Bilčík: EU role must be separated from political competition in any country

Asked about the role of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in the election and post-election period in Montenegro, Bilčík said the religion was an essential part of every society and added "it is important to preserve freedom of religion. At the same time, it is important to have a clear separation between church and state. It is part of political practice throughout the EU, and we consider it a practice that should exist in candidate countries," Bilčík said in an interview with Radio Free Europe (RFE).

He also said "it is important that there is mutual respect for the independence of state institutions by the church, and vice versa. Therefore, political decisions on the future of Montenegro should be made by politicians and political parties and citizens who elected them."

"In no case can the EU can be blamed for the outcome of the elections in any third country, which includes candidate countries, as Montenegro," he said.

"Montenegro was a leader in negotiations with the EU, it has all negotiating chapters open, but only a few temporarily closed, and that is a problem," Bilčík added

"If there is no reform, Montenegro will not get closer to the EU. Everything is in the hands of the new government and all Montenegrin institutions, so it would be good to see that the goals and commitment of the new government in relation to EU membership are clear," he said.

Commenting on the criticism of the EU by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) for not adequately reacting to what it saw as Serbia's and SPC interference in the Montenegrin elections, Bilčík reiterated the election campaign should be free and fair.

"We are still waiting for the final report by the OSCE observation mission, which will assess the election process, including the campaign."

"The enlargement package will also include an assessment of the political situation in Montenegro. We have followed everything that has happened, analysed and expressed concern, but, in the end, political decisions, political campaigns and political changes are in the hands of their players and citizens in Montenegro," Bilčík said.

"Everyone must learn from the tragic events of the 1990s," he said about speculations of the danger of conflict in the region, which Montenegro's President Milo Djukanovic had spoken about recently when he called for the protection of Europe from a potential new war in the Balkans.

Bilčík understood Djukanovic's statement as same to his view in the EU and the EP - regional cooperation between countries and ethnic groups in the Western Balkans.

"Our policy is enlargement with a significant focus on reconciliation, regional cooperation and the ability of regional politicians to find common solutions to conflicts. In that sense, the conflict must be prevented, because that, of course, is not the way to preserve a European perspective," Bilčík warned.