Lajcak: EU Wants Montenegro to Have a Pro-european Government

Miroslav Lajcak(BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/DS)

The European Union (EU) wants Montenegro to have a pro-European government strong enough to make and carry out decisions that will bring the country into the Union faster, the Union's special envoy for the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak, said on Nov. 26.

"The EU is not commenting on who should be in the Montenegrin cabinet, nor do we have any intention of interfering. Montenegro possess enough democratic legitimacy and potential to handle its own issues, which it has proven repeatedly. The EU wants Montenegro to have a pro-European government, and a government strong enough to make decisions based on parliamentary support, and carry out those that bring the country closer to the Union faster," Lajcak said in an interview with Montenegrin national TV (RTCG), when asked to comment on frequent reports that a minority government could be an option.

Speculation is rife that the country could get a minority government. Lajcak said he was concerned, because over the past 12 months Montenegro had been absorbed in its own internal affairs, including language and religious and ethnic affiliations, instead of working harder on accession to the EU. "That's why I have come to talk with your politicians, encourage your European path, as it's the position of a leader that you must not lose," Lajcak said.