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Nik Gjeloshaj: The Euro-Atlantic orientation of Montenegro, inviolable

2024-02-02 21:10:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Nik Gjeloshaj

After the last parliamentary elections in Montenegro, the operation of some justice institutions was unblocked and Montenegro held the intergovernmental conference with the Union. European. However, the election of the representative of the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian political forces as speaker of the parliament, Andrija Mandic, has raised concerns in the United States and the European Union.

During an interview for the Voice of America, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Montenegro, Nik Gjeloshaj, said that the role of Andrija Mandi?, representative of the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian parties as speaker of parliament and the inclusion during this year in the government cabinet of representatives other of these forces, will not change the Euro-Atlantic orientation of Montenegro.

According to him, issues such as Euro-Atlantic integration and the continuation of sanctions against Russia are part of the coalition agreement, which the government will respect.

"If there is a violation of the governing coalition agreement, not only we will leave, but others too. I think that the one who would violate the points of the agreement will no longer be part of the government", said Mr. Gjeloshaj.

Voice of America: Mr. Gjeloshaj, next week will be the first 100 days of the new government of Montenegro. In the last report, the European Council urged your country to undertake urgent reforms in the framework of Euro-Atlantic integration, such as reforms in justice. What are the measures being taken in this direction?

Nik Gjeloshaj: Honestly, in the first 100 days, as far as the Euro-Atlantic path is concerned, integration into the European Union, the government has taken many steps. At first, I had doubts about whether so many cases could be resolved, but the process of electing the seventh judge of the Constitutional Court was completed. For us this is important because he is Albanian. During this period, the Judicial Council was completed and a week ago the chief state prosecutor was elected. So for five years, Montenegro did not have a state prosecutor, from 2019 no consensus was reached on this issue in the parliament. The opportunity was found for this and with the support of over 70 percent of the parliament, the chief state prosecutor was elected. The solution of these three issues has advanced the position of Montenegro on the path of European integration. We also had a meeting of the government of Montenegro with representatives of the European Union in Brussels, something that had not happened for more than two years. So, for 100 days, these big issues have been resolved. The government has also approved a budget of three billion euros, which includes large capital investments and what is important for us, it includes investments in areas where Albanians live. So, for 100 days we are satisfied with what the government of Montenegro has achieved.

Voice of America: Mr. Gjeloshaj, currently the post of Speaker of the Parliament is held by Andrija Mandi?, a representative of the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian parties, an opponent of Montenegro's membership in NATO, a supporter of the lifting of sanctions against Russia and the withdrawal of recognition of independence of Kosovo. Mr. Mandi? was also elected with the votes of your coalition. Do these attitudes of his bother you?

Nik Gjeloshaj:Yes. We have known his past positions and for this we have made a coalition agreement, which was signed by these political representatives and provides for the respect of issues which are very important to us. Among them are the ones you mentioned. In the first 100 days, the government of Montenegro has continued the sanctions against Russia. So there has been no change of political course. The government is in the process of appointing the ambassador of Montenegro to Kosovo. So there is no change in this matter either. We think that as long as the coalition agreement will be respected, the government will be completely focused on the implementation of what is included in it. This includes issues such as Euro-Atlantic integration, support for Ukraine and continued sanctions against Russia. So, there will be an alignment of our foreign policy with that of the European Union and that of our NATO partners in every aspect. I think that the government will continue to respect these issues and as it is now and in the future one's past attitudes will not change this policy.

Voice of America: Is there any point in this agreement, which if violated, would cause you to leave the governing coalition?

Nik Gjeloshaj: Absolutely. If there is a violation of the ruling coalition agreement, not only we will leave, but others too. We will not violate the terms of the agreement. We believe in those points of agreement. I think that whoever would violate the points of the agreement will no longer be part of the government. We will not need to leave, but we will leave those who violate those points. Of course, we are ready to withdraw if something happens, if one of those points is not respected. But, again, I think that the one who will not respect the points of agreement will no longer be part of the governing coalition.

Voice of America: As part of this agreement, it is expected that there will be a reorganization of the government and representatives of the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian parties will be included in it. Washington and the European Union have expressed their concern about the inclusion in the government of parties and their leaders who oppose Euro-Atlantic values. Are you afraid that this could negatively affect the European integration process?

Nik Gjeloshaj: Until the government leads the internal and external policy, the majority in the government convincingly has a policy, which is to respect those principles from the agreement. I have said it again and again, anyone who can and will stick to those principles, will realize those principles in politics, can lead any institution, but if he does not want or will act differently from it, normal that will not be able to be part of the government. I believe that the principles are clear, they are public. The one who obeys them can be and will be part of the government, the one who does not obey them, cannot even be part of the government of Montenegro.

Voice of America : The opposition in Montenegro has raised the concern that the initiative for dialogue on two citizenships, supported by the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian parties, aims to change the national identity of Montenegro. According to them, this "would be mainly used to bring voters from the region, from Republika Srpska and from Serbia to influence the results of the elections in the country". Do you support this initiative?

Nik Gjeloshaj : Honestly, I have not analyzed that idea. It is more of a political, public attitude. He has not come to institutions, nor has he discussed such an issue at the table. We as Albanians must analyze how this reflects on us and the Euro-Atlantic future of Montenegro. In a way, without deeply analyzing the proposal, it suits the Albanians to have a liberalization on the possibility of obtaining citizenship, we have many people in the diaspora who have close ties with Montenegro, while Montenegro is one of the countries which I think is more strict about obtaining citizenship. I think it is more strict than the United States of America. If there is progress in that direction, it would suit us as a people, but we would not support something that could jeopardize the Euro-Atlantic future of Montenegro or the change of the structure, or the future orientation of Montenegro, although they may suit us in the short term, but if it is not something long-term, normal we will not support it. But, to be precise, without seeing it as a concrete proposal, based on public statements, it is not serious to comment or take a position.

VOA:Are you concerned about Russian economic influence in your country? The Central Bank for foreign investments in Montenegro announced that Russian citizens are the largest foreign investors in the country, for the period January-May 2023. According to it, they have invested nearly 53 million euros.

Nik Gjeloshaj: In Montenegro, there has been a state institutional vacuum for 2-3 years and there was no rule to know why and where the investments are coming from. I think that with the formation of the new government, stability has been created in every aspect, and the investments that the government of Montenegro promotes are Western, American ones, which it will continue to promote. I think that those investments will bring economic growth and added value to Montenegro.
These (Russian investments) were from the past, I think they are changing a lot, I repeat, we have continued the sanctions against Russia, we will continue with the policy that has always been Euro-ethnic, pro-Western and pro-American. Until then, as Albanians, we will maintain this spirit in the government and I believe that with the partners we are in the government today, with Prime Minister Spaji? and others, we will succeed in maintaining this orientation./ VOA