The Break Up of a Loose Union: What is Going On With Human Rights and European Integrations Processes in Serbia and Montenegro After Their Divorce?
The Break Up of a Loose Union: What is Going On With Human Rights and European Integrations Processes in Serbia and Montenegro After Their Divorce?

Summary/Abstract: The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro fell apart after the Montenegrin referendum in May 2006. Montenegro straightaway proclaimed its orientation to the European Union and continued negotiations with the European Union on its own. At the same time, the European Union remains strict with its stance not to continue the negotiation process with Serbia, discontinued in May this year, unless war crimes culprits are apprehended and transferred to The Hague. Various non-governmental organizations in both countries are acting as watchdogs and critiques in order to force their respective governments to comply by the rules of acquis communautaire as promptly and efficiently as possible, but with no much of a success. The main problem is phasing out of the foreign money (i.e. international donors) and unwillingness of both states to admit the need for consultancy with non-state parties. Although Montegro’s political authorities are officially devoted to European integration process a lot many issues such as corruption and ethnic division between Montenegrins and Serbs need to be addressed and solved. Serbia is burdened with corruption as well, however nationalism, Serbian myths on Kosovo still seem to be of greater importance to Koštunica’s government than European integrations and consolidation of Serbia’s weak democracy.

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