[ad_1]
In an interview with H1, Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic says that the extradition of Svetozar Marovic, accused of the most serious crimes in that country, would be a great step to improve relations between Serbia and Montenegro. He also believes that there are no objections from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that the withdrawal of the decision to oust Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Božović would make a key contribution to improving relations between the two countries, because the government whose official is did not make that decision.
On the latest developments on the Montenegrin political scene on the occasion of the adoption of amendments to the Law on Religious Freedom, he says that the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) tried to carry out a “coup” in parliament, but did not he paid too much attention to all the obstructions of the previous regime. because the new government has shown that no one can be above the state. “As for the DPS, now they will have to get used to being in the opposition,” he says.
He also points out that if he could choose the first law to pass, it would be the one on the origin of property, adding that he hopes that law will be adopted in the spring, which will open the way to the political priority of his party. and governments, and that is the fight against corruption and crime.
“We request the extradition of Marovic and we believe that in relations with Serbia, which is in every way closer to us, both historically and traditionally and familiar, but certainly with other countries in the region, we should turn a new page.” We are a new government and we cannot carry the negativity that the previous government did as a burden. We want to start from scratch in intergovernmental relations, ”said Abazovic.
He added that a new request for Marovic’s extradition had been submitted and that he believed it would be a great step to improve relations with Serbia because he was charged with the most serious crimes and caused a lot of damage to the budget and the citizens of Montenegro.
“We consider it appropriate for Serbia to carry out his extradition in a spirit of partnership and good relations,” Abazovic said, adding that in the opposite situation, if someone in Serbia had been convicted of the most serious crimes while in Montenegro, his government I would have no dilemmas. one second to be extradited.
“Our hand reaches out to Serbia”
“As for Bozovic, this government did not declare him persona non grata, it happened before this government was elected, even if it was a week ago, but I really don’t understand how anyone wants to blame us for the decisions made during the period when we were not in these functions, ”said Abazović, adding that Montenegro will appoint another ambassador to Serbia, wanting to send the message that a new era in relations between the two countries has entered.
“I hope a solution will be found, it is a matter for the Foreign Ministries of Montenegro and Serbia, but the whole policy should be based on good neighborly cooperation,” says Abazovic, adding:
“Our hand has been extended and Serbian officials are more than welcome in Montenegro, as well as, I hope, we will have the opportunity to be their guests in Belgrade,” he says.
When asked if the Religious Freedom Act had to be the first to pass in parliament, Abazovic said it didn’t have to be the first, but it certainly had to be among the first, recalling the great tensions it caused last year. Montenegro, the large protests and the fact that it significantly affected the election results.
“In order to create an environment for 2021 to be more relaxed and laid-back, we hold ourselves responsible for removing this item from the agenda,” Abazovic said, adding that the amendments to the law included other rules that significantly improve its text.
“We have a situation that is extremely European: bringing all religious communities to an equal position,” he says.
“DPS tried to carry out a coup”
Asked about the meeting of opponents of these legal solutions in front of parliament and the announcement by the DPS that they will initiate legal proceedings, he replied that this is not a problem.
“Yesterday, the DPS tried to carry out a coup in a way that the State Elections Commission (SEC) did not want to give a report on the occupation of the vacant position, which is extremely illegal and unconstitutional, and 41 deputies will file criminal charges against all members of the SEC. “So it is something that is not seen not only in the democratic practice of Montenegro, but also in the world,” Abazovic emphasized.
“Yesterday I appointed Aleksa Ivanović, who allowed herself to do that and at the end of her career she managed to show how the SEC chairman behaves unprincipled and anti-state, let him be honest,” he says, adding that he would not look back at all DPS obstructions. .
“Let’s move on, we have a lot of work to do in 2021 and we shouldn’t look back on DPS.
DPS is the past of this country, “Abazovic said.
Regarding the criticism that he betrayed civilian Montenegro, he says that in Montenegro, some say that, and others that he works for the old regime.
“It is the best indicator that we are on the right path. We offer avant-garde policy, only that we have an expert government that is avant-garde and something new and so far unprecedented in Montenegro and I understand to citizens that it is difficult for them to accept it immediately”, says Abazović, adding that he is not surprised to see similar criticism coming from and from the region.
“The greatest interest of the State is to generate trust, build social cohesion and advance, especially in the economic sphere.” “Everything beyond that is an attempt by political structures to rehabilitate and criminal structures to preserve the levers of power that obviously see that they will not be able to achieve what they had with the previous government,” says the Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister.
“The dismantling of the previous system has begun”
If he could choose, he says that the first law to be passed would be that of the origin of the property, adding that two legal solutions are almost ready for that.
“But I think we need a little more public debate, professional public debate to make one of those two texts that would be of high quality,” Abazovic said, adding that he hopes the law will be passed in spring and that “what is the priority of politics ”and of his party and government – and that is the fight against corruption and organized crime.
When asked if he had someone to fight, he replied:
“Before the elections we were few, now there are more and I hope that we will be more in the next period.”
He emphasizes that this fight cannot last a day and that what can be translated into an absolute victory for justice will be very difficult to achieve.
“But we have begun, the dismantling of the system has begun, changes in the leadership positions of the security system have begun,” said Abazovic, citing as examples the appointment of new people in that area, the opening of a contest for director of police, shifts in the Ministry of Defense.
He also announced the dismissal of the judiciary.
“The process is open, in 15 days the government could not open all the things and change what a system has accumulated for 30 years, but now the dismantling of it has begun slowly,” he emphasizes and adds that Montenegro has people for these functions .
“Montenegro, as the smallest country in the region, has a limited number of staff who are ready to move into important positions, but I think there are a number of people for positions of greater responsibility whose professionalism and credibility I would not question,” he says .
He also pointed out the possibility opened by the government that people who are citizens of Montenegro and live outside its borders have the opportunity to protect themselves and integrate into the system.
There is, he adds, a third important component: international support, to get people with international partners who contribute their experience.
“He’s threatening me, but I don’t want to sacrifice myself.”
When asked if he was threatened by the announcement of a confrontation with crime and corruption, he replied in the affirmative.
“He threatens me, but he would not address this issue under the principle of becoming a victim.” Let everyone continue to participate in activities that they think mean something to them or will bring them profit. It’s impossible to bother me like that, “he says.
When asked if he feels safe, he says that he feels pretty safe, although he thinks there are some issues to be expected that are related to the dismantling of the old system.
“But I don’t feel the need to increase my security,” Abazovic says, adding that he would let the people in charge of security do their job.
Regarding the popularity he enjoys outside the borders of Montenegro, Abazović says:
“That question is outside the context of politics and I personally like it, but somehow it started to bother me, there are so many things that cannot be consumed on a daily basis. Anyway, I am happy if the perception of the people of the region is that it is a positive person that causes a smile or some positive emotion, then it is fine. And if it’s a negative evaluation, I think people should forget about me ASAP. “
