The Vice President of the Montenegrin Government, Dritan Abazović, said that a major step for improving relations between Belgrade and Podgorica would be the extradition of former politician Svetozar Marović (former high-ranking official of the DPS), convicted in Montenegro of criminal offences.
"We asked for the extradition of Marović and we believe that we should turn over a new leaf in our relations with Serbia, which is closest to us historically, traditionally and familially, but certainly also with other countries in the region. We are a new government and we cannot carry as the burden of the negativity of the previous one. We want to start from scratch in intergovernmental relations," Abazović told N1 television.
He stated that Montenegro submitted a new request for the extradition of Marović, the president of the former State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, adding that he was "accused of the most serious crimes" and that he "caused a lot of damage to the budget and citizens of Montenegro."
"We consider it appropriate for Serbia to carry out his extradition in the spirit of partnership and good relations," said Abazović.
Abazović, the leader of the URA Civic Movement, said that he believes that the objection of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, that the withdrawal of Montenegro's decision to expel the Serbian ambassador to Podgorica, Vladimir Božović, would contribute decisively to better relations between the two countries, because that decision was not made by the Government of which he is the vice president. , than the previous one.
"As for Božović, this Government did not declare him an undesirable person, that happened before she was elected, admittedly a week before, but I really do not understand how anyone wants to blame us for the decisions made in the period when we were not at these functions", stated Abazović.
He added that Montenegro will appoint a second ambassador to Serbia, because it wants to send a message that a new era has begun in the relations between the two countries.
"Our hand has been extended and Serbian officials are more than welcome in Montenegro, just as we, I hope, will have the opportunity to be their guests in Belgrade," said the URA leader.
Regarding the tensions in Montenegro regarding the adoption of amendments to the Law on Freedom of Religion, Abazović said that it did not have to be the first law that the new ruling majority would adopt, but that "it certainly had to be among the first", considering "the great tensions that caused large protests in Montenegro last year and the fact that it had a significant impact on the election results".
"In order to create an atmosphere for the year 2021 to be more relaxed and relaxed, we consider ourselves responsible to remove that item from the agenda," said Abazović.
He added that the amendments to that Law introduced norms that significantly improve its text and "bring all religious communities to an equal position."
He stated that, if he had the choice, the first law that would be adopted by the new majority would be the law on the origin of property.
He added that he expects the law to be adopted in the spring and that it will pave the way for the fight against corruption and crime.
He accused the until recently ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) of Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović of "trying to carry out a creeping coup d'état" on Monday by trying to prevent the filling of a vacant parliamentary seat in the State Election Commission (SEC).
"It is extremely illegal and unconstitutional and criminal charges will be filed against all members of the SEC. It is something unprecedented, not only in Montenegrin democratic practice, but also in the world," said Abazović.
He said that the new government has started "dismantling the system" with changes in leadership positions in the security system.
"The process is open, in 15 days the government was not able to open all things and change what was deposited by one system for 30 years, but now the dismantling of it has slowly started," said Abazović.
When asked if he was threatened because of the announcement of a crackdown on crime and corruption, he answered in the affirmative.
"They are threatening me, but I wouldn't treat that topic according to the principle of making myself a victim. Let everyone continue to engage in activities that they think mean something to them or will bring them profit. It is impossible for them to disturb me that way," Abazović said. for N1.
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