Đukanović: Even if I sang we are stronger than Serbia, is that hatred?

Đukanović said that Montenegro does not have a serious state political management to do the homework assigned to it by Europe

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Photo: Aljoša Turović
Photo: Aljoša Turović
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The former president of Montenegro and the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Milo Đukanović said that he does not know whether during the celebration of the results of the DPS in the local elections in Podgorica he sang 'No one can do anything to us, we are stronger than Serbia'.

"My question is, what if I am? If we were to sing, we are stronger than Serbia, America, Russia, is that hatred," asked Đukanović, who is one of the participants of the 2BS Forum.

Đukanović also said that Montenegro does not have a serious state political management to do the homework assigned to it by Europe.

He believes that Montenegro's overall development has confirmed that it has the internal capacity to implement reforms and join the EU. Nevertheless, says Đukanović, we cannot fail to notice the regression in the previous four years.

"This brought about serious ruining of the fragile achievements that we achieved in 14 years, in all fields - in the security, political, education and health fields. Montenegro lost the key assumption of what qualified it as a country of leaders and leaders of this region, and that is exemplary political stability. This is evidenced by the fact that we have changed three governments so far, from clero-nationalist to populist. This indicates that Montenegro would not be able to take advantage of the opportunity that is now presented, "said Đukanović.

He said that Montenegro now has the door open again for expansion.

"If they remain open, there is no doubt that Montenegro is ahead of the other candidates. No one can do our homework like us. Montenegro has potential, but it is looking for serious state-political management, which Montenegro currently does not have," said Đukanović.

Asked if Serbia now has the potential to be on the European side, Đukanović said that "there is no doubt that Serbia has the internal potential to be on the Euro-Atlantic side", but, as he says, the state policy is problematic, which is marked by the ideology of Greater Serbian nationalism.

"It is a threat to peace and stability in the region. Serbia balances between East and West, and such a policy was a policy of success in the short term, because Vučić managed to stay on that thin line, but I don't think it's a good policy, because when ends the duration of that policy, then that country is in the same place it was before it started," said the former Montenegrin president.

The interest of the region is stability, says Đukanović and adds that the Velikor Serbian policy, which was allowed by the international community, threatened the sovereignty of neighboring countries.

"If you, Great Serbian nationalism, have allowed Serbia to play with Milošević's mantra again with the inappropriate policy of the West, along with a clear destructive policy from Moscow: "Serbs are threatened, so Serbia needs to protect them", then such a policy endangers the sovereignty of neighboring countries, stability and stops development. This is the effect of international policy in this region in the previous period," Đukanović pointed out.

Speaking about the results of the elections in Podgorica, he said that they were indicative, because they showed that the ruling majority from the state level does not have a majority. He also notes, as he said, the precipitous decline of new parties, which call themselves pro-European.

The former president of Slovenia, Boris Pahor, said that Montenegro is in a great position and could be the first next country in line for enlargement.

"There is an opinion that Montenegro could be the country that would be the first in line for expansion in the Balkans. If there is such a vision and philosophy, Montenegro should take advantage of it. Montenegro should do everything possible to be able to reach such decisions for expansion," said Pahor.

He pointed out that after the aggression against Ukraine, the stance on enlargement, which had been valid in Brussels until then, had changed.

"Don't underestimate the change in mentality regarding the enlargement in Brussels. This change is real, now there is a political will to proceed with the enlargement to the Balkans. From a geopolitical point of view, absolutely, but it should be borne in mind that Brussels is looking for real reforms and that it is not just a matter in geopolitics for the sake of stability. Now we really see a chance for expansion in all the countries of the Balkans," said Pahor.

He believes that there is no reason why there would be any conflicts in the Western Balkans, but if someone outside has an interest in it, it would be Russia.

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