WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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SOURCE - POBJEDA
During the press conference with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, German Chancellor Olaf Šolz said that he sees great progress that Montenegro has achieved, and above all, ambition to close chapters.
- I am delighted with Montenegro's ambition to close chapters. Membership can be given with that speed and dynamics. It all depends on merit. We do not look only politically - but based on the merits of the candidate country. I am really amazed by the speed and I think that it is a realistic ambition and that we will provide every support - said Soltz.
Spajić said that we will act as if we are already in the European Union, and that we will be very constructive in terms of politics in the Western Balkans.
- It is very important that Montenegro gets IBAR in June, and we have great support from Germany in this - said the Prime Minister of Montenegro.
"Montenegro overcame polarization and reduced foreign influence"
Spajić said that Russian influence goes hand in hand with the feeling of being threatened.
- We think it is very important that we did the December 2023 census in a very inclusive way. Montenegro is a country of Montenegrins, but also of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks... It is a country where diversity used to be a problem - and now it is an advantage. Diversity was a problem because of polarization. However, Montenegro overcame this and reduced the influence from outside, which primarily came from Russia. We have marginalized Russia's influence - said Spajić.
Media owners and companies will be known
He announced that they are working on media laws that should make it clear who is financing and who is the real owner of the media.
- We are working with American partners on a program called Edge, which should register the companies' systems in order to have a picture of who is behind them. This will help us in the confiscation of illegally acquired property, terrorist financing... But also when the real owners are some of the sanctioned persons from Russia or any of the countries sanctioned by the EU - pointed out Spajić.
In cooperation with Italy, he says, we cooperate with regard to the tax police.
- It is precisely through taxes that many times you can discover money flows, especially around sanctioned persons from Russia and other countries that are on the EU list - Spajić added.
Unparalleled support for Ukraine
Our support for Ukraine, says Spajić, is unparalleled.
- We want to get involved as much as possible and help them through mechanisms in NATO, but also through cooperation with European partners - he stated.
He said that we are not jealous of Ukraine's progress towards the European Union.
- We want Ukraine to progress on the European path. We follow European politics. It is very important that we look towards Brussels - said Spajić.
Soltz reminded that the weapons they gave to Ukraine still serve their purpose.
- It remains that we are the country that provided the most and first of all weapons. We are a country that contributes to air defense. We gave important support. This is also important as a signal to others to follow our example - said Soltz.
Potential
Spajić said that they see great potential for development in Montenegro - especially in terms of energy, infrastructure and tourism.
- We expect Germany to help us in terms of reforming our police. We talked about how important it is for our implementation of the rule of law. We don't want it to be just a dead letter on paper - we want it to really come to life. This is what will also attract German investors - said Spajić.
He said that the rule of law, safety and security in the country are very important to them - in addition to profit.
- Montenegro is now a country that has ratified all four parts concerning mobility in the Berlin process and has become a front runner. Germany understands the position of Montenegro, and the results in the fight against corruption in appointments in the judiciary have been established.
The market
He added that the Law adopted in December 2023 against money laundering and terrorist financing is very important.
- It is a new era for Montenegro, which is becoming a new market for German investors and a classic country where money cannot be tracked and where the rules are known. We will get a chance to join the European Union market - said Spajić.
He said that it is important for Montenegro to become a market of "half a billion people".
- For Montenegro, EU accession is not only a question of the values we have proven. It is also the rule of law. We have proven that in the past six months. The second pillar is the market and that is very important for our country - he said.
