Social cohesion as a prerequisite of European integration and European Union sustainability

By Svetlana Kumburović, Civil Servant at the EU Integration Office at the Government of Montenegro and Alumna of Dialogue for the Future Programme

 

The European integration process, as well as the very functioning of the European Union (EU), are the best testimony to the necessity of cohesive actions at all levels in society. European integration is not only the common interest and the foreign policy priority of Montenegro, but also a shared interest of the whole Western Balkan region, with the EU accession seen as crucial for its prosperity and stability. At the same time, the EU itself is supported by coherent policies and shared interests of its Member States, as the basis for its sustained existence and development.

European integration as an agenda propounded by all actors in society

In Montenegrin context, European integration is one of rare political commitments enjoying a wide consensus across the board. Regardless of various societal divisions and polarisations on the political stage, almost all actors in society are strongly supportive of the European path. This is confirmed by the most recent public opinion poll showing that majority of Montenegrin citizens believe in the European Union and the benefits of membership[1].

To succeed, integration needs to be a whole society effort; that is the only approach to building democratic processes and bringing about the overall progress to society. With this in mind, the government, the civil society, the legislature and the judiciary are working relentlessly towards meeting the EU recommendations and aligning the legislation with the EU Acquis, building sufficient democratic capacity in the process to attain the European standards.

“The notion of social cohesion is underpinned by the principles of freedom, equality and solidarity in pursuit of shared values.”

Given that the EU accession is an agenda supported across the society, the Government is committed to make the negotiation process transparent and inclusive, opening room for the dialogue with the civil society, which is largely conducive to having sound policies in place. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that such an approach does not hinge on the good will of any political elite, but is rather a precondition set by the EU, for the very same reasons noted above, for all countries aspiring to accession.

As one of the most complex reform processes in the recent history, the EU integration is driven by the social interest and better living standards, which imposes the need for timely information to and involvement of the public. Inevitably, a high degree of social trust is an assumption of cohesive societies, while its absence fosters divisions which undermine the overall socio-economic development as such. Hence, although quite comprehensive and demanding, the EU integration process seems to have no alternative, since it works towards building a citizen-centred society.

The Western Balkans on the shared mission

The integration of the Western Balkans as a whole is the goal of united Europe, although for this final scenario to take place each of the countries needs to meet very strict criteria. On the other hand, such foreign policy commitment of the countries in the region gives a strong impetus to reforms working towards establishing the rule of law, and thus setting the assumptions for the economic prosperity of the Balkan region.

The EU and its internal policies are subject to continuous changes and evolution, where the European prospects for the Western Balkans are largely dependent on its ability to adapt to such changes. The EU enlargement process is a geopolitical matter, and the Western Balkans is perceived as a single space striving to reduce disparities by building solidarity and well-balanced development. This is stressed by the A credible enlargement perspective for the Western Balkans communication (2018)[2] which, although promoting merit-based approach, confirms the future of the region as the geostrategic investment in stable and strong Europe based on common values.

“Investing in stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans means investing in security and future of the European Union.”

The European counterparts reiterate that investing in stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans means investing in security and future of the Union proper. Regional policy is the mainstay of the Union investment policy, conducive to job generation, better living conditions for citizens and economic development of both the Member States and the EU at large. It is also an expression of solidarity, given that support goes to underdeveloped regions towards building the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union.

Cohesion as an assumption for sustainability of the Union

EU is recognised as the most successful form of association of countries and as such, it is a unique creation of the modern world. During its development, the EU has primarily been focused on promoting economic and social cohesion within Member States, followed by the support to non-member countries.

Building Europe with a greater degree of social inclusion is regarded as vital in pursuing the EU goals, as confirmed at the Lisbon summit of the European Council[3] when social cohesion was set as one of the three key strategic priorities. Fostering its members to pursue policies that will help them individually, but also the Union at large become more cohesive communities focused on assuaging mutual disparities is the motto of the community of European nations. In pursuit of this intention, all European-level, but also national institutions need to be ready to foster shared values, mutual cooperation among society members, and thus foster economic development.

“Institutions need to be ready to foster shared values, mutual cooperation among society members, and thus foster economic development.”

Societal values of the European policy are reflected in the primary documents of the EU. Thus, according to the Treaty of Nice (2002)[4] the Union, inter alia, aims to promote economic and social progress which is balanced and sustainable, in particular through the creation of an area without internal frontiers, through strengthening of economic and social cohesion and through the establishment of economic and monetary union. In addition, the aim is to implement common foreign and security policy, to strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of all citizens, and strengthen the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice, by improving the standard of living and quality of life. The Lisbon Treaty (ratified in 2009)[5] sets Union’s social goals which include full employment and social progress, combating discrimination, promoting justice and eradication of poverty, proclaiming the promotion of social unity towards reducing regional disparities within the EU.

The above cohesion policy examples indicate that:

“The EU integration process is possible only by seeing the common interests and ensuring active participation of all societal actors at the national and regional levels. Equally, without the principles of togetherness, the EU proper would lose its raison d’etre. “

Importantly, social cohesion emerges as a result of policies aimed at developing social awareness and participation, which implies strong institutions focused on reaching this objective.

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Svetlana Kumburović graduated Faculty of Law at the University of Montenegro, passed the bar exam and then continued professional development in the area of EU integration process. After spending a few years in the NGO and media sectors, she was hired by the UNDP as a consultant for the EU Integration Office. Upon completing a three-year project, she became a civil servant in the EU Integration Office with the role of an Independent Advisor in the Department for the EU Political Affairs. She is convinced that Montenegro’s commitment to the EU membership has no alternative and hopes that from the position of the civil servant she will contribute to its overall democratic progress.

 

Sources:

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[1] The opinion poll, done for the needs for the EU Delegation to Montenegro by DeFacto in late 2020, showed that 77.6% of Montenegrin citizens have positive views about the EU (compared to 66.1% in December 2019), with the share of those with negative views going down, and standing at 17.7% in December 2020 (while it stood at 24.3% in December 2019). Moreover, 74.8% are supportive of Montenegro’s accession to the EU, while 22.3% are against such accession, which shows strong move towards increased support compared to December 2019, when the accession was supported by 66% of the population, and 23% opposed it. The survey also showed that if a referendum were to be called now, as much as 85.7% of those who would cast the ballot would support Montenegro’s accession to the EU.

[2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/communication-credible-enlargement-perspective-western-balkans_en.pdf

[3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ec/00100-r1.en0.htm

[4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/HR/TXT/?uri=CELEX:12002M/TXT

[5]http://www.proyectos.cchs.csic.es/euroconstitution/library/Lisbon%20Treaty/Treaty%20of%20Lisbon_Final%20Act%2012.2007.pdf

 

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the individual involved and do not reflect official policy or position of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro and its Diplomatic Academy.