The five-euro pension increase is shameful, said the leader of the Civic Movement URA, Dritan Abazović.
He said this in his author's podcast "Friday with Dritan".
Abazović, as announced by the Civic Movement URA, said that the European Union Summit in Tivat is a great recognition for Montenegro and that the Western Balkans region needs cooperation and partnership, not a return to the Balkan channel from which we will view each other as enemies.
"The European Union summit is promoting the idea of a European future for Montenegro and the region. This does not go hand in hand with blocking borders, sending people with dubious biographies, media backlash and creating the image that something extraordinary is happening, that incidents or retaliation are being prepared. The region needs to choose its own path. Either we will follow the path of reconciliation, cooperation and a European perspective, or we will return to some Balkan channel and simply view everyone else as enemies," Abazović said in his author's podcast.
He said that sending fans and criminals from Serbia to this type of event was unprecedented, and the reciprocity for their return, or retaliation against the citizens of Montenegro, was unacceptable and the worst thing that had happened.
The statement said that he criticized "the latest humiliation of pensioners, whose benefits were increased by five instead of 40 euros, as proposed by URA."
"The summit represents an increase in credibility and international reputation that Montenegro needs to preserve and build on. Montenegro has shown that it is a partner of the European Union," said Abazović.
The ugly side of the events in Tivat, he assessed, was the fact that a group of almost 90 citizens of the Republic of Serbia, with very dubious biographies, fans or, as he said, supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, tried to come to the Summit.
"I've never seen a dumber move than that. This is the first time in my life I've heard of someone going to a summit with supporters. It's not disputed that protests are organized around the world where summits are held. But I've never heard of summit participants bringing people with them to support them, create a problem or do something else," he said.
He assessed that the police reaction was justified because it was a high-risk gathering.
"However, that was not the worst thing that happened. The worst thing was that retaliation was launched against the citizens of Montenegro, who were neither guilty nor obligated, nor did they go to political events or the Summit, but rather, by coincidence, wanted to travel to the Republic of Serbia for business, private, health or other reasons. They were detained at the border, additional checks were carried out, and several people, including my colleague Blažo Radjenović, did not manage to cross the border, but were turned back without any explanation. I think a very ugly and unnecessary message was sent," he said.
Abazović reiterated that the region needs reconciliation, cooperation and partnership.
He told the citizens of Serbia that they are welcome in Montenegro, that Montenegro sends a message of friendship and that no politics should hinder us from achieving our main goal, which is connecting the peoples living in this region.
"Let's turn to the future, let's turn to cooperation," said Abazović.
When asked about relations between Podgorica and Belgrade, he said that they were very bad, and that the alleged cordial meeting between the president and prime minister in Tivat was fake.
"Good political management is needed that will reduce tensions and enable the people of this region to seize the opportunity that suddenly appeared so that our future, our common future, will be much more beautiful than the tragic nineties," said Abazović.
Speaking about the increase in pensions in Montenegro, Abazović believes that the state has once again disgraced itself in front of 120.000 pensioners, when, through an extraordinary adjustment, pensions were increased by five euros instead of 40 euros, as proposed by the URA.
"Dear pensioners, 120.000 of you should know that there is only one address for this situation, and that is the Government of Montenegro. Do not forget this even in 2027 when the elections come. Talk to your children, grandchildren and everyone who participates in political life in any way. The people who humiliated you are sitting in the Government today," he said.
Abazović said that the ruling majority has rejected the proposal to put a 40 euro pension increase on the agenda several times.
"Let's not behave like that. Each of us has a pensioner at home or in our environment. Let's not treat the oldest citizens in an unfair way. A five-euro increase is shameful," said the URE leader.
He announced that URA will continue to provide support to pensioners.
On the occasion of June 5, World Environment Day, he praised civil activists who have been working dedicatedly for years to preserve nature, Zenepa Lika, Darko Saveljić, Aleksandar Dragićević, Vuk Vujisić and many others. He also reminded that URA is a member of the European Greens.
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