of giving a date for the start of accession talks.
Like Macedonia, Montenegro is being given more time to bring its institutions up to scratch but in general it will receive worse marks in the most recent report than Serbia.
Although Montenegro is considered to have a parliamentary democracy, parliament's control of the government remains weak, the report says. And although there is broad consensus on the fundamentals of economic policy, the commission does not believe that the country is a functioning market economy.
The Brussels body expresses most concern about shortcomings in the rule of law.
"While the country's legal and institutional basis is broadly in place, there are deficiencies in the functioning of democratic institutions and shortcomings in implementation of the legislation persist," says the report, which has been seen by WAZ.EUobserver.
"The separation of powers is not fully respected in the case of the judiciary. The public administration remains weak and highly politicized."
The report continues: "The main concerns are related to the politicization of the judiciary and shortcomings in the functioning of law enforcement institutions, in particular in fighting organized crime and corruption. There are also concerns over efficiency and accountability of the judiciary."
Corruption remains a serious problem, although laws and institutions to fight against it do exist.
"Anti-corruption legislation is not consistently implemented. The legal frameworks on prevention of conflicts of interest and on financing of political parties and electoral campaigns have important deficiencies. There is no consistent internal control to monitor corruption and ensure accountability and respect of rule of law within the state bodies.
"This applies in particular in areas such as tax administration and customs, the police and judiciary and local administration. Strong political will is needed to significantly improve performance in combating corruption. The track record of investigations, prosecutions and final convictions in corruptions cases at all levels remains low," the commission experts write.
According to the report, human rights are broadly respected in Montenegro but anti-discrimination policies have not yet proven to be effective. Freedom of expression remains patchy and civil society is underdeveloped.
The commission acknowledges that important progress has been made in adopting legislation in line with EU standards in internal market, trade related provisions, customs and taxation.
If Montenegro continues its efforts, it should comply with EU requirements in a number of areas including taxation, education, customs and defence policy within the next three to five years, the commission experts say. But they add that more work is needed to meet standards related to freedom of movement for workers and capital, information society and media, and consumer and health protection.
The prospects are rather bleak, however, when it comes to agriculture and rural development, social policy and employment, food safety, fisheries, statistics, social policy and employment, regional policy, judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, and financial control. The starting date for accession talks will directly depend on progress made in these areas.
The Brussels body expresses most concern about shortcomings in the rule of law.
"While the country's legal and institutional basis is broadly in place, there are deficiencies in the functioning of democratic institutions and shortcomings in implementation of the legislation persist," says the report, which has been seen by WAZ.EUobserver.
"The separation of powers is not fully respected in the case of the judiciary. The public administration remains weak and highly politicized."
The report continues: "The main concerns are related to the politicization of the judiciary and shortcomings in the functioning of law enforcement institutions, in particular in fighting organized crime and corruption. There are also concerns over efficiency and accountability of the judiciary."
Corruption remains a serious problem, although laws and institutions to fight against it do exist.
"Anti-corruption legislation is not consistently implemented. The legal frameworks on prevention of conflicts of interest and on financing of political parties and electoral campaigns have important deficiencies. There is no consistent internal control to monitor corruption and ensure accountability and respect of rule of law within the state bodies.
"This applies in particular in areas such as tax administration and customs, the police and judiciary and local administration. Strong political will is needed to significantly improve performance in combating corruption. The track record of investigations, prosecutions and final convictions in corruptions cases at all levels remains low," the commission experts write.
According to the report, human rights are broadly respected in Montenegro but anti-discrimination policies have not yet proven to be effective. Freedom of expression remains patchy and civil society is underdeveloped.
The commission acknowledges that important progress has been made in adopting legislation in line with EU standards in internal market, trade related provisions, customs and taxation.
If Montenegro continues its efforts, it should comply with EU requirements in a number of areas including taxation, education, customs and defence policy within the next three to five years, the commission experts say. But they add that more work is needed to meet standards related to freedom of movement for workers and capital, information society and media, and consumer and health protection.
The prospects are rather bleak, however, when it comes to agriculture and rural development, social policy and employment, food safety, fisheries, statistics, social policy and employment, regional policy, judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, and financial control. The starting date for accession talks will directly depend on progress made in these areas.
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