WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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SOURCE:ANTENA M - AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
Czech President Petr Pavel is paying an official visit to Montenegro today and tomorrow, at the invitation of his Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatović.
President Pavel was welcomed by Milatović at the Villa Gorica with the highest state and military honors.
Milatović said at a press conference that Pavel is coming at a time when we are mourning the tragedy in Cetinje.
"Your visit is of exceptional importance, and represents a confirmation of the Montenegrin-Czech alliance. The Czech Republic's support for reforms is of crucial importance, in this context we appreciate the help of the Czech Republic over all the previous years," said Milatović.
Our goal is to become a member of the EU by 2028, and to close as many chapters as possible this year, he added.
He says that Montenegro and the Czech Republic share the same views.
"I am convinced that we will strengthen cooperation within the NATO alliance as well," he added.
Pavel expressed his condolences over the tragedy in Cetinje.
"The Czech Republic and Montenegro are similar in terms of problems, values, strategies and interests. We support your ambition to become an EU member, we can help you with our experience in this area. I believe that it is also important for the EU to embrace all these countries," he added.
He said that they also discussed improving economic cooperation.
"When it comes to supporting your European path, we commend Montenegro's efforts to complete this process in the next two years. It has always been a merit-based process, which means that concrete results are needed, and we are ready to push you on this path," said Pavel.
He said that Montenegro is the most interesting tourist country for their citizens.
When asked by journalists how great Russian influence is in Montenegro, Milatović said that the best way to defend against Russian influence was to decide to become part of NATO.
"I think that this is important and that it has strengthened Montenegro's stability and resilience. All the reforms that Montenegro is undertaking on its European path are helping to build institutions that will be resistant not only to that influence, but to any external influence. By focusing on reforms, the rule of law, with the help of our friends from the EU, we are doing what helps us the most to create a better and higher-quality society," said Milatović.
He added that building good relations in the Western Balkans region is also important and he believes that Montenegro can play the role of a good friend there, to promote stability and regional prosperity.
Milatović congratulated Trump on the most responsible position he has in the Western Hemisphere.
"Montenegro and the US share an alliance within NATO. I believe that in the coming period our alliance can and should be strengthened, we believe that we will have a good ally in our expectations. Montenegro and America need to develop a strategic partnership, and I look forward to working on this with the Trump administration," he added.
There are three crises in Montenegro, the first is constitutional, the second is parliamentary, and the third is a crisis related to the functioning of local self-governments.
He believes that all three crises need to be resolved.
"As for the first crisis, which is connected to the second, the attitude of the judge of the Constitutional Court herself towards her dismissal is surprising, and certainly the undertaking of legal procedures on her part could help the Constitutional Court in the context of resolving the crisis. If I can help them resolve the constitutional and parliamentary crisis, I am ready to do so. All national mechanisms should be used. Kos mentioned the opinion of the Supreme Court, if the government and the opposition conclude that I should request the opinion of the Supreme Court, I am ready to do so. We need to sit down and resolve these matters, and everything I can do from the position of president, I will do it," he added.
The Antena M journalist recalled Milatović's announcement that the latest developments in Montenegro unfortunately indicate that the dominant character of the current government is anti-Montenegrin and anti-European, and that it is reflected in unconstitutional actions, the celebration of retrograde ideologies, economic populism and the collapse of good neighborly relations, which he published a month ago (December 23) on the X platform. And since then he has not said a word about the work of the Government and authorities in Montenegro.
When asked Milatović, "Does this mean that the Government and the parliamentary majority changed their character overnight, started to pursue a pro-European and pro-Montenegrin policy, to respect the Constitution and to give up retrograde ideologies and the collapse of good neighborly relations? Or have you changed, and are not reacting to Mandić's congratulatory message on the unconstitutional RS Statehood Day, to the Government's attempt to prevent the formation of a government in BD and introduce a temporary administration, to the amendment to the Law on State Property by which cemeteries are transferred to the ownership of the Church of Serbia/SPC", Milatović says that nothing has changed, that his attitude was institutional.
"When it was necessary to praise certain actions of both the opposition and the parliamentary majority, I did so, as well as when it was necessary to criticize both the government and the opposition. I have clearly identified three crises, my positions are clear when it comes to certain actions that are contrary to "Our interests, but allow me to say that I do not have a magic wand or the power to change certain actions of certain people. It is known who makes up the parliamentary majority and the responsibility lies with them. You can expect a clear position from me that has not changed. I appeal to all actors in the country to behave from positions of power in the way they would want the government to behave if they were the opposition. Being in power is a fleeting thing, and let that be my most important message today. Those who are in power should behave towards the opposition as if they were the opposition," he said.
