VZCZCXRO1593
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHPOD #0027 0390959
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080959Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0056
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0018
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 0060 UNCLAS PODGORICA 000027 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:        
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