The member of Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG) and former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of European Integration of Montenegro, Jovana Marovic does not know yet, which were the reasons why she was banned from entering Serbia although some time has passed since the incident happened, according to what Ms. Marovic told Albanian Daily News in an exclusive interview.  

BiEPAG’s member Marovic was denied entry to Serbia on August 23, 2023 which she announced herself in a post on X, saying that she was denied entry “for the sake of protection of the security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens”.

In his reaction on the incident the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, stated that the ban on entry into Serbia of the former Deputy PM of the Montenegrin Government, Jovana Marovic, is contrary to the development of good neighborly relations, and expressed his belief that she is not a threat to security of Serbia.

“My commitment to strengthening democracy in the Western Balkans is by no means dependent on this ban,” Marovic said in ADN’s interview.

Regarding the failure of the EU mediated talks between Kosovo PM Albin Kurti and Serb President Aleksandar Vucic, the former top diplomat found itdifficult to predict in which direction and with what dynamics the dialogue would continue. However she was of the opinion that it must be insisted on the implementation of the Agreement and finding a solution that will be acceptable to both sides.  “Any scenario that would lead to further tensions would be harmful for both Kosovo and Serbia and the entire region.” 

Asked about the lack of common approach on setting a timeline on WB enlargement within the EU, Marovic said the public disagreements of senior EU officials tell us that the EU has no clear vision for the Western Balkans. “The approach announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, a few months ago, leads us to a staged accession, which then calls into question whether membership is even an option anymore, and it is questionable how much such an approach will lead to the strengthening of democracy,” she said. 

Albanian Daily News: In the first place, thank you for this interview and please let me start with an incident not too long ago when you were denied entry to Serbia ‘for the sake of protection of the security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens’ as it was said by official Belgrade. Such an act was broadly condemned by politicians and civil society in your country. Now after some time has passed, what could you tell ADN’s readers about this event?  

BiEPAG member, ex-Deputy PM of Montenegro Jovana Marovic:  The article of the law according to which someone can be banned from entering the country for reasons of protecting the security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens is deliberately worded in such a way that it leaves no room or need for the decision to be justified and it can be selective and unfounded in a real threat.   

The reasons why I was banned from entering Serbia are unclear to me, but there is no need to look further for the background of the story. My commitment to strengthening democracy in the Western Balkans is by no means dependent on this ban.

-Ms. Marovic the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia failed to reach an agreement for improving bilateral relations during EU-mediated talks in Brussels on September 14. According to you, what will happen after this failure of the talks?

- It is difficult to predict in which direction and with what dynamics the dialogue will continue, but one must insist on the implementation of the Agreement and finding a solution that will be acceptable to both sides, because any scenario that would lead to further tensions would be harmful for both Kosovo and Serbia and the entire region.

- In the meantime there seems to be confusion in EU approach toward Western Balkans regarding enlargement which has become more obvious after the European Commission immediately refuted European Council President Charles Michel’s recent call for the EU to be ready for the next ‘big’ enlargement by 2030. As a shrewd follower of the WB enlargement process and EU affairs, which is your opinion on this ‘hectic’ situation?    

- The President of the European Council’s message that 2030 should be taken as the year when the Union must be ready for new members is an attempt to define a timeline in the enlargement process as the current approach is not producing results. However, since the European Commission immediately reacted the next day, such an announcement wasn’t the result of consultations on how to speed up and move the enlargement process from a standstill.

The public disagreements of senior EU officials tell us that the EU has no clear vision for the Western Balkans. The approach announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, a few months ago, leads us to a staged accession, which then calls into question whether membership is even an option anymore, and it is questionable how much such an approach will lead to the strengthening of democracy.    

- As it is announced the Summit of the Berlin process will be held in Tirana on October 16, 2023. Looking back at the 10-year performance of this initiative do you think it has delivered and what is expected to happen after its annual summit?

- Regional cooperation is important when it comes to integration in certain areas before EU membership, and the Berlin process as such was launched at the right time and brought certain benefits to the citizens of the Western Balkans. However, the results are limited, integration is slow, and cooperation in these areas has not brought about a spillover effect on democracy.   

At the annual summit in Tirana, the recommendations of civil society will be presented, and probably additional activities will be agreed within the framework of regional integration.

 - As a follow up, will Montenegro be represented in the Summit by a new government a question which is closely related to the progress of the endeavor of the leader of the “Europe Now” party, Milojko Spajic designated by President Milatovi? as the prospective Prime Minister?

- Negotiations on the new government in Montenegro are slow and it is uncertain whether the government will be formed at all before the summit. All this further complicates the implementation of reforms and the acceleration of the European path, so the political crisis, which has been going on for too long, only deepens, and the situation in the country becomes more complicated.

-In conclusion, Ms. Marovic, what are your expectations for this year’s 78th Session of UNGA session?  - In times of crisis, the protection of universal values becomes even more important. Solidarity remains the key word.

The Western Balkans leaders must deliver more credibly on their commitment to implement the fundamental reforms and in the protection of human rights.