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Đukanović: I will fight for the restoration of Montenegrin Orthodox Church until my last breath

In an interview on TV Prva, Montenegro’s President, Mr Milo Đukanović, talked about the coronaviurs pandemic, challenges our country is faced with, and development chances and progress. He touched on the importance of foreign investments and Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and how centers outside Montenegro use it to oust the present government. He reiterated that he would continue to work on the restoration of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church.

President said that that the country “doesn’t want to privatize holy places and structures”.

“This state has extensive documentation that proves that property acquired in MNE until 1918, built from state money and donations, has been illegally registered as property of some private individuals. We want to check that registration, the disapproval of SOC. It is very easy to launch parole and manipulate it, while displaying something completely different”, said the first man of the state.

Manipulation of SOC

Mr Đukanović says that SOC had started with the idea of “defending holy places and structures from Montenegro that built them”.

“But then some other interested addresses showed up and they came up with the idea of trying to fix what they weren’t able to fix in 2016. They of course decided to take advantage of the church, which has served them as the last trump card that they introduced in the political field with the aim of changing government in Montenegro. Everything is more simple when the government is ousted. To cut the long story short, SOC is serving to anti-Montenegrin interest and is doing that by showing disrespect for Montenegro. They assumed the role of an entity which is beyond the state of Montenegro. SOC must be responsible subject and act in accordance with the law”, Mr Đukanović said.

He pointed out that he had never said that Mr Amfilohije was at the front of a movement of lunatics.

He added that no one should let their religious feelings be misused and misinterpreted by those “who want to destroy Montenegro”.

President says he has heard enough of Mr Amfilohije’s statements made on his account.

“There’s talk in circles around Amfilohije that I am under the influence of drugs. Every time I spoke to Mr Amfilohije I said very loud and clear that it is important that Montenegro establish a unique orthodox church that will unite orthodox people in our country. I will keep working on the restoration of Montenegrin Orthodox Church”, President said.

Divided society

Mr Đukanović pointed out that we lived in the atmosphere of a divided society.

“Central topic is related to the future of our region. The idea that the future of our states is in the United Europe has been encouraged in the region. Opposed to that we have a political movement stating that the EU is bad, that NATO is a fascist organization. In Montenegro, those who advocate for the EU advocate for independence and those who opposed independence are now opposing the EU and keep warning us that Montenegro has brought some wrong decisions, that it is a small state, that we should be back under the auspices of the union with Serbia, in global interest sphere of Russia”, Mr Đukanović says.

Crime against Montenegro

Mr Đukanović pointed out that 1918 was a year of national and international crime against Montenegro.

He adds that Montenegro restored its independence in 2006 and showed what to do with it.

“We are NATO member and we are a leader in the EU pre-accession process”, president says.

The most important interest – reconciliation

Two faces of Montenegro are in function, and the cure is, president says, emancipation of our society.

“That process takes time. We have to be patient and believe that we have made good choice”, president said.

Nothing’s more important that reconciliation of Montenegro, he adds.

Threats and manipulations

President talked about threats and manipulations that were coming from Belgrade in the years before the restoration of independence.

“Back then, there was a considerable increase in people declaring as Serbs is MNE. I don’t see that as something bad, even less as something definitive. These issues shouldn’t be given too much attention. We should rather focus more on making Montenegro home where everybody lives together”, Mr Đukanović pointed out.

Asked if Montenegro is in danger of federalization, Mr Đukanović is clear – this composition of the population lived in Montenegro when the war was raging in Bosnia.

“Montenegro has different quality of inter-ethnic relations and stability. We owe gratitude to minority nations what they have done for Montenegro. Don’t you think it’s a very unique example of trust that minority nations place in Montenegro? That’s exceptional and Montenegro must be proud of that”, Mr Đukanović points out.

The scenario of the 1990s

Leaders of some national parties are trying to establish Montenegro as federation of nations that live here.

“They are trying to re-define strategic course. The majority Montenegro recognized that as objective which is not in the interest of Montenegro. We recognized such tendencies, it’s nothing new. If we made a compromise with them, Montenegro would end up like Bosnia and the chaos of 1990s”, Mr Đukanović says.

President firmly believes that kea challenges are overcoming differences and homogenization of the society.

Epidemic to be under control

President said we were faced with new and unknown risk but added that he believed that the epidemic would be kept under control next month. He says he is not considering delay of the elections. Owing to the way this government led the country in earlier turbulent times, president assures that payment of salaries, pensions and social benefits can’t be jeopardized.

High level of responsibility

President pointed out that the responsibility Montenegrin society demonstrated in the first phase of fight against coronavirus was fascinating.

“Social responsibility was at a very high level. The comeback of the epidemic came as no surprise. It is impossible to protect from the transition of the virus”, President said.

The pandemic story has determined the atmosphere in MNE – it’s the atmosphere of fear.

“It would be so much better if e could conduct pre-election campaign without being bothered with the coronaviurs issues. Human history is full of experiences with crisis. This is the crisis of modern civilization. I believe this issue will have an impact on election mood in our country. I will endeavor not to politicize this question. We must all do our best to bring the epidemic back under control. I believe everything’s is going in that direction and that next month we are going to be in total control over the virus”, Mr Đukanović says.

Response to every challenge

Economies that rely mostly on tourism and services, like Montenegrin economy, will suffer most.

“Crisis follows the history of humanity. I believe we are ready to respond to all the challenges that come our way. History teaches us. We are trained for this”, said Mr Đukanović.

As far as credit liabilities are concerned, Montenegro wasn’t a day late. Not only hasn’t it reduced salaries, pensions or social benefits, but it hasn’t been in delay in servicing these liabilities.

“We did our best to help the economy and citizens. We have three packages of measures. The most important thing is that we understand the complexity of the challenge that this crisis has brought and adapt to it”, president pointed out.

Functioning during crisis

The present government has shown great capacity in functioning during crisis.

“When everyone was in the claws of war in 1990, we managed to preserve peace. When sanctions against Serbia and MNE were imposed, we kept the stability of our system. Despite serious threats on the day of referendum, we managed to restore independence. This policy has been dealing well with crisis, without substantial damage”, Mr Đukanović says.

Mr Đukanović says that no one on this planet can tell when the epidemic will be over.

” I don’t want to make predictions. But as I sad, payments will be on regular basis”, president said.

Mr Đukanović said that the best way to get out of the crisis was through development ad investments.

“To keep and build up trust of foreign investors, that’s an imperative. Therefore, we are not considering increase in taxes. We must actually cut taxes and contributions and motivate foreign investors to invest her”, Mr Đukanović says.

We are being criticized for having slow administration, which affects investments, president says.

“We need to understand that the government, the opposition, media and others , should not take part in the destruction of Montenegro’s national economy”, President Đukanović says.

Development gets us out of the crisis

Development can’t exist without investments.

“In order to attract powerful foreign investors, we must put efforts in creating environment in which investors’ trust in MNE will be strengthened. Let’s just remember how easily we lost interest of British investors in Valdanos. Administration that doesn’t support business is not good”, Mr Đukanović says.

New jobs and responsible management

“We must work on using some other possibilities until tourism and services are back to their full functioning. Construction of Portonovi was underway during the pandemic. Over 1000 people will be employed there. What I’m trying to say is that we must not show melancholy and lack of spirit. Crisis won’t last forever. We must think offensive. I am sure that with right actions aimed at making business environment in MNE more attractive, we can motivate investors to continue to invest in projects here. Six new hotels are being built in Kolašin, which will create 1500 new jobs. I am an optimist. We need responsible and serious management”, president said.

It is important to show social responsibility.

“Banks and other financial institutions should help u. International partners are considering support. Employers should think two or three times before they opt for dismissals – are all these employees the ones who had helped them to acquire everything they acquired, can they find alternative for them? What will happen to their families when they are left jobless? We can get through this only if we stick together”, Mr Đukanović pointed out.

Banks, he adds, must show higher level of activism.

Focus on national production

President says we need a new face of Montenegrin economy.

“We have to plan valorization of all our resources in a sustainable way. We won’t give up on tourism. But we must notice that some other activities haven’t kept up with the development of tourism. New face of Montenegro must point at real possibilities – use of national potentials”, president said.

He talked about what we could produce in the state to substitute import.

Energy sector offers real chances as well.

New technologies

President said that we should embrace development of new technologies and support innovations.

He said that pre-election campaign had started.

“The main message of the campaign is that DPS is the political force that has shown that it has clear vision and ever-increasing capacities to realize that vision. The most important message is that we are capable of coming to grips with the coronaviurs crisis. We are going to show high level of responsibility in the protection of human health”, president concluded.

 

 

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