Montenegro

Associate professor at the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Sarajevo

12 Apr 2023 5 2

Jakov Milatovic

Inserted 1 year ago

“Tonight is the night we have been waiting for over 30 years. Within the next five years, we will lead Montenegro into the European Union.”

President of Montenegro

02 Apr 2023 1 3

Dritan Abazović

Inserted 2 years ago

“A new government should be formed as soon as possible, and the new Prime Minister-designate could be anyone with support of at least 41 MPs [in the 81-seat chamber]. If the negotiations fail, we will go on to early elections.”

Montenegro Deputy Prime Minister and Black on White leader

04 Feb 2022 1 2

Milan Knezevic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Instead of cooperation with the Democratic Front, they were lobbying … in Western ambassies against us. If Djukanovic's DPS supports a new government, it will be a betrayal of our electoral win and it will provoke serious instability.”

Leader of the Democratic Front one of the strongest forces in the coalition that won parliamentary elections

04 Feb 2022 3 2

Ines Mrdovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“It's hard to expect that opposition initiative will pass, even if we have a political blockage due to disagreements between the ruling leaders. No one from the ruling majority could take on the burden of overthrowing the government.”

Member of the NGO Action for Social Justice

30 Nov 2021 2 2

Sergej Sekulovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“There is an increased number of investigations in cases of money-laundering and more such cases are before the courts in Montenegro. Also, the ministry is working on a new Law on Prevention of Money-Laundering and Terrorist Financing.”

Montenegro Interior Minister

23 Nov 2021 1 3

Yngve Engstrom

Inserted 2 years ago

“Montenegro should make sure that its financial system does not allow the circulation of dirty money and thus cause an increase in the number of committed crimes. This should be done by reviewing the legal and operational approach to financial investigations, by establishing integration between all bodies involved.”

Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro

23 Nov 2021 3 2

Zdravko Krivokapic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Unfortunately, there were poison-arrow messages coming through the media, which no one needs. We need to forget what happened and look for areas that connect us. Let's not touch on the disputed points at this moment and focus on the economy.”

Montenegro Prime Minister

03 Nov 2021 2 2

Ivana Vujovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“This would cause great tensions and lead to pre-census campaigns and would negatively affect the quality of all the other data. Also, international standards say that population censuses should be avoided in turbulent socio-political periods. Due to the extremely unstable socio-political situation in the country and the lack of trust in [state] institutions, the census should be organised at the earliest in October 2022.”

Executive director of the NGO Juventas

05 Oct 2021 3 4

Ursula von der Leyen

Inserted 2 years ago

“We want progress to continue. We owe it to your people who dream of a European future. Political dialogue is necessary for Montenegro to advance the rule of law. You have done a lot and there is a lot of effort behind it, so it is important that there is no setback when we talk about success. That is why it is important for society to find consensus and for Montenegro to be preserved as a multi-ethnic state as we know it. A large number of citizens expect progress and that is why we must see results and compromise.”

President of the European Commission

29 Sep 2021 2 2

Aleksa Bečić

Inserted 2 years ago

“[Ursula von der Leyen] Welcome to Montenegro, welcome to the smallest but most beautiful Balkan country. Welcome to the next member of the European Union. I am sure that you will help us on that path!”

President of the Parliament of Montenegro

29 Sep 2021 4 3

Milo Djukanovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“As you can see, that is not possible. You know that the three partners in the new alliance of the ruling majority signed an agreement the day after the end of the parliamentary elections, committing themselves to follow the strategic course of the country's movement. But, with that formality, of course, it was necessary to show during the previous year the real determination to continue by adopting the European value system and creating the assumption that Montenegro soon will actually be an organic part of modern European civilization. Therefore, it is a responsible part of Euro-Atlantic integration. Not even a half step has been taken. The half-step that is now expected is for the new government to meet the preconditions in Chapters 23 and 24 concerning the rule of law, for the European Union to declare that we have met the provisional criteria given to us and to start the process of closing open chapters. . To date, this has not happened. Therefore, there is not even a minimal shift.”

President of Montenegro

24 Sep 2021 5 3

Predrag Sekulic

Inserted 2 years ago

“This initiative is part of the evidence that the government is under the strong influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church and also undermining the civic character of Montenegrin state.”

Montenegro Politician - Democratic Party of Socialists MP

22 Sep 2021 2 4

Dragan Ivanovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Djukanovic [Milo Djukanovic] supported the protests against the main religious community in the country, even he has to be president of all Montenegrin citizens.”

MP from For the Future of Montenegro (part of the ruling coaltion)

22 Sep 2021 4 2

Judy Rising Reinke

Inserted 2 years ago

“We question the utility of a national census that collects data relating to ethnic identity at this time - certain political forces are cynically championing this undertaking, hoping it will further drive a wedge between those who identify as Montenegrin and those who identify as Serb. How does this help the country move forward?”

US ambassador to Montenegro

17 Sep 2021 5 4

Stefan Holthof-Fertner

Inserted 2 years ago

“The path you [Montenegro] have taken is arduous and long, but it is impressive that you are following it. Without the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union, the EU is not complete either.”

Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the Federal Province of North Rhine-Westphalia

15 Sep 2021 4 3

Zdravko Krivokapic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Given that for the first time in the history of Montenegro, one government was replaced by democratic, electoral means, we can say that, in the political sense, Montenegro has been liberated. But we are aware that we are in a democratic transition and that democracy and pluralism still need truly to live in all segments, heads and pores of our society. Montenegro must demonstrate justice, democracy and tolerance. Predecessors spoke of 'coexistence', our goal is a step further - the permeation of diversity through a true process of inclusion. My wish and my decision were for the Government to be a Government of experts, a Government of civic orientation. That was the historical need of all citizens of Montenegro.”

Montenegro Prime Minister

15 Sep 2021 3 2

Andrija Nikolic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Today's performance with Serbian tricolors in Montenegrin towns confirms that the 'Serbian world' is an ideology supported by two-thirds of the Montenegrin authorities.”

Montenegro Politician - MP from the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists

15 Sep 2021 4 4

Government of Montenegro

Inserted 2 years ago

“On that occasion, Chancellor Merkel especially pointed out that Montenegro is the most advanced country - a candidate for membership in the European Union, emphasizing the importance of the idea of a common regional economic market, which, according to her, can benefit all Western Balkan countries. At the working lunch, the need to continue working within the Berlin Process in the coming years, as one of the most important diplomatic initiatives since 2014, whose goal is the enlargement of the European Union, was additionally emphasized.”

Statement by the Government of Montenegro

14 Sep 2021 6 7

Dritan Abazović

Inserted 2 years ago

“I have told the Prime Minister and my colleagues in the government several times they are crossing a red line. It's possible we will not have a new Interior Minister - but then we will have a new Prime Minister. I will overthrow the government. I will stop giving support to the government if I think they are doing something that is unfair.”

Montenegro Deputy Prime Minister

09 Sep 2021 0 1

Zdravko Krivokapic

Inserted 2 years ago

“In the command chain, we will investigate every act by each individual who provided or did not provide support. That will be done in the next seven days and the public will be informed. No one will be spared, no matter what position they have or which political party is protecting him.”

Montenegro Prime Minister

06 Sep 2021 0 3

Stevo Muk

Inserted 2 years ago

“In Cetinje, the DPS [Democratic Party of Socialists] organised a projected threat to the security of citizens in order to advance its personal and political interests. Djukanovic [Milo Djukanovic] has obviously become a factor of instability and that is clearly seen in the international community.”

NGO Institute Alternativa

06 Sep 2021 5 2

Marta Scepanovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“The [Serbian] Church is not a state body but one of the religious communities that are separated from the state according to the constitution. That is why the protest of citizens against the enthronement was not a coup d'etat but a constitutional right to assembly.”

DPS (Democratic Party of Socialists) Member of the Parliament of Montenegro

05 Sep 2021 3 5

Zdravko Krivokapic

Inserted 2 years ago

“It is completely clear that the perpetrators and organisers [of the protests] are the highest leadership of the [opposition] Democratic Party of Socialists in cooperation with organised criminal groups. The state will stop them.”

Montenegro Prime Minister

05 Sep 2021 3 2

Saska Brajovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“I am here to show my love for the country. We are not asking for anything from anyone else, but we are dismissed by the occupying Serbian Church. We are here defending our dignity.”

Protester in the city of Cetinje

04 Sep 2021 1 3

Milica Marinovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“They [protesters] don't plan on leaving … [On the blocked road] leading to Podgorica, protesters asked the women to stand as a human wall in front of the barricades of tyres for as long as possible.”

Al Jazeera’s journalist

04 Sep 2021 2 2

Peter Lundberg

Inserted 2 years ago

“We call on everyone, especially those in positions of authority and influence, to make a direct contribution to calming tensions and building trust by their example.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Montenegro

03 Sep 2021 0 3

Ana Pisonero

Inserted 2 years ago

“Now is the time for all decision-makers in Montenegro to prove their commitment to the EU path and EU values, promoting peace and tolerance and working together constructively, despite all political differences, for the benefit of citizens and the country's European future.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

European Commission’s Spokesperson

03 Sep 2021 3 7

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel

Inserted 2 years ago

“The former corrupted elite that captured the state, along with its 'formal adversaries' in Serbia, are trying to destabilize the situation in Montenegro by exploiting the tensions around the Serbian Orthodox Church's ceremony in Cetinje. It is thus of vital importance to resist these both foreign and domestic tension-creators that are trying to antagonize Montenegrin society and prevent long-awaited democratic and rule-of-law reforms.”

Member of European Parliament and Standing Rapporteur of the European Parliament for Kosovo

02 Sep 2021 3 3

Dritan Abazović

Inserted 2 years ago

“What a feat of Montenegrin police. We are doing what we have pledged: Montenegro will not be a country of crime.”

Rferl

Montenegro Deputy Prime Minister

27 Aug 2021 1 2

Zorka Kordić

Inserted 2 years ago

“Since Montenegro is the most advanced country in the region when it comes to EU integration process, the Government supports the implementation of regional initiatives exclusively as an instrument of a faster EU accession. Therefore, we primarily focus on the implementation of the Action Plan for the Common Regional Market under the auspices of the Berlin Process, as a political initiative that includes all Western Balkan countries. [Action Plan for the Common Regional Market] It is complementary to our aspiration for EU membership and provides a framework for the use of funds from the economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans worth nine billion euros. I also believe that early integration measures in the context of the revised methodology of EU accession can be better achieved through a common regional market, which is a more comprehensive initiative than Open Balkan.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

Montenegro EU Chief Negotiator

16 Aug 2021 5 4

Patrick Moore

Inserted 2 years ago

“If someone wants to return Karadjordjevic property, he is probably making the statement that Montenegrins are Serbs and their place is with Serbia. This is clearly a slap at the ideology of Djukanovic [Milo Djukanovic] and others who favor Montenegrin independence and separate identity. Monarchy is a dead issue in the postcommunist Balkans, of symbolic value at best. These royal families probably mean little or nothing to most Montenegrins, except as historical curiosities.”

Rferl

RFE/RL's chief Balkan political analyst from 1977-2008

22 Jul 2021 4 3

Ljubomir Filipovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“The Democratic Front alone cannot win a majority in Montenegro, but [Marko Carevic] might be their front-runner in the next parliamentary elections and maybe the presidential election. He has a strong presence, not just locally, but nationally in Montenegro. He is building up his, let's say, Serbian world portfolio.”

Rferl

Local commentator, activist, and former acting mayor of Budva in Montenegro

22 Jul 2021 3 1

Predrag Boskovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Unfortunately, [Serbia's] neighbours felt the consequences of these kinds of politics in the most brutal way – through huge human casualties, material destruction and with an economy lagging behind modern civilisation.”

Member of parliament in Montenegro

19 Jul 2021 1 2

Zdravko Krivokapic

Inserted 2 years ago

“At the moment, since the revenues from tourism are the most important for the budget of our country, the Government is clearly determined that it is necessary to maintain the high growing trend of vaccinated citizens of Montenegro, in order to continue to be a community that is safe for guests and to stably face the next challenges. We are grateful to the United States for its continuous support and assistance to our healthcare system.”

Montenegro Prime Minister

08 Jul 2021 2 3

Slaven Radunovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“I call on all those who received the votes of the citizens to get rid of the Democratic Party of Socialists to gather as soon as possible and make a decision on what to do next. Until then, we will not enter the parliament. We are now resetting the situation to zero and looking for a new deal.”

Montenegro Politician - Democratic Front MP

17 Jun 2021 1 2

Dritan Abazović

Inserted 2 years ago

“Russian authorities should consider putting Montenegro on the so-called green list of countries without travel restrictions. Montenegro is a tourist country with good relations with the Russian market so Russia should be sensitive on the issue of travel restrictions. Numbers of COVID-19 active cases in our country are decreasing, while there are a lot of Russians who often come to Montenegro.”

Montenegro Deputy Prime Minister

15 Jun 2021 1 3

Council of Europe

Inserted 2 years ago

“This has contributed to the Committee's view that divides between communities may be deepening and becoming more marked. Incidents of religious discord between different Orthodox [church] communities have also been noted. Hate speech is criminalized, but there is little monitoring of social media by the authorities because no agency has the mandate to do so. There is a lack of clarity surrounding the display of symbols of other states, with a law in force which prohibits such a display, which should be dealt with in forthcoming legislation. Authorities must remain vigilant to prevent divisions within Montenegrin society along ethnic and religious lines and encourage a spirit of tolerance.”

Report of the Council of Europe

07 Jun 2021 2 3

Goran Kapor

Inserted 2 years ago

“As they are temporary financed, ministries have to spend less, so for almost six months, public institutions have had to operate with significantly reduced costs. Due to the lack of a budget, the Interior Ministry can't pay for police cars, while the Ministry of Agriculture cannot help farmers and cattle breeders. This political crisis has to be end as it is already causing serious problems for the public administration and the country's economy.”

Journalist for Montenegrin daily newspaper Vijesti

03 Jun 2021 0 3

Sergej Sekulovic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Because parliament didn't adopt the Montenegrin state budget, the police are already left without 130 cars which were leased in 2018. In this situation, maintaining regular police activities is really difficult.”