Sokool at EP: Serbia trying to slow Montenegro's European path through political and religious structures

Sokol said Montenegro remains the most advanced candidate country for membership in the European Union, but also continues to face harmful external influences, which he said came mainly from Serbia.

According to him, through political structures, religious institutions and efforts to influence internal processes, Serbia aims to limit the development of Montenegrin sovereignty and hinder the country's progress on the European road.

Croatia's Eurodeput also warned of what it called Serbia's “major approvals” in Montenegro, praising that they damage good neighbourly relations with Croatia.

He stressed the importance of Montenegro continuing to resolve open issues with Croatia, including the fate of war victims, missing persons and property returns.

Sokol underlined that these topics exceed bilateral relations, as they are related to fundamental European values, rule of law and obligations stemming from European Union legislation.

Speaking of domestic reforms, he said it is necessary that power and opposition in Montenegro reach consensus on harmonising laws regulating the security sector with European standards.

The security institutions should not be politicised nor serve the interests of a single political force”, he said.

In the end, Sokol expressed his support for Montenegro's membership in the European Union, stressing that he wants to see the country as a European, democratic and sovereign state that decides for its own future. /Periscopi/