Đeljošaj: The issue of the Coastal Zone is an issue of human and minority rights and must be appropriately treated in Chapter 23

The issue of the Coastal Zone, especially its border in Ulcinj, is not just an economic issue, but an issue of human and minority rights and as such must be appropriately treated within Chapter 23, announced today Nik Đeljošaj, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Montenegro for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development and leader of the Albanian Forum.

"In addition to the amendments to the Law on the Coastal Zone, the issue of the Law on Local Self-Government is also important, for which, together with Minister Maraš Dukaj, we are preparing a number of amendments. The goal is stronger decentralization and the creation of concrete legal guarantees for minority communities. Just as we managed to close seven negotiation chapters in the department I manage and achieve European standards for our economy, I believe that through Chapter 23 we must also achieve European standards when it comes to the rights of minority peoples," Đeljošaj emphasized in a statement submitted by the Albanian Forum.

He added that these two issues must be resolved in the coming weeks and that he will not give up on these demands.

"A letter will be forwarded to their governments regarding these and other open issues of minority peoples through the embassies of EU member states in Montenegro. It will present the state of minority rights in Montenegro, specific examples of discrimination, as well as clearly stating the political and institutional actors whose actions or inactions prevent the resolution of these issues. Our concern is not that Montenegro's European path is being slowed down, but quite the opposite. We are concerned that irresponsible treatment of minority rights by certain parts of the government may unnecessarily burden the country's progress in Chapter 23. Therefore, we insist that open issues be resolved in a timely manner, through institutions and in accordance with European standards," said Đeljošaj.

He said that Montenegro has made a big step forward on its European path and that we must preserve this success.

"The European standards we have achieved in the economy must be implemented equally strongly in the area of ​​minority rights. Our goal is clear: to resolve open issues, strengthen the rights of minority peoples and accelerate, not slow down, Montenegro's European path," said Đeljošaj.