KIC of Montenegro in Luxembourg: Azemović divides the diaspora into "suitable" and "unsuitable"

The Cultural Information Center (KIC) of Montenegro in Luxembourg claims that the Minister of Diaspora Mirsad Azemović divides the diaspora into "eligible" and "ineligible", and that the Diaspora Days event is exclusively intended for eligible and pre-determined representatives of the diaspora who are awarded.

They expressed concern about what they say is the passivity and neglect of the diaspora by the competent ministry.

They said that KIC's sole motive was to serve the homeland and contribute to its promotion through culture, tourism, economy, sports and other areas, and that their mission was not the result of ambition for personal affirmation, but rather a deep sense of responsibility towards the country they come from.

"These days in Montenegro, the Ministry of Diaspora is organizing an event that is exclusively intended for eligible and pre-determined representatives of the diaspora who have been awarded. Results are not important for the ministry. Guided by the motto that even Bećir Vuković can be awarded the Thirteenth of July Award without having written a book, then people without concrete and measurable results in the diaspora can also be awarded. We are also witnessing the fact that the Ministry of Diaspora and Minister Mirsad Azemović were rated the worst out of a total of 32 members of the Government - the number of members of the most bloated executive branch in Europe, so the question of the existence of that ministry headed by this man who divides the diaspora into 'eligible' and 'uneligible' is raised," the statement reads.

They recalled the initiatives they have launched so far.

"One of the most significant and concrete contributions of the diaspora is the establishment of a direct airline between Luxembourg and Montenegro, in cooperation with the national carrier Luxair. This line has been operating successfully for five years and is the result exclusively of the initiative and persistent work of KIC. In addition, we have actively launched numerous initiatives, among which we particularly highlight: the establishment of the Botanical Garden in Luxembourg, as a permanent symbol of the connection between Montenegro and the diaspora in the field of ecology and education; the formation of a foundation to support young students from Montenegro and the wider diaspora, with the aim of education, improvement and preservation of identity; work on a bilingual monograph on Montenegro, as a cultural bridge between the motherland and the European environment; the initiative to connect the two countries on a cultural level, with concrete results - which has opened up space for the exchange of film and cultural programs, festivals and exhibitions," they stated.

These are, as they say, concrete results and effects of people who want a true connection with Montenegro.

"On this occasion, the Cultural and Information Center of Montenegro in Luxembourg expresses deep concern about the passivity and neglect of the diaspora by the competent ministry, which, according to its mission, should be a bridge between the state and its emigrants. This is a devastating message for over fifteen thousand members of the diaspora who, in Luxembourg and around the world, preserve their language, culture, identity and, through their own initiatives, represent Montenegro in the most dignified way," the statement reads.