Milatović to DW: All the best to Serbia, everyone chooses their own path

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence, President Jakov Milatović speaks in an interview with DW about the greatest successes and failures in the last two decades, divisions in society, and relations with Belgrade.

DW: This year marks 20 years since the restoration of Montenegrin independence. When you look at Montenegro today, what do you consider to be its greatest success and what are its greatest missed opportunities over the past two decades?

Jakov Milatović: Montenegro's greatest success is the very fact that its renewed independence was preserved as a peaceful, democratic and internationally recognized decision of its citizens. Twenty years later, Montenegro is a sovereign state, a member of NATO, the first subsequent member of the European Union and a country that has a real chance to close the most important historical chapter of its European integration in the coming years.

Alongside this success stands an important democratic fact: Montenegro showed in 2020 that government can change peacefully, in elections, without endangering the state.

The biggest missed opportunity is the unfinished reform and building of strong and independent institutions. The previous regime used the restoration of independence as a political shield for clientelism, corruption and privatization of the state. The first years of independence should have been used to build an independent judiciary, professional administration, free institutions and a knowledge-based economy. For too long, a system was built in which party affiliation was valued more than work and ability.

That is why today we have the task of ensuring that independence finally gains its full meaning through the independence of institutions and equality of opportunity. This means that Montenegro is a country in which the law applies equally to all, in which young people have the opportunity to have a successful life in their country, institutions that work without invitations from party headquarters, and European rules mean better standards, security and dignity.

Of all the candidate countries, Montenegro is the closest to membership in the European Union, while Serbia has been stagnant in recent years. What has Montenegro done differently?

There are numerous divisions in our society, but there is also a strong belief among citizens that membership in the European Union is the best framework for a better life, stronger institutions and a more secure future. At the same time, Montenegro has a clear foreign policy course. Montenegro is a member of NATO and has a fully harmonized foreign and security policy with the European Union.

Also, Montenegro has opened all negotiation chapters, provisionally closed 14 chapters and is now entering the final stages of accession. A working group formed by the EU has started work on the Treaty on the Accession of Montenegro to the European Union. This is a great opportunity, but also a great responsibility.

We wish Serbia all the best. Every country chooses its own path.

Move to the institutional cleansing phase

The fall of the DPS was supposed to mark the end of a system that many described as a captive state. To what extent has Montenegro in the meantime really succeeded in weakening corruption and clientelistic networks, or have they merely adapted to the new political circumstances?

The system of the captive state has been broken. In fact, the monopoly of one party over the state no longer exists. Numerous proceedings have been initiated and the public today speaks much more openly about high-level corruption, organized crime and abuse of institutions.

However, networks of corruption and organized crime have shown great ability to survive. They change political addresses, seek new protectors, survive through public enterprises, public procurement, the sale of state resources and the weaknesses of the judiciary. That is why the fall of DPS opened the beginning of a much more difficult task.

In 2020, citizens demanded justice, order, and institutions that do their job. Arrests only make sense when they have a legal and definitive judicial outcome. Final judgments, confiscation of illegal assets, and full transparency will be the true measure of success.

Montenegro must move from a phase of political change to a phase of institutional cleansing. This means an independent and efficient judiciary, open public procurement, control of state-owned companies, and zero tolerance for corruption and party influence on state institutions.

Montenegro between two strong identity currents

Despite its successes in European integration, Montenegro still seems to be a society torn between two strong identity currents, Montenegrin and Serbian. Do you think Montenegro has managed to find a balance?

Montenegro is still seeking full balance, but we know what the foundation on which balance is built is. It is a civil state in which every person has the right to their name, language, religion, nation and memory, with an equal obligation to respect the Constitution, laws and state institutions.

Identity differences become a problem when they are turned into a tool for political commerce, an instrument of fear, or a means of concealing corruption, poverty, and irresponsibility. For too long, citizens have been asked to choose which identity trench to enter, while public resources have been spent unchecked, education has been destroyed, healthcare has been neglected, and young people have left.

Balance is built by the state showing fairness to everyone. Montenegrins, Serbs, Bosniaks, Albanians, Croats, Muslims and all other citizens must know that their rights are based on the Constitution and the law, with full protection from party arbitrariness. The civic character of Montenegro means freedom of identity and equality before the state.

Our generation has an obligation to move identity issues from the realm of political blackmail to the realm of respect. When a citizen knows that he can live with dignity, get a job based on his knowledge, receive timely medical treatment, and be protected by institutions, then social divisions are reduced. Justice and development are the best politics of reconciliation.

A connection deeper than any daily controversy

Relations between Podgorica and Belgrade still seem unstable and burdened by frequent political tensions. This is evidenced by the decision of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić not to attend the celebration of Montenegro's independence anniversary. Why have relations between the two countries failed to become truly partnership-based and stable, even after two decades?

Relations between Montenegro and Serbia will be completely freed from the burden of daily politics when the fact that Montenegro is a sovereign state and Serbia is a neighbor with whom we want the best possible relations is fully accepted. Respect for Montenegro's independence is the foundation of every healthy partnership.

Our families, economy, culture, language, history and daily life are connected much more deeply than any daily polemics. That is why state relations must be peaceful, rational and based on mutual respect.