July 11, 2019 - Roma integration in the Western Balkan countries was one of the topics of the Summit of the Western Balkan countries, which took place from July 3 to 5 in Poznan, the NGO Young Roma reported.

During the Summit, the prime ministers of the Western Balkans countries adopted a Declaration of Partners from the Western Balkans on the integration of Roma within the process of enlargement of the European Union. By adopting the Declaration, states have committed themselves to continue and improve efforts to achieve equality and full integration of Roma within the framework of regional cooperation and the process of accession to the European Union.

The declaration envisages the achievement of specifically defined goals in the areas of employment, education, housing, health care, documentation and the fight against discrimination. It also envisages the adoption of regional public budgeting standards related to the integration of Roma, and the establishment of official channels and mechanisms for the joint involvement of local governments and Roma communities in policy formulation, as well as adequate mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of policies related to the integration of Roma.

The adoption of the Declaration was preceded by the panel "Declaration of the Western Balkan Partnership on Roma and the EU Enlargement: from word to deed". Samir Jaha, the executive director of NGO "Young Roma" spoke at the panel as the representative of the Roma civil sector in the Western Balkans.

Jaha believes that, from the point of view of the Roma community, the Declaration can be perceived differently. Individuals from the community could consider the Declaration as yet another official document that will not be applied, while those who are more active in the community and want to take responsibility for changes in the society could be more optimistic and observe the Declaration as one kind of "Roma Constitution" that should be respected and whose consistent application should be constantly recalled.

Jaha said that the adoption of the Declaration is an incentive for continuing work and joint efforts in the process of Roma integration. He had also pointed out that the Declaration must be seriously accepted by all involved actors - the European Commission as part of the enlargement process and national and local authorities in the Western Balkans - it was announced from NGO "Young Roma".

09 July 2019 - Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović participated in an informal meeting of OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) foreign ministers, which took place in the High Tatras, Slovakia, reports the PR office of the Ministry.

The participants exchanged views on the modalities for improving the dialogue and cooperation among the participating countries, as well as restoring confidence and security in the OSCE region. The focus of the discussion was placed on the relevance of the OSCE and the role the Organisation is playing today in light of the current security challenges. The discussion emphasised importance of respecting the key principles on which the international order is based, as well as the importance of the Organisation in their preservation and promotion, pointing to the potential of the OSCE as a unique platform for dialogue and its specificity in terms of having comprehensive mechanisms for effective and rapid action in the prevention, management and resolution of crisis situations.

MFA ministers agreed that it is necessary to demonstrate political will, through effective multilateralism and constructive dialogue, but that declarative readiness for dialogue must be accompanied by implementation in practice. They underlined the need to respect the principles on which the Organisation is based, such as dialogue, compromise, peaceful resolution of conflicts, accountability, and cooperation.

The Montenegrin Foreign Minister stressed that the comprehensive OSCE concept of security is a key segment of the region's common security and that the Organisation has proved itself as a reliable partner and a single forum for open dialogue. In that context, he pledged full support to the current process of the Structural Dialogue on existing and future challenges that is being conducted within the OSCE. He emphasised the importance of respecting the principles and values ​​of the international rule-based order as important preconditions for restoring confidence and security in the OSCE region.

For Montenegro, the OSCE is a strategic partner, to whose principles the country remains committed through supporting its work, missions and respect for integrity, the unique and irreplaceable role of this Organisation, Minister Darmanović concluded.

In a meeting with Minister of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák, Montenegrin Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for the continued support of Slovakia in the process of European integration. At the meeting with the Finnish head of diplomacy Pekka Haavisto, Minister Darmanović stressed the importance of continuing the enlargement policy, and expressed the expectation that Finland would support this policy during the current EU Council presidency.

Read more about Politics in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

07 July 2019 - "The Western Balkans Summit in Poznan confirmed a clear European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. That message was conveyed by both the EU and the member states of the Union," Prime Minister Duško Marković told the press at the end of the Summit.

"There is no doubt that the enlargement policy is one of the best EU policies and it contributes to the stability of progress and development. It would be impossible to leave 18 million Western Balkan citizens out of the European space. There is no logic or justification for that. Today, it has been clearly stated that the vision of enlargement to the Western Balkans is alive and that in the Western Balkans we should continue to work to fulfill our obligations," Prime Minister Marković stressed.

The Cabinet of the Prime Minister reported that Marković also added that the sixth Summit of the Western Balkans confirmed the vision of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel as an extension to the enlargement policy. PM Marković said that the Berlin Process contributed to the new values ​​of the Western Balkans as a whole and each country individually.

"We in particular focused on the implementation of the connection agenda, as the infrastructure connectivity is the key to the overall development of the Balkans, especially each country individually. We expressed satisfaction with the degree of infrastructure projects implementation and the approved funds. Montenegro has withdrawn more than EUR 170 million and we are set to continue this way in the future," Prime Minister Marković underlined.

For Montenegro, he added, this Summit is particularly important. The Memorandum on the creation of preconditions for the construction of the International Institute for Sustainable Technologies in South East Europe was signed. Montenegro is the initiator of this project. CERN, European Commission and the Science Commissioner pledged support to this project. The serious efforts of the Government, primarily of the Ministry of Science, have yield results today, and this testifies to the fact that the Western Balkans steadily progress towards the EU.

When asked by journalists whether he talked with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić about the Draft Law on Freedom of Religion, Prime Minister Marković said that he opened the issue with his Serbian counterpart.

"Prime Minister Brnabić asked me what it is about. I said that this is about drafting the law as a programme and constitutional obligation of the Government, based on the standards and principles of not only national legislation but also the Council of Europe," said PM Marković, stressing that the issue of religious communities in Montenegro is currently regulated by the Law of 1977.

"There is no reason for confrontation between the two countries on this issue. We agreed that we should discuss these and other issues directly at the institutional level, and that we will not raise tensions between the two states because we do not need them, " the Prime Minister pointed out.

The Prime Minister assessed the brief conversation with his Serbian counterpart Brnabić as beneficial, hopeful that in the coming days, the conditions will be created for discussing these issues as two neighbouring and friendly countries.

Read more about politics in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

Vladimir Jokić (Democrats of Montenegro) was replaced from the position of the President of the Kotor Municipality today by the votes of parliamentary majority (17 councilors) made by members of the DPS, SD, HGI, LP and former SDP member Bruna Lončarević at the Bizanti Palace.  

After years of silence, the government of Montenegro gave an announcement today, full of untruths, as it said not because of me, but because of the citizens of Kotor and Montenegro, announced Vladimir Jokić. He reacted to the statement by the Government of Montenegro, which stated, among other things, that Jokić ignored Prime Minister Duško Marković for two years.

There is no excuse for violating the law, and the Government of Montenegro brutally violated it. Neither the Prime Minister's vanity, nor his piquet, nor the insurmountable political differences. Nothing can be an excuse for a violation of the law, unless we are in Frankish Spain where there was a motto that friends can do everything, and that there are laws are for the enemies.

He added that there is no reason to justify the fact that the Government interpreted one point of the Law one way on 30 May and 28 days later the other in favor of their local burglars.

"In fact, there would be no single excuse if it was not a government whose party interest is above general interest, above the interests of the citizens and beyond the state's interest. If I had known that the method to get an answer from the Government and the Prime Minister would be writing open letters, I would have sent each letter by the media…

Now that we have found the way to communicate, I remind you that we have appealed to the Constitutional Court because of the way the DUP Kostanjica has been adopted and, if the state does not engage, we will lose the status of UNESCO - for the sake of the interest of offshore companies. I have also written to you about that several times, as you can see in the archives ", said Jokić.

“Kotor has a history that is measured for millennia, it celebrates the Day of the Municipality on November 21, and whoever wants to take part in this celebration is welcome. Going to Podgorica to receive greetings for the Kotor Municipality Day would be degradation of the city's history at the expense of the Government, which I would never allow myself. There is no function, niether political combination, nor the sort of solution that is worth the dignity of the city. If you had respected the dignity of the same town, the prime minister would announce to the host at least twice when visiting Kotor municipality. This is a question of manners in the end. How many times the state protocol ignored local government, I will not even waste words, " Vladimir Jokić stressed.

Finally, he urged Prime Minister Duško Marković to look at the correspondence he had sent him once again.

Source: "Vijesti"

29 June 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović recently received Skender Durmishi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Montenegro in his farewell visit.

President of Montenegro thanked Ambassador Durmishi for excellent cooperation during his diplomatic mandate and contribution to the improvement of relations between the two countries.

"The coming into force of the agreement on borders, the opening of the Montenegrin Development Center in Kosovo, and the appointment of an honorary consul, are the processes that have strengthened confidence and improved cooperation," said Đukanović.

The Office of the President of Montenegro reported that Đukanović also added that Montenegro closely monitors the events in Kosovo, with the positions of friendly relations of the neighbors, but also with the desire that the problems that exist in the region get as soon as possible the epilogue in the interest of all. In this regard, the President expressed support for the renewal of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina as soon as possible, in order to show responsibility to the region and its European perspective. Đukanović stressed that Montenegro is trying to be a constructive partner, aware of delicacy and its relevance to the stability of the region as a whole.

"With the same understanding, Montenegro will continue to support the stability and prosperity of Kosovo and its further European integration," said Đukanović.

The President also conveyed to Ambassador Durmishi the gratitude of Montenegro for the attention of Kosovo towards the Montenegrin national community and the progress in creating the conditions for its gathering and constructive action.

Ambassador Durmishi thanked President Đukanović for his reception, stressing that he was privileged and honored to be the first Ambassador of Kosovo to Montenegro, where, he said, he encountered an exceptional reception and cooperation of Montenegrin institutions. Durmishi stressed that he was looking forward to the successes of Montenegro and that he has high remarks for Montenegro’s contribution to regional progress.

The interlocutors agreed that so far results in cooperation are a good basis for further deepening of relations primarily in the field of economy, infrastructure, and culture.

Read more news about politics in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

29 June 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović received the Vice-President of the Republic of Bulgaria Iliana Iotova, who is visiting Montenegro.

The President expressed satisfaction with the visit of the Vice-President, and with the opportunity to meet with her, emphasizing the importance of a continuous dialogue on the quality of interstate cooperation, which Montenegro and Bulgaria consistently confirm in practice.

Relations between Montenegro and Bulgaria are traditionally good, Đukanović said, especially in the context of supporting our integration aspirations. He recalled the stable opportunities and strategic goals of our country, achieved membership in NATO and the leadership position in the process of EU accession. To that end, the adoption of a European value system and a higher quality of life leads us, said the President, a commitment to comprehensive reforms.

The President also referred to the current situation in the region and on the importance of resolving the remaining open issues, as reported the Office of the President of Montenegro. He pointed out the importance of the region's integration, for its stability, stressing that there is no stability of the Balkans without its Europeanization, neither stability nor competitiveness of Europe without a stable Balkans.

The Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria thanked the President for his reception, with high marks for the quality of relations between the two countries. She expressed full support for Montenegro's integration process, with the assessment that Montenegro's progress is significant. 

"The position of the Bulgarian state in terms of enlargement is unambiguous. The place for Montenegro is in the EU, and gradually for other WB countries," Iotova said, stressing that it is a common task not only to restore the scope of enlargement to the EU agenda, but to turn it into its main foreign policy priority.

Iotova agreed with Đukanović that the security of Europe is not possible without the stability of the WB, and emphasized that the integration of the region is a guarantee for its development and progress.

It is jointly assessed that the continuation of cooperation and dialogue is crucial for further improvement and strengthening the European perspective of the region.

Read more news about politics in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.