Đukanović: There is no eternal power, only Montenegro is eternal, I remain honorary president

(Patria) - There is no eternal power, only Montenegro is eternal, said outgoing President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović at a press conference in Cetinje, marking the end of his presidential term. Montenegro, he says, desperately needs a stable, competent, patriotic government that will affirm a civic state and multi-ethnic democracy and achieve membership in the European Union. For the next five years, he says, he will be the honorary president of Montenegro, reports CdM.

“I have no intention of explicitly summarizing and affirming the results achieved during the period of rule that I personified in the longer preceding period, the historical significance of which no realistic person can deny. I had opportunities for that during the recently held election campaign. Preserving peace and strengthening multi-ethnic harmony in the 90s while the war raged in the surrounding area, Montenegro spared from destruction and casualties during the NATO campaign against the FRY, a state restored and internationally recognized 17 years ago through peaceful means, recognized as an important factor of stability in the region, a NATO member for 6 years, on the doorstep of the EU, the most developed economy in the Western Balkans”, said Đukanović.

This is evidenced, he adds, by the realization of very valuable projects such as the Sozina tunnel, the Risan-Žabljak road, the Regional Water Supply for the Montenegrin Coast, the first section of the Bar-Boljari highway, the tourist resorts Porto Montenegro, Luštica, Porto Novi, wind farms on Krnovo and Možura…

“With constant unwavering commitment to anti-fascism – all this is the state legitimacy of modern Montenegro. This was possible thanks to the fact that Montenegro showed readiness and ability for changes that testify to the dynamics of the emancipation of our society”, said Đukanović.

He only recalled the most significant ones.

“During the Yugoslav war drama, our society re-evaluated certain historical stereotypes. For the first time in history, the cult of heroic death was suppressed, and peace and stability were chosen between war and peace. Life gained value, citizens showed a higher level of tolerance towards differences, and thus a predisposition towards multi-ethnic democracy as a philosophy of life in the civilized world”, said Đukanović.

According to him, the referendum on independence was not just an act of restoring a statehood historically unjustly and violently denied to us.

“Nor just a democratic celebration, previously unknown to the Balkan state-building experience. The referendum was also an expression of the increased self-confidence of citizens, and faith in their own abilities to take responsibility for their future”, emphasized Đukanović.

After that, he adds, a historical turn was made towards the European cultural circle and the value system of modern Europe.

“That was not an easy undertaking in Montenegro, historically constantly looking in the opposite direction. Of course, this is not a job that is completed in the term of one, nor can it be completed in the term of any government. These are long-term processes in which numerous political, economic, cultural, social and other issues are reflected, under the influence of regional, European and global trends”, said Đukanović.

Our country, he states, is still in the early stages of emancipation, burdened by the heavy burden of economic backwardness, as well as the consequences of the discontinuity of state existence, including the controversial relationship of a part of the citizens towards the state, and the logical and unfinished nature of institutions that did not even exist until independence was gained.

“All this had to be built and improved, not in any way, but according to European standards. And these are long-term processes whose ultimate, most demanding goal is to change the mentality of inferiority, predestination for poverty, suffering, and dependence on others. Expectations that others will solve our problems. This mission is not completed in the 14 years we had available from 2006 to 2020. But significant steps can be made. They have been made. And no one can underestimate that”, said Đukanović.

Most European partners realized that they did not get what they wanted in Montenegro

The strength of these achievements, and thus our vision, also came to the fore after the change of government in the parliamentary elections less than three years ago, as well as after the recent presidential elections.

“In the spirit of a developed European society, we showed our democratic capacity, and thus further elevated Montenegro as a modern European state”, said Đukanović.

The superficial remarks that often came from various Western addresses about the immutability of power in our country have thus, according to Đukanović, lost their credibility.

“I also hope that in the meantime, some of our partners have understood that every political change does not necessarily mean a change for the better. Because in the Balkans, the ruthless political war between multi-ethnic democracy and nationalism is still ongoing. Between European values and the violent change of borders, the conquest of territories and the resettlement of one's own people within their state. I don't know if everyone has, but I have the impression that most European partners have realized that they did not get what they wanted in Montenegro”, states Đukanović.

Therefore, he says, he does not want to remain silent that the emphasized expectations, as well as the concrete activities of certain Western partners to change the government here at all costs, regardless of their motives, objectively played into the hands of those from near and far abroad who did and are doing everything to undermine and destabilize Montenegro due to its strategic European and Euro-Atlantic orientation.

“Which has also contributed to increased hesitation in the rest of the region regarding European and Euro-Atlantic integration as a strategic path of development”, pointed out Đukanović.

Montenegro, he adds, has entered a new era of political life after these changes.

“At last year's press conference, I spoke to you here about why the Krivokapić Government was dismissed, which destabilized the state and society from the ground up, devastated valuable achievements of economic and institutional development, and called into question the attainability of our European goal. Also, about the reasons for supporting Abazović's minority government, as the only realistically possible, time-limited response to the misdeeds of the previous one. We supported it with the aim of unblocking the negotiation process with the EU, repairing the damaged trust of investors and the business community in the Montenegrin business environment, and working together on preparing elections in accordance with the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR”, said Đukanović.

Unfortunately, he points out, none of that was done.

“On the contrary. The opportunity that suddenly arose due to the war in Ukraine to accelerate Montenegro's European path was missed”, added Đukanović.

Because of this, he adds, that second government, which has lasted twice as long in a technical as in a political mandate, was very quickly dismissed in Parliament.

“In the meantime, Parliament was also dissolved, which will be remembered for its unconstitutional actions, as well as for the most ambivalent and unstable majority since the introduction of parliamentarism. And which regularly acted in opposition to the governments it elected, except when it came to the policy of revenge against the previous government. Just like the dismissed, still ongoing Government, which will be remembered as the worst in the history of political life in Montenegro for its ignorance, idleness, improvisation, and harmful decisions for the national and security interests of Montenegro”, said Đukanović.

According to him, due to the "liberation policy" of the new administration, which is characteristic of both Parliament and both governments, due to the irresponsible and incompetent conduct of state policy, the system of education, healthcare, security, economy, public finances, all spheres of society have been undermined, the negotiation process with the EU has been completely halted, and Montenegro's credibility as a NATO partner has been called into question.

“The brutal trampling of the Constitution and the legal system of the country by the Parliament and the Government, as the most striking expression of disregard for the national interests of Montenegro, is a grim epilogue of irresponsible state policy that was self-promoted as a guarantee of the rule of law and the introduction of order in the country”, said Đukanović.

It has become a common practice, he points out, that the Constitution and laws do not apply if the parliamentary majority decides so, that laws can amend the Constitution, if it is in the party-political interest of the current parliamentary majority.

“This is not remembered not only in Montenegro, but in any normal country. The hard-earned reputation of our country on the international stage after the referendum has unfortunately been seriously shaken”, said Đukanović.

Given the internal situation, as well as the complex regional, European and global context, the expected numerous challenges bring the issue of quality management of political processes to the forefront.

“Montenegro today desperately needs a stable, competent, patriotic Government that will manage the country responsibly and wisely, that will return to reforms, institution building, the rule of law and development, that will uncompromisingly build and affirm a civic state and multi-ethnic democracy and achieve membership in the EU”, said Đukanović.

He states that the extraordinary parliamentary elections on June 11 are the first great opportunity and great hope for all political actors and all citizens of Montenegro.

“Because Montenegro is again at a strategic crossroads from which it is possible to move forward to Europe, or back to destructive Balkan nationalism. Peace and stability, multi-ethnic harmony, the civic model of the state, and the European value system are again being seriously tested. Functional institutions are the basic condition for dynamic economic development and further overall social progress, for which the only guarantee is a stable pro-European government dedicated to state and national interests”, said Đukanović.

The new experience in the political life of Montenegro over the last less than three years, however, according to Đukanović, has confirmed the vitality and strength of our achievements and the correctness of the strategic course of Montenegro's state policy aimed at adopting the European value system.

“Despite the ignorance, idleness, and even ill intentions of individuals and institutions misused for this purpose, Montenegro has remained committed to its European perspective, obligations arising from NATO membership, as well as basic foreign policy priorities, showing the vitality and readiness of society to decisively defend the civic concept of multi-ethnic democracy”, said Đukanović.

He believes that the Government elected after the upcoming parliamentary elections will take responsibility and act on these postulates and create conditions for the conduct of normal political life in the country.

“It can also be said for Montenegro what Václav Havel said in the 90s, that without dreams of a better Europe, we will never build a better Europe. I believe in a better Montenegro and a better Europe. There is no eternal power, only Montenegro is eternal”, said Đukanović.

I have no intention of changing my party affiliation

He expects the elections to proceed in a democratic atmosphere.

“I expect the elections to provide a clear overview of the ratings of parties and policies pursued in Montenegro. I believe that the results will show the dominance of citizens' commitment to Montenegro's further pro-European development. I believe that parties that have proven to be pro-European through their results will have the majority support of citizens. We will be truly tested only after the elections. That test will be reflected in the courage of political party leaders to form coalitions that will be able to responsibly take care of Montenegro's interests, and that is the path of European development”, said Đukanović.

Milo Đukanović
He resigned, he reminds, from the position of DPS leader.

“But I have no intention of changing my party affiliation. I am a convinced supporter of the policy of pro-European development of Montenegro. In any capacity, I will continue to support the party I led, which today, as it was then, is the strategic pillar of Montenegro's pro-European development”, stated Đukanović.

What should I withdraw from, from what I have dedicated my life to?

When asked if he intends to withdraw from politics, Đukanović replies.

“What should I withdraw from, from what I have dedicated my life to?! I have dedicated my life to the European development of Montenegro”, said Đukanović.

He states with certainty that Montenegro was an independent and sovereign state until August 30, 2020.

“We never allowed Montenegro to become a appendage of any policy, no matter who it came from – East, West…”, said Đukanović.

When asked if there is anything he regrets during his term, Đukanović states that he would not change anything when reflecting on the most important achievements in the previous period.

“I am proud that instead of casualties, we chose peace and the preservation of human lives, established economic sustainability, recognized that we would be a NATO member, on the referendum, the position of leader on the path to Europe, all the investments. If you were to return me to each of those tasks, everything could have been done better. But these are serious undertakings, I don't expect anyone to fully respect or appreciate them”, said Đukanović.

I will be honorary president

Today, he adds, he is ending his term as active president.

“I am ending my term as active president today. The Law on the President provides for the possibility that during the next five years I will enjoy the status of former president. I will use this legal possibility. I am making such a choice because of my commitment to dedicate myself to organizing my archive in the coming period, to systematizing a long political career”, added Đukanović.

He has not thought about whether he will engage in any other work.

“I have withdrawn from politics several times, and I have always answered similar questions in a similar way. By being involved in politics, I haven't had time to think about it, but if I have the energy to figure it out, I have no doubt, and neither do you”, said Đukanović.