Montenegro has declared NATO invitation its strategic goal – and received it. Prime Minister says that this was recognition for the reforms carried out and an important step towards strengthening regional and European, but also global stability. It will accelerate Montenegro’s path towards EU membership also, he said.
While NATO member states prepare things for full accession of Montenegro, the country will be participating as observer in all activities of the Alliance, without the right to vote, Djukanovic said in an interview with Russian Kommersant, adding that surveys show a continuous and visibly increasing support for NATO membership.
“Two out of three Montenegrin citizens are convinced that our country will become a member. This conviction has been stable over a long period of time. Just from March to November 2015, the number of citizens who would vote in a referendum that Montenegro becomes a member of NATO, one of the latest researches says, increased by one-third, or 55 thousand. At the same time, the number of those who would vote against NATO, has fallen by about 82 thousand. In March this year, NATO was supported by 165 thousand citizens, in August, this figure rose to 190 thousand, and in November, to more than 220 thousand”, said Djukanovic.
He comments whether Montenegro’s campaign answered the main question: why should it join NATO.
“The growing trend of supporting membership confirms that we are on the right track. Indeed, there are many arguments in favor of joining the Alliance. There is almost no solid argument against it, if we disregard emotion, or tradition, which are being emphasized by one part of our population, but also outside of Montenegro. However, in politics, emotions are not the best ally, and tradition of Montenegro and the Balkans as a whole should be in function of the future, not the past”, Djukanovic said.
Montenegro’s aspirations to join NATO have caused an extremely negative reaction from Russia.
“Practically from the first day of independence of Montenegro, Moscow was well aware that we will have this goal. Just as we knew Russia is in principle opposed to NATO enlargement. Had the process of Montenegro’s membership in NATO started a few years ago, I’m sure we wouldn’t have the reaction from Moscow that we have today. What is this about? Unfortunately, it’s about the worsening of relations between Russia and the Alliance. And between Russia and the EU. This is most vividly refracted through Montenegrin-Russian relations today. However, I believe that before long, our relations will be back to normal”, Djukanovic said.
Prime Minister explained why he said Russia had a role in recent protests in Podgorica:
“Just what we could see with a naked eye, daily – a permanent support to Montenegrin opposition by parts of the Russian state media, some politicians, MPs, various institutes that in Montenegro publicly praise their association with the Kremlin, which no one from official Russia ever denied; the overt support of protests aimed at destabilizing legal institutions of the state and overthrowing the democratically elected government in a revolutionary way. For many reasons, Russia is the last country from which Montenegro expected something like this”, said the Prime Minister.
However, although relations between Russia and NATO are today are at a low level, Djukanovic says the accession of Montenegro is wrong to be perceived as an anti-Russian move.
“Our membership in NATO is not directed against anyone, and it is not against Russia. We do not have a single to not preserve our historically close relations with Moscow. Does anyone really believe Russia does not have friends in NATO? I deliberately do not want to name these countries, as those not mentioned could feel neglected. The question is not why is Montenegro joining NATO, but why would it bother Russia, or anyone? And why would any country, especially the historically friendly one, be bothered by our ambition to freely choose our path into the future?”, asked the Prime Minister.
Djukanovic was asked whether things will now change for Russian tourists, which annually visit Montenegro by hundreds of thousands, and if perhaps visas will be introduced.
“One of the reasons we are going into NATO, I say again, is for greater stability, and not only for the citizens of Montenegro, but also for foreign investors and tourists. Our goal is to have more Russian tourists. After all, do Russian tourists mind travelling to NATO countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Greece..? .. Albania, which is our neighborhood, and which in the meanwhile also became a member of NATO. Russian tourists continued to go there without a visa. Why should it be different in Montenegro? Russian citizens are well aware that, thanks to having property in our country, they have the right to regulate their temporary residence permits. They also know that foreigners have the right to buy land in our country, and that Montenegro is an attractive destination for Russians not only because of historical ties”, Djukanovic said.
He reveals he is bothered by critical publications in the Russian media and statements by Russian politicians about Montenegro and about him personally:
“The more so, because they are unfounded and arbitrary. He who says he is not bothered by such things is lying. But since I have been in politics for a long time – which has recently been strikingly emphasized in reactions from Russia – I am used to praise and criticism both at home and from abroad. I stand by my principles and direction that I believe is good of my people and my country. I remember well the friendly advice of President Putin ahead of the referendum in Montenegro – If you are convinced of this, then take responsibility. Indeed, I believe Montenegro is on a good course. I remember that Minister Lavrov, not so long ago, said one should not be guided by the logic that one cannot be a partner of Russia, if it is an ally of America, and vice versa. And if Montenegro is on the right course, then this is good for all our friends. So it’s good for Russia as well”, concluded the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic.
