Plenković Warns Montenegro: No Border Agreement, No EU Membership

Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has warned that Montenegro will not be able to conclude its EU accession negotiations unless it accepts the principles of the Badinter Arbitration Commission on the land border between the two countries. He said rejecting Croatia's proposed border agreement would pose a serious obstacle to Podgorica's European ambitions.

Plenković made the remarks during a session of the Croatian Parliament, responding to a question from ruling HDZ MP Andro Krstulović Opara about unresolved issues between Croatia and Montenegro, particularly the border dispute and the position of Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović.

Plenković: That Would Be a Serious Problem

The Croatian prime minister said Montenegro had received a proposed land border agreement based on the principles of the Badinter Commission. Under these principles, the former internal borders between Yugoslav republics became international borders following the breakup of Yugoslavia.

"If they find this unacceptable, they are effectively sending a message that they cannot accept the principles of the Badinter Commission and do not believe that the former republican borders should have become the borders of the states that emerged from the former Yugoslavia. That would be a serious problem," Plenković said.

He added that, under such circumstances, Montenegro would not be able to conclude its EU accession negotiations according to its planned timetable.

"Let me be absolutely clear about that," he stressed.

Unresolved Issues and President Milatović's Position

During the parliamentary session, Krstulović Opara argued that statements by Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović were doing little to help resolve outstanding issues between the two countries.

He specifically referred to Milatović's opposition to the memorial plaque in Morinj, which the Montenegrin president considers unlawful, as well as his position that Montenegro should not accept a border agreement with Croatia because doing so could put the country in a disadvantageous negotiating position.

Krstulović Opara also asked whether Montenegro's refusal to sign the agreement could be interpreted as a sign that it was unwilling to abandon territorial claims against Croatia.

Croatia Insists on Resolving Bilateral Disputes

Croatia has repeatedly stressed that resolving outstanding bilateral issues is an important condition for its support of Montenegro's EU membership.

Montenegro has already taken certain steps concerning disputed issues, including renaming a swimming pool in Kotor and subsequently approving the installation of a memorial plaque at the site of the former Morinj prison camp.

However, the land border dispute remains unresolved. Zagreb maintains that Montenegro's European integration cannot be separated from respect for internationally recognised border principles and the resolution of outstanding issues with neighbouring countries.