A book about Milo is being prepared: The life and connections of the former president and prime minister should end up between the covers

A three-decade political career Milo Đukanović It should be put on paper - in a book for which the former Montenegrin president and prime minister is organizing the archives, and which could be shaped by a prominent historian from Croatia. Jakovina company.

The Office of the former head of state confirmed this to "Vijesti", saying that his desire - "like that of numerous other significant politicians and public figures throughout history" - is to contribute to "the proper understanding and illumination of the processes that have marked the past decades on the domestic and European scene, as well as his political career."

They did not specify how long Đukanović has been working on the book, what stage it is in, when it should be completed and presented to the public, or what it will be in terms of genre.

Djukanovic's office says that, upon the end of his term as president (in May 2023), he is dedicated to organizing the rich decades-long archive that bears witness to the most significant events and achievements in Montenegro's recent history.

As they state, this documentation, as well as Đukanović's "irreplaceable personal testimony" about that period, "without a doubt represent valuable material for a historian or writer dedicated to this type of literature."

"The distinguished professor Tvrtko Jakovina is one of them. It is certainly up to him to structure the extensive subject material in terms of genre, which we believe will determine the dynamics of the book's publication," Đukanović's office told the editorial board.

On May 19, 2023, the last day of his (second) presidential term, Đukanović announced that he would dedicate himself to "organizing his archives and systematizing his long political career," saying that he believed that this work could benefit not only him, but also those who have the ambition to engage in politics.

At the time, he stated that he had no doubt that history would "correctly evaluate" him, stating that, during his years in power, peace was preserved in the country, multiethnic harmony was strengthened, that Montenegro was spared destruction during the NATO bombing of the FRY in 1999, that the country's independence was peacefully restored, that it was introduced into the Alliance and the EU lobby, that major infrastructure projects were implemented... He assessed that these were serious undertakings, but that he did not expect anyone to fully "understand, appreciate, and even less respect" them.

"If there were, it would show that we are a more responsible society. The time will come for recognition of what Montenegro has done in the last quarter of a century," Đukanović emphasized on that occasion.

He entered politics in the late 1980s, and has since served as President of the country twice (from 1998 to 2002 and from 2018 to 2023), and as Prime Minister seven times (consecutively in three terms from 1991 to 1998, from 2003 to 2006, from 2008 to 2009, from 2009 to 2010, and from 2012 to 2016).

He retired from the highest state positions on three occasions, for two years each, but returned to those positions.

Đukanović led the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) from 1998 until April 2023, when he resigned a few days after the second round of the presidential election, in which he was convincingly defeated by Jakov MilatovićIn February 2025, he was elected honorary president of the DPS.

Despite his undoubted merits for numerous processes - above all for the restoration of state independence two decades ago - Đukanović's thirty-year rule was marked by numerous scandals: cigarette smuggling to Italy, the murder of the editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper "Dan" Duško Jovanović, the "Telekom" scandal, the case of a Moldovan citizen Svetlana Chebotarenko (S. Č affair)...

However, Đukanović did not take any kind of responsibility for any of these events. According to his recent interpretation, the tobacco smuggling and the S. Č. affair were the product of Belgrade and EU security and intelligence agencies, the murder of Duško Jovanović would have caused the most damage to his (Đukanović's) government, while the corruption in the privatization of "Telekom" took place - but not in Montenegro, but in Macedonia, a claim that was refuted by the US Embassy in 2014.

In addition, for the mistakes he admitted - such as years of collusion with the regime Slobodan Milosevic and attacks on Croatia - Đukanović found justification. Thus, he blames the adherence to the Milošević regime on "Yugoslav idealism" and the inexperience of those who came to power after the anti-bureaucratic revolution of 1989, among whom was himself, while the bombing of Dubrovnik was a consequence of "absolute media dependence on Belgrade"...

Tvrtko Jakovina did not want to speak to "Vijesti" about the book for which Đukanović is collecting material.

Jakovina is an associate professor of 20th century world history and Cold War history at the Department of History, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb.

As stated in his biography on the website of the Croatian publishing house “Fraktura”, he is the author of the books “Socialism on American Wheat” (2002), “American Communist Ally. Croats, Tito’s Yugoslavia and the USA 1945-1955” (2003), “The Third Side of the Cold War” (2011) and “Moments of Catharsis” (2013), as well as a number of articles, primarily on foreign policy. Tito's Yugoslavia and Croatian history of the 20th century.

His book "Budimir Lončar - From Preka to the Top of the World" (2020), dedicated to the life of the last foreign minister of the SFRY, attracted particular attention in the region.