Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović said that there is clear and unequivocal support for all initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting anti-fascist heritage, including the erection of memorials dedicated to heroes and victims of fascism, but that the implementation of such initiatives implies respect for legally prescribed procedures and competencies, which begin at the local self-government level.
She said this in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Democratic Party of Socialists MP Zoja Bojanić Lalović, regarding the initiative to erect a monument to the national heroine Joka Baletić, for which the Democratic councilor abstained.
"I start with my personal stance towards anti-fascism, which is public and very clear, and that is that it is the achievement and greatest value of Montenegro. And this is a stance shared by my party comrades," said Vujović, as announced by the Ministry of Culture and Media.
Vujović said that any proposal to erect a memorial to the victims of fascist terror has her full support, but that it needs to go through procedures.
"So, when they go through the local self-government procedure, that is, the vote in the Assembly, in the municipality of Nikšić and are approved by the ministry and the commission, I am convinced that this proposal will receive that approval," the minister said.
She reminded of the procedures that must accompany this process.
"So, first we will leave it to the local parliament to come to us as a proposal to erect a memorial. As for the initiative in question, it was decided on by the Council for Proposing Names of Settlements, Streets and Squares on March 17, 2026 and, it is true, with three abstentions, it did not receive the required majority."
"In a conversation with a representative of my party, the position was that the proposal for the erection also included a location for the installation in the central city square. That would be a monument of exceptional height and dimensions. The councilor's position was that the main square had recently been reconstructed and spatially defined, and that there was a monument to Ljubo Čupić and King Nikola on the main city square, and that erecting another monument in that area was not a good solution. Which does not work for me, nor is it a refusal to pay homage, but on the contrary, to find another location for this landmark," said Vujović.
She emphasized that the choice of location, architectural design, and integration into the existing urban environment are of utmost importance when erecting a memorial, in order to ensure its lasting cultural and social significance.
"All possibilities for further valorization of Kosmač Fortress are open"
Vujović said that the Ministry of Culture and Media recognizes the potential of the Kosmač Fortress and that all possibilities for its further valorization are open.
She said this in response to a parliamentary question submitted by New Serbian Democracy MP Bojana Pićan, which relates to the possibilities of revitalizing the Kosmač Fortress.
"However, valorizing immovable cultural assets represents a challenge even for much more developed countries," said Vujović.
According to her, putting such a facility into the function of sustainable development requires a long-term and thoroughly designed process.
"This implies a regulated ownership status, a developed project, clear strategic thinking about the future purpose, as well as the phases of rehabilitation and reconstruction. The project must be mature enough for financing, otherwise it remains at the level of an idea," said the minister.
She emphasized that key steps include applying for the state's capital budget, local government participation, and applying for European funds.
"These were precisely the prerequisites that the Spanjola project met, thanks to which it received support from both the European Union and the state."
"All options are open, public-private partnership models should also be considered, but serious and systematic work is necessary from the initial idea to its full realization," said Vujović.
He says that the Kosmač Fortress site has already been recognized as a significant potential for valorization. "In this context, cooperation was established with the Investment Agency at the beginning of the year, with the aim of developing a public-private partnership model for the restoration of cultural heritage."
She said that the Ministry of Culture and Media has identified several cultural assets throughout Montenegro that are not in function and require complex conservation interventions and significant financial investments.
"Among them is the Kosmač Fortress in the municipality of Budva, for which an initiative has already been launched and a proposal submitted to the Investment Agency for its rehabilitation through a public-private partnership model," said Vujović.
According to her, this approach confirms the Ministry's commitment to viewing cultural heritage not solely as a historical value, but also as an important development resource.
"Through innovative financing models, the goal is to protect cultural assets, but also actively include them in contemporary trends in cultural and tourism development," said Vujović.
The Ministry of Culture and Media, he says, will continue with activities that contribute to the revitalization and sustainable use of cultural heritage, while preserving its authentic identity and value.
"In order to achieve the strategic priorities defined by the National Cultural Development Program and the Work Program of the Government of Montenegro, the Ministry has begun the implementation of the SA CREATIVITY project, which is being implemented within the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Program," said the Minister.
This project, she said, represents a continuation of long-term activities aimed at improving infrastructure capacities in culture, as well as strengthening the creative sector.
"Special focus is placed on connecting cultural and tourism stakeholders through cross-border cooperation between Montenegro, Italy and Albania, with the aim of creating joint and sustainable cultural and tourism products," said Vujović.
She recalled that one of the key activities of the project in Montenegro relates to the reconstruction and revitalization of the Španjola fortress in Herceg Novi, a cultural asset of national importance.
The minister will, as announced, answer questions from MP Abaz Dizdarević and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Zdenka Popović at the new time.
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