MONTENEGRO, EU EXPRESS MUTUAL DISAPPOINTMENTS

UNCLAS PODGORICA 000027

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO, EU EXPRESS MUTUAL DISAPPOINTMENTS


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY




1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The GoM and the EU's two resident Ambassadors
in Montenegro have expressed to Charge mutual disappointments on
the pace to an Stability and Accession Agreement (SAA). The GoM
faults what they see as a long delay between reaching technical
agreement on the SAA, and bringing it into force. The EU, for
its part, cites the longstanding problem of the GoM being unable
to implement fully its pledges. End summary.




2. (SBU) Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Gordana
Djurovic told Charge on February 5 that the technical
discussions on Montenegro's Stability and Accession Agreement
(SAA) were completed last December 1. She voiced dismay that the
EU has yet to set a date for initialing the agreement. The GoM
still hopes to have the ceremony in its first 100 days, but that
will expire in mid-February. Djurovic expressed concern that the
EU will not be ready until after March, which will cause the
government difficulties in parliament and with its voters, who
expect an independent Montenegro to be able to move faster on
European integration. This is particularly vexing to a
government which campaigned on a platform of being better able
to further the country's integration into Europe. The goal of an
SAA initialing ceremony during the first 100 days will not be
met.




3. (SBU) Djurovic also expressed disappointment that there is
still no EU office in Podgorica, just one representative,
without staff, even as the GoM has an ambassador placed and five
staff in Brussels/EU, and the number of bilateral embassies in
Podgorica grows every week. She faulted the delays on the
unwillingness of the Germans as EU President to confront
expansion issues. Additionally, she was displeased by the EU's
adoption of a "convoy" approach, where all states in a region
are treated alike, preferring the "regatta" system, where each
state competed on its own merits. Djurovic however still
projected that Montenegro would be an EU candidate country in

2009.




4. (SBU) UK Ambassador to Montenegro John Dyson told Charge
February 6 that the EU might be able to initial the SAA with GoM
in mid-April. Dyson added that the GoM needed to work on making
their proclamations and pledges reality.




5. (SBU) On February 7, German Ambassador Thomas Schmidt told
Charge that the current German Presidency of the EU is
considering an SAA initialing ceremony on February 22, with
signing before the end of their EU Presidency. Ratification is,
however, years down the road, with major issues (such as trade)
handled under an interim agreement. Schmidt said the
Montenegrins readily agreed to everything, but added that he is
not comfortable with their performance. He mentioned, for
example, that the GoM had set up an audit office with German
funds, but its lack of independence means it is worthless.



COMMENT




6. (SBU) The views of both sides have validity. The GoM is
beginning to experience the reluctance of the EU to move quickly
on any steps that lead to further expansion. On the other hand,
the EU is correct in citing slow or lax implementation of
reforms by the Montenegrins. Post has frequently observed that
it is relatively simple matter for the GoM to adopt new
legislation, but realization of reforms has often proved
difficult. End comment.

BARNES