The unity of Montenegrins and Serbs would show that the majority people in Montenegro can overcome artificial divisions, announced today the Deputy Prime Minister for the Political System, Judiciary and Anti-Corruption, Momo Koprivica.
"Overcoming these divisions would create the foundation for the revival of Montenegro, based on the rule of law, respect and equality of all citizens. Serbs are an integral, state-building and inseparable part of Montenegro. Their interest, like that of all other citizens, is: institutions free from fear and criminal connections. The security of the people rests on free institutions, not fear," Koprivica wrote on the social network X.
He added that the European Union (EU) is a strategic priority.
"Joining the EU does not require renouncing identity, but renouncing crime, abuse of institutions and politicization of identity issues. Identity is a cultural right, not a political tool. The EU protects cultural diversity and prevents discrimination. The Constitution recognizes members of a nation, but does not recognize 'representatives' of a nation. No politician goes through the election to be a 'representative of the nation' nor can he acquire that status. We are members of nations, and we represent citizens," Koprivica pointed out.
He said that history and culture are the foundation of Montenegrin Serbness.
"Serbs from Montenegro are not a minority in another country. They are not a diaspora in the region. They do not live on the territory where other nations created their state. They live in their own state, which their ancestors, together with others, created and defended," Koprivica said.
He also wrote that national identity must not be discriminated against or politicized.
"Identity is not a tool for inter-party confrontations. It is neither the monopoly of any policy, nor anyone's party property. Agreement is the foundation of everything. Prompting from outside and extremism from within are not helpful. The aspiration of Serbs from Montenegro is directed towards justice, dignity and equal rights in their home country - Montenegro. A common European framework resolves these issues through institutions, law and European standards. This is also the aspiration of all citizens," said Koprivica.
He also said that the Serbian language is the most widely spoken in Montenegro.
"It is the mother tongue not only of Serbs, but also of over 60.000 other citizens. It is part of the legal tradition (Law on Folk Schools in the Kingdom of Montenegro) and the cultural being of Montenegro. Respecting the language is respecting cultural reality. All Serbs in the EU: in the same system, with common rights. That is the modern key to the solution. Without confrontations and territorial disputes: the national question in the 21st century is not territorial, but a question of access to rights and justice, preservation of identity and quality of life," said Koprivica.
He said that Serbs are giving their stamp to Montenegro's European success.
"No one has the right, nor the basis, to declare them an obstacle or to turn them away from the EU path. They bring an identity to the EU, which is not a tool for anyone's foreign policy. Identity belongs to the people and the nation, that is inviolable. Serbs are not a foreign body in Montenegro nor an extended arm of anyone outside Montenegro. Montenegro is not threatened because it is multiethnic, it is strong precisely because it is the common home of all its identities. Respect for identity strengthens the state. Montenegrin statehood is an expression of the age-old aspiration for freedom, and Serbianness in Montenegro is not its opposite, but one of its supporting pillars, through which the spirit of freedom, legal tradition and cultural creativity have been articulated," said Koprivica.
In his words, no one has the right to treat Serbs as "enemies of the state" or "disruptive factors".
"Nor to use them as cannon fodder or as currency for political bargaining. Identity and dignity are not to be played with. These are sacred things of the human race. Members of every nation have the right to dignity. Equality and dignity are natural human rights. Respect for identity and human rights is not a privilege, but the essence of a democratic society. Diversity of identities is also a cultural resource," said Koprivica.
He also stated that Montenegro is a European country because it has a common framework for all identities.
"Vladimir Petrović, Archbishop Dobrečić, Mufti Karađuzović, are three traditions in one framework. Each identity is part of the plural heritage of Montenegro and will enrich European diversity. Identity is God's gift to every person, and through its respect and preservation, the individual and the community rise in dignity, love and solidarity. Preserving identity means living in accordance with the principles of justice, mercy and togetherness. The historical role of the Montenegrin Metropolitanate, which has preserved religion, culture, people and state throughout the centuries, reminds us of this. It is always an important spiritual and cultural-historical factor. All religious communities are an inseparable part of a democratic society and cultural wealth," said Koprivica.
He also said that identity and culture are values that transcend political tactics.
"Manipulations lead to fears and intolerance. Identity is not a tool, conflicts are not a driving force, privileges are not a goal. Unity and justice build Montenegro for all people," Koprivica wrote on Iks.
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