CdM’s initiative to enable its readers to ask the Prime Minister, Duško Marković, a question has sparked a considerable interest. Many questions were sent and today we’re publishing his answers to the most interesting ones.
QUESTION: What is the major foreign-policy achievement of the Government of Montenegro in your opinion?
ANSWER: It is undoubtedly a quick end to the process of our accession to NATO. Already in the first year of our mandate, one of the two key foreign policy priorities was realized, and for the first time in its history, Montenegro became an equal member of the most powerful alliance in the world. At this point, there’s no need to remind of all the benefits that this membership has brought to our country. I’d also like to highlight the good progress we have made in the EU membership negotiations despite many objective difficulties we have faced. In addition, I’d mention our contribution to the regional cooperation, where we have always played a constructive role and advocated for good neighborly relations, as well as the treatment of all unresolved issues in the region through dialogue.
QUESTION: Do you expect some chapters to be closed by the end of the current year, and what do you think, based on current dynamics, in which year will Montenegro become a member of the European Union?
ANSWER: I certainly expect that by the end of the year, during the German presidency, we will start the phase of closing the negotiation chapters. We have fulfilled all the requirements for a number of chapters, but, as you know, not everything always depends on us. I am happy to hear about Germany’s announcement that one of the priorities of their presidency will be the enlargement process, so I expect that Montenegro, being the leader of this process, will resolutely enter the final phase of membership negotiations. At this point, it is not realistic to foresee in which year we will become a member of the EU. I believe we can close all the chapters by the end of the mandate of our future govt, after which follows a complex verification process within the Member States. In any case, Montenegro will be the first next EU member.
QUESTION: Can we expect Montenegro to be a member of the EU by 2025?
ANSWER: As I said in the answer to the previous question, it is realistic to end the negotiation process by then. Then follows the procedure within the EU countries on membership verification.
QUESTION: How does the Government plan to implement the reforms necessary to close Negotiating Chapter 8 – Competition?
ANSWER: Chapter 8 is the chapter we last opened and will probably be the last to close. It is obvious that this chapter is the most demanding in the entire negotiation process and therefore requires the most serious approach. The dynamics of the entire process will largely depend on the dynamics of negotiations in the mentioned chapter. Almost all the initial criteria for opening the chapter were related to the area of state aid, so I believe that the most important criteria for closing will tackle the administration in that area.
QUESTION: How will the Government balance between preserving the national interests (preserving national companies Montenegro Airlines, Barska and Kotorska Plovidba, HTP Ulcinj Riviera …) and harmonization with European regulations in the mentioned area? Urgent reactions of the government in the next mandate are needed in order to preserve national companies that are important to our economy, and to prevent ‘problematic’ solving of issues of these companies in the final integration process from the aspect of compliance with European regulations concerning the rules on the state aid control.
ANSWER: I must note that you are very well acquainted with the issues of Chapter 8, which we closed last due to its complexity. As in all other areas, the competition chapter must be in line with European regulations, i.e. the rules of the state aid control. In addition, we cannot ignore that our national interest is the survival of a number of state-owned companies and we will very carefully lead the process of closing Chapter 8. In any case, you are right that this will be one of the first tasks of the future government – to define our optimal position for closing this chapter, and that will primarily be the task of our negotiating team.
QUESTION: Are you thinking of hiring international experts to share with us the knowledge that has brought the most developed countries to that level? I think that we lack that knowledge, which, of course, is not a shame. It’d be a shame if we did not want to learn. This refers primarily to the economy, how to use natural resources, how to harmonize import and export, how to harmonize the education system with the labor market, how to stimulate domestic production to meet the needs of the population as much as possible. These are all elements that the Government of Montenegro has dealt with, however, I believe that we lack the knowledge that the most developed countries possess, and that we should hire renowned and well-known world-famous experts, individuals or groups, consulting companies, etc. What do you think about this idea?
ANSWER: First, I agree that knowledge, in the broadest sense, is what we lack. In a long run, we address this shortcoming through the reform of the education system and its harmonization with the requirements of the labor market. We must primarily use all our expert potentials, but that doesn’t mean that our doors are closed to expert knowledge from developed countries. Until now, the government has used the knowledge and experience of reputable consulting companies and experts in certain specific areas, and we will certainly continue to do so in the coming period.
QUESTION: Why don’t you treat Serbian nationalists a little harsher? After all, their actions represent attacks on the statehood of Montenegro.
ANSWER: The government and its bodies react in accordance with the law when it comes to any attempt to endanger Montenegrin statehood. However, as you know, sanctioning such attacks does not exclusively fall within the competence of the Government. There are both prosecutorial and judicial authorities, which are independent. I believe that on 30 August citizens will say what they think about everyone attacking the statehood of Montenegro.
QUESTION: When will you start noticing patriots while recruiting? As a Montenegrin patriot, I’m unemployed while many who don’t pay attention to this country are taking jobs. I hope you’ll score a landslide win and solve this issue in the future.
ANSWER: I am convinced that we will continue to develop our economy rapidly in the coming period, which will create opportunities for new jobs and new recruitment opportunities. That will certainly be one of the priorities of the future government. The criteria for getting a job must be expertise, education and experience, and not any other reference.
QUESTION: Is it possible that after 14 years of independence, we are still fighting against Serbian nationalism and people who hate their country? What is the reason? And what will the future government do to curb it in Montenegro?
ANSWER: I would not agree, when it comes to the largest number of people, that we are talking about those who hate their country. I believe that many have been manipulated and deceived, many are dissatisfied with their social status, and that this makes them participate in something that is essentially directed against the interests of the state of Montenegro. Our problem did not arise yesterday or a few years ago. It’s lasting longer than at least a century, and is always encouraged from addresses beyond Montenegro.
I am convinced that the strongest defense of our state against such attacks is in its further democratic and economic progress. The quality of life of the modern world is what we strive for in Montenegro as well, and as we reach European standards, I am sure that there will be less and less room for national and religious manipulations. At the same time, the true picture of our history, state-building tradition and identity must be emphasized through our cultural and educational system. Not to degrade anyone else, but to be what we really are!
QUESTION: Considering that you advocate that every citizen should exercise his/her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion, can you tell me – do I, as a worshipper of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, have the same treatment from the state of Montenegro as worshippers of the Serbian Orthodox Church?
ANSWER: In order for all Orthodox believers to have the same treatment, we point out to this social problem and suggest that a solution has to be found. We will be persistent.
QUESTION: Given the fierce and constant attacks on Montenegro by well-known actors, especially in the last eight months, what do you plan to do in the next mandate to strengthen the Montenegrin identity? Namely, the Montenegrin language applying the ‘jotovanje’ form, has been practically thrown out of official use, the history and existence of the nation were aggressively falsified and disputed. In the last few decades, the share of Montenegrins has dropped dramatically, and while, of course, it is in many cases an individual and personal decision, the number of those who fell under this aggressive propaganda of questioning the Montenegrin nation due to ignorance of historical facts that testify about the existence of our nation, and which the state does not disclose at all, cannot be ignored… I hope you will agree on the assessment that it is high time that the aggressive attacks on Montenegro, which have their roots in the “Načertanije” program from almost two centuries ago, and now are modernly called ‘religious processions’, stopped. So do you think we need to do something so that any next elections like these do not actually become a referendum on independence?
ANSWER: I have partly answered some theses from your question, but also through this communication with citizens via CdM, I can see how important this topic is and how much it holds the attention of the public. It is unquestionable that the denial of the Montenegrin identity also leads to the denial of the need for an independent Montenegrin state. So all attacks on the state of Montenegro have their basis in denying the Montenegrin nation, language, culture and church. If all this does not exist, if we are all Serbs, we speak the Serbian language and we have a Serbian church, then why the state of Montenegro? Therefore, the issue of preserving and strengthening our identity is also a matter of the survival of the Montenegrin state. I am convinced that the majority of Montenegro is aware of these dangers and that it will resolutely say YES to its homeland on 30 August.
QUESTION: I would like to ask you a question about the future of orthodoxy in Montenegro. I am inspired to ask you this question based on the statement that our President, Mr. Milo Đukanović, recently gave on TV, saying, I’d paraphrase it – that as long as he is in power, he will fight for the renewal of the autocephalous Montenegrin Church. However, the idea of a Montenegrin church raises questions: which church would it be? Would the Montenegrin government work on the canonical recognition of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church (headed by Mihailo Miraš Dedeić) or would it strive for the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, the diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, to receive the status of an autocephalous or at least autonomous church?
ANSWER: The government doesn’t intend to deal with the canonical organization of the Orthodox church. Our intention is to help overcome the obvious divisions in the Orthodox being of Montenegro. Whether it will be realized under the auspices of one Orthodox church, or in some other way – we do not want to judge! We just want to be a constructive partner in solving one obvious problem that burdens social life in our country. Unfortunately, we haven’t found a constructive partner in the representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church. On the contrary. But, the problem cannot last forever, nor is it possible to close one’s eyes to the obvious facts. It is certain that the new government will continue to be patient and look for an opportunity for a compromise, precisely in the interest of both the church and the state.
QUESTION: The basis of this Law on Freedom of Religion is primarily the return of Montenegrin cultural/church buildings, which after 1918 and especially in the 1990s illegally passed into the ownership of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and are now “sacred”. I’d like to know whether the control of the transfer of that property to the Serbian Orthodox Church has been done since the adoption of the Law until today, and if so, I think that the Montenegrin public should know about the outcome of it.
ANSWER: The Property Administration had a task to precisely define the ownership status of all religious buildings. It is a matter of extensive work, which is in progress, but the public will certainly be informed about the results.
QUESTION: The recent offer of the govt’s expert team shocked me and disappointed me as a Montenegrin and as a citizen. You unequivocally offered them to be the only users of our centuries-old temples. Given that the procedure of determining ownership itself is long and will take several years, I am interested in whether this Law on Freedom of Religion and equality of religious communities is really designed in that way and whether it will be implemented with that intention, or we – Montenegrins and our MOC- will be prohibited from the use of our temples?
ANSWER: As you reminded, representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church rejected the Government’s proposal to overcome the problem. Therefore, that proposal is no longer valid. What is the reality now is the text of the Law passed in the Parliament. And its content is not aimed at prohibiting the use of religious temples to any worshipper. The procedure of determining the ownership of certain religious buildings is about to take place, as envisaged by the applicable law.
QUESTION: Is there any chance that we, Orthodox Christians in Montenegro, making up 70 percent of the population, get a job in a state body? Do we have to vote for the Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, to be able to get normal jobs?
ANSWER: A large number of Orthodox Christians work in state bodies, as do members of all other religions. That has never been, nor will it ever be, a criterion for getting a job. In order to do, as you say, a normal job, you can but you do not have to be a member of the DPS. Expertise, education and experience – these are the criteria that this Government has advocated for. And the same will be in the next mandate.
QUESTION: While the anti-state parties will run in the elections in two coalitions, all state-oriented parties have decided to run independently… Why is that so?
ANSWER: I can tell you what motivated the Democratic Party of Socialists for this kind of performance, in coalition with the Liberal Party. It is our firm belief that we have fulfilled the promises we made to the citizens ahead of the 2016 previous elections, as well as those from the program of the government that was prepared after the elections. It is our belief that the DPS is the political force that citizens recognize as the guarantor of social stability and the preservation of Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic path. We want to get a clear and convincing mandate from the citizens for the new four years in the upcoming elections, in which the primary task is to raise the standard of living of every citizen and every family. On that road, the DPS will work with parties that share the same values and that can assist in achieving those goals as quickly and efficiently as possible.
QUESTION: I think this is the first time we have been given the chance to ask a question to a government official and get an answer. I consider these elections the most important so far, because this time, as never before, our homeland Montenegro is endangered. There has never been such an aggressive campaign against Montenegro, both from Serbia and the opposition. But I think that dormant institutions of the system with incompetent, unreliable and unprofessional staff do no less damage to us who support this European multinational Montenegro. I wonder if you intend to change such institutions and such staff? I’d also like to know whether we can rely on you when it comes to persistence in the implementation of the law on the church and in the defense of symbols dedicated to anti-fascism and respect for national symbols?
ANSWER: Although this is not the first attack on Montenegro, I agree that the aggression this time is very strong because the Serbian Orthodox Church is directly involved in the political action. To the extent that they even determined the holder and made the order on the list of the Democratic Front. There has been no such example since the church and the state existed! There is no doubt that this will be another failed experiment of anti-Montenegrin forces. I must say, however, that I am very sorry that the church has allowed itself to be compromised in that way.
As for institutions and staff, I don’t think we should make general assumptions. Some did a good job, but I will agree that there were also failures. We will correct the mistakes and finally, I can guarantee you that the laws in Montenegro will be implemented and respected and that there will never be a compromise with the forces that desecrate anti-fascism as one of the brightest achievements of modern Montenegro.
QUESTION: Will you accept the role of prime minister after the elections and thus set up a new government that will successfully complete the started infrastructure projects and take Montenegro to the European Union?
ANSWER: Honestly, the DPS still hasn’t discussed who will be the prime minister of the new government. Once we have the result of the elections, we will deal with this issue as well. You can be sure that the Democratic Party of Socialists will run the new government.
QUESTION: Are you, as the government and the party, ready for a scenario in which the pro-Serbian opposition decides, based on the turnout surveys, to declare victory before the formal closing of polling stations and the announcement of results on Sunday 30 August and invites supporters to celebrate in the streets? Everything would, of course, be followed by a live broadcast in the media that support them. We know that such actions are illogical, but we have learned that logic has nothing to do with them for a long time. In the above scenario, if preliminary results suggest that your party won and had a majority with other pro-Montenegrin parties, you would be accused of direct electoral fraud. But their supporters would already be on the streets, probably instructed to carry out attacks.
ANSWER: It’s practically no longer a secret that the so-called ‘pro-Serbian opposition’ has prepared a scenario that you describe, and their leaders are already talking about “defending the election victory”, while it is clear how they can “defend” the imaginary victory. Four years ago, it was a secret action of attempted terrorism on the election eve, which they also announced by calling on their supporters to “be ready”. I hope people will not fall for their insane actions and enter into something that is in direct conflict with the laws of this state. And state bodies are absolutely ready to protect public order and peace, do not doubt in that. Finally, only the State Election Commission can declare the winner of the election. Any proclamation of victory different from that is a mere adventure.
QUESTION: What do you say about the union of politicians from the Democratic Front, DF, and the Serbian Orthodox Church during the election campaign?
ANSWER: In modern Europe, already deep in the 21st century, political leaders do not run their election campaigns in churches and monasteries, nor do clergymen agitate for certain political parties! In our country these things happen, so citizens don’t quite understand whether the DF’s candidate standing for the elections is a metropolitan or the metropolitan is running for the Montenegrin prime minister!
QUESTION: I noticed that supporters of the pro-Serbian parties often wave Serbian flags on their gatherings, saying that it’s an ‘old Montenegrin flag’. What is it about?
ANSWER: It is solely about disrespecting one’s own state and its symbols! You cannot strive for the power in Montenegro under the Serbian flag.
QUESTION: Respected Prime Minister, will there be pay and pensions cuts after the elections?
ANSWER: Salaries, pensions and social benefits in public sector will not be reduced after the elections. I promised that to citizens and I’ll keep the promise.
QUESTION: What are your forecasts for the upcoming parliamentary elections? Your opinion and forecasts in figures?
ANSWER: It’s impossible to foresee the results of the elections and give figures. However, I can foresee that the DPS will definitely win an overwhelming victory.
QUESTION: Would you rather “give” the position of a prime minister to a person who is a layman when it comes to politics, but you know that there is no better man/woman than him/her (more precisely a truly confident person, with clear record, highly esteemed), or you’d rather leave it to a person who is an expert in politics, knows how to push the country forward, how to run the state, but is a very bad person or a very bad man, as our people like to tell? Which of the two would you choose to lead our country?
ANSWER: For any senior government function, the ideal combination would be to have a policy expert, who knows how to push the country forward and how to run the state. And he/she would have to be a truly confident person, with clear record, highly esteemed.
QUESTION: Dear Prime Minister, how do you endure insults that certain opposition parties hurl on you, and we all know how much you did for the citizens of this country during the coronavirus pandemic?
ANSWER: When you are in politics for a long time, especially under Montenegrin conditions, performing state functions, then you just have to lose sensitivity about insults. I would sincerely like to raise the culture of political dialogue to a higher level, to fight for the trust of voters with arguments and not insults. Unfortunately, we see that there are too many personal attacks, nonsense and false accusations in the current campaign. And especially when it comes to our fight against the coronavirus, where even our doctors were targets of public attacks. I hope I give a different example in my public appearances and that citizens recognize that.
QUESTION: Can we expect soon to get high-end four-to-five-star hotels in the north, as we do have in the coast?
ANSWER: Only in Kolašin and Žabljak, works are underway on a dozen of new high-category hotels. In the previous days, I personally visited all these sites and made sure that the works were progressing well. This is the realization of our strategic plan, according to which the state had to do the necessary infrastructure beforehand, so that investors would be motivated to invest in new hotel facilities. I expect new capacities to be operational in the next few years, which means a significant number of new, better-paid jobs. I expect a strong investment cycle in tourist facilities in the municipalities of Bijelo Polje and Mojkovac, the potentials of Plav and Rozaje are also valuable, so our promise of balanced regional development will be fully realized during the next mandate of the government.
QUESTION: Mr Marković, the investment in the north reached its peak during your mandate and I’m extremely grateful for that. My question is: When will driving licenses of Montenegro nationals be recognized in Germany?
ANSWER: Our diplomacy is negotiating on the agreements on the recognition of driving licenses with several European countries. Germany is among them. Nevertheless, it does not depend entirely on us. I hope this problem will be solved a.s.a.p.
