The statement from the Office of the President of Montenegro represents an attempt to justify a decision that was not driven by constitutional reasons, but by private agreements and personal interests of individuals from his cabinet, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Nik Đeljošaj.
Earlier today, the President's Office indicated that the Ministry of Finance had given a negative opinion on the proposed Law on Real Estate Tax, and quoted that government department as saying that the law in question should not be accepted, that it endangers agricultural producers and that taxpayers are being put in an unfavorable position.
"Institutions are working together for the public interest. The Parliament of Montenegro, the Government of Montenegro and the Municipality of Tuzi are participating in the Plantaže recovery project as a partner, in order to pull the company out of the multi-year crisis and become successful and sustainable again. Attempts to slow down this process for the sake of private interests will not succeed. Plantaže will recover after years of decline marked by the administrations of Verica Maraš and Nebojša Vuksanović and the political decisions of Jakov Milatović, which were to the detriment of the citizens of Tuzi, Plantaže and state property," said Đeljošaj.
DON'T MISS IT
He said that the municipality of Tuzi is not a training ground for private agreements.
"Since 2021, we have witnessed attempts to weaken the Tuzi budget so that individuals can achieve personal gain. The Albanian Forum was, then and now, the only barrier to such abuses, and that position will not change regardless of political pressures. The amendment to the law initiated by Nebojša Vuksanović in 2021 is not problematic for Milatović, because it was a law with only one goal: to financially destroy the Tuzi Municipality and provide a percentage for the team from Milatović's cabinet," the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
He added that support for Plantations is clear and unequivocal.
"The new management, led by Nikola Tripković, has the knowledge and integrity to put the company back on the right track. The Municipality of Tuzi is ready to provide all support, including temporary tax exemption, so that the company can stabilize and operate positively, in the interest of all citizens, not privileged individuals. The issue of ancestral property will not be forgotten. Of course, we will be persistent in verifying how our ancestral property transitioned from the status of use to the permanent ownership of Plantaže. Through the institutions of the system, we will seek the return of that property or adequate compensation. This is a process in which we will persevere, because no one has the right to take away what belongs to our ancestors and our community," emphasized Đeljošaj.
He said that political pressure on institutions is unacceptable.
"Attempts to use the police and the prosecutor's office to deal with representatives of our community represent a dangerous precedent and abuse of state bodies. The Albanian Forum expects institutions to remain independent and to protect the law, not private interests. It is immoral to talk about threats that do not exist. Everything I wrote in private communication with the president has already happened - all levels, from Montenegro to the United States of America, have reacted, and will always react as long as there are attempts to financially endanger the municipality of Tuzi. These are not threats, this is a legitimate and democratic reaction to injustice," Đeljošaj assessed.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the culture and morality of the state leadership are reflected in its actions.
"Publishing private communications with me via 'screenshots' only confirms the level of political culture and responsibility of the current President of Montenegro. Unfortunately, this act is a reflection of the state of the institution of the presidency and the person who currently holds it. Imagine if I had the level of family upbringing and culture as Milatović and published everything he wrote to me privately about the people who brought him to the position of president?! The public must know, decisions on property taxes are made by the competent local government body, not the mayor. Any attempt to link my responsibility and illegal actions to me as a former president is deliberate manipulation to divert attention from the real reasons for reinstating the law," he pointed out.
Regarding the request for his removal, Đeljošaj says that the position was not given to him, but rather he gained it through the trust of citizens in elections, which he won several times in a row.
"For me, the position is a responsibility to the citizens, not a privilege. If one day, through merit, and not through political calculations from the bench, you receive the support I received, perhaps you will understand the meaning of true legitimacy and responsibility. The Albanian Forum will continue to protect the interests of the citizens of Tuzi and the entire Albanian community and contribute to the development of Montenegro. We will not allow the blockage of the development of our municipality, nor attempts to politically discipline Albanians. The public interest is not for sale, and Plantaže will become a successful company thanks to the cooperation of the state, the municipality and the new management, despite all attempts to stop the recovery process," he concluded.
Bonus video:
