Inter-Parliamentary Union - British Group - Outward Delegation to Montenegro 15 to 18 February 2009


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Delegation Reports

Outward Delegation to Montenegro

15 to 18 February 2009

Report by Roger Berry MP

Delegation

Roger Berry MP - Leader, Labour
David Chaytor, Labour
Nigel Evans, Conservative
Stephen Hepburn, Labour
Lord Lea of Crondall, Labour

On arrival in Podgorica, the delegation’s first duty was to visit the world-famous “Plantaze” winery. We could not have received a better welcome!

That evening, we received an informal briefing from our Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Kevin Lyne.
Our first meeting the following day was with the Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr Ranko Krivokapic. As with most of our meetings in Montenegro, discussion centred on the newly independent state’s application for membership of the European Union, submitted to the President of the European Council in December. There is overwhelming popular support for the application, including backing from all major political parties.

We covered similar territory, together with Montenegro’s relations with its neighbours, in our discussions with the President and members of the Board for International Relations, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Milan Rocen, and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Mr Dragan Kujovic, who is also President of the Parliament’s British Friendship Group.

The delegation made it clear that the UK firmly supports Montenegro’s aspiration, but was pressed on two issues: ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement by the UK and visa liberalisation.

The Chief, and members, of the Board for National Security explained how war in the region had laid the foundations for organised crime. Despite the fact that Montenegro was not involved in the conflict resulting from the demise of Yugoslavia, it was not immune from some of its consequences.
The Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication informed us about Montenegro’s priority projects, including highway works, the privatisation of the port of Bar and the upgrading of the railways.

Over lunch with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, we again discussed EU membership and Montenego’s desire for a visa waiver scheme.

Our meeting with President Vujanovic covered a wide range of topics including the above. He emphasised that Montenegro was the only ex-Yugoslav republic with no significant inter-ethnic or inter-religious conflict on its territory, that it had not been involved in recent conflicts, but that it provided shelter for substantial numbers of Kosovans. He discussed relations between Kosovo and its neighbours and discussed possible ways forward.

On the second day, we visited Cetinje, Montenergo’s old capital, Kotor and Perast, where we had further discussions with the Deputy Speaker.

On returning to Podgorica we met representatives of NGOs for discussions about their views on the functioning of Parliament, corruption and the police. They shared the view that the EU integration process will contribute significantly to the democratisation of the state.

Our final appointment was a most enjoyable dinner with the Speaker.