Honorary Montenegrin passport to Stijović's wife

Wife of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Aleksandar Stijović, Svjetlana Stijović, in May of last year she received the citizenship of Montenegro as a person "of special importance for state, scientific, economic, cultural, economic, sports and other interests".

This is stated in the document, which was received by the non-governmental organization Center for Civic Education (CGO) in accordance with the Law on Free Access to Information.

Svjetlana Stijović received citizenship on May 20, the day before the celebration of 15 years of the restoration of Montenegro's independence.

Svjetlana Stijović is for honorary citizenship of the Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić proposed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, which it manages Vesna Bratic. The Minister of Education herself received citizenship in a similar way in March 2012, and the then Ministry of Science gave a positive opinion.

"The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports submitted an opinion to the President of the Government of Montenegro on April 5, 2021 that Svjetlana Stijović, a defectologist-oligophrenologist by profession, as a deficit staff important for the educational system of Montenegro, should be admitted to Montenegrin citizenship in accordance with Article 12 of the Law on Montenegrin citizenship. Referring to that article of the law, the Prime Minister submitted a proposal on April 8, 2021 for the admission of the nominee to Montenegrin citizenship, as a person of special importance for the national interest of Montenegro. Regarding the request in question, and based on the submitted evidence, it was determined that the appointed person meets the legal requirements...", reads the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP).

According to the decision, Stijović was born in Sarajevo, while the website of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption states that she is a citizen of Serbia.

The Center for Civic Education (CEO) points out that old practices continue and that there are no adequate explanations for such decisions, which, in the spirit of transparency of those processes, should also contain adequate arguments.

CGE is concerned that in this particular case there was an abuse of the possibility provided by the law, "which would have to be applied restrictively, and be accompanied by a greater degree of responsibility of the decision-makers".

Associate in programs at CGO Damir Suljević told "Vijesta" that "from the modest explanation found in this decision, it is emphasized that Mrs. Stijović is a defectologist by profession - an oligophrenologist, and the conclusion that this occupation is one of the deficient occupations in Montenegro is cited as the main reason for admission to citizenship".

"The claim that the profession of defectologist - oligophrenologist is a deficient profession in the state cannot be used as a basis for such a decision, especially when there is no reference to any research, i.e. report or opinion of the authorities, which would confirm this, but it is takes as a well-known fact. Even the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports cannot dispose of such data, so that it would recognize the need to propose to the Prime Minister the admission of Mrs. Stijović to Montenegrin citizenship," said Suljević.

"Also, in this case, Minister Stijović had an emphatic responsibility as a public official not to allow his wife, due to his position and possible influence, to get into such a controversial situation," Suljević concluded.

According to the report on assets and income, Svjetlana Stijović earns 550 euros per month, as specified, from a freelance profession.

The only pediatric neurologist has been waiting for citizenship since October

The Clinical Center announced yesterday that the pediatric neurologist Dr. Predrag Ignjatović, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Health, received Montenegrin citizenship, which meets the conditions for him to be employed on a permanent contract based on his wish.

Ignjatović is currently the only pediatric neurologist in Montenegro, and his work permit expired in October, as a result of which his employment ended.

KC only announced in November that they submitted a request to the Ministry of Interior for the child neurologist to obtain citizenship, in accordance with Article 12 of the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship.

According to that provision of the Law, a person whose admission to Montenegrin citizenship is of special importance for the state, scientific, economic, cultural, economic, sports and other interests of Montenegro can, exceptionally, acquire Montenegrin citizenship by admission even if he does not meet the conditions from Article 8 of the same regulation.

For a period of two years, from October 2019 to October last year, Ignjatović was employed, or rather temporarily employed at the Institute for Children's Diseases, based on a temporary residence and work permit and a temporary license issued by the Medical Chamber.

Ignjatović started cooperation with KC in March 2012 and for the next seven years he worked as a consultant in the field of pediatric neurology.