English

Brnovich in Montenegro: Here’s the interview in full

Writes: Slađana Đukanović

One can leave Montenegro but Montenegro will never leave him, said Mark Brnovich, Arizona Attorney General, in an interview with CdM. Brnović has been also performing duties of the Chairman of the Conference of Western Attorneys General, thus being the most influential American of Montenegrin origin in history. He’s currently involved in the Arizona election campaign. He told CdM that Montenegro’s NATO membership actually showed the world that it wanted to accede the European Union (EU) and became free.

Mark Brnovich

CdM: What was that you felt when first came to Montenegro?

Mark Brnovich: Montenegro has a unique identity. I will never forget my first visit – I felt attached to this country and my ancestors. When I came here again with my daughters, I told them: “Can you feel it? It’s in our blood.” They were laughing at me, not knowing what I was talking about. I was thinking about my ancestors, their independent spirit that continued to live in all of us.

CdM: Last year, you visited MNE twice. Whom did you meet and what was the message you got?

Mark Brnović: I was lucky to be able to visit Montenegro twice in 2017 and it was unforgettable.  In summer 2017, my whole family came here with me. We used to come before but this was a special occasion. I had already met with the Montenegrin leaders, including the then president Filip Vujanović, PM Duško Marković and Montenegro Parliament speaker, Ivan Brajović.

In February 2018, I had to come again as the Chairman of the Conference of Western Attorneys General, CVAG. We were discussing issues related to the rule of law and justice reform. I met the justice minister Zoran Pažin, supreme state prosecutor, Ivica Stanković and some people from the University of Montenegro, University of Donja Gorica and the Mediterranean University. I was so proud to be able to talk to law students. We can do so many things for each other.

CdM: What are the things you remember best from Montenegro?

Mark Brnovich: I will never forget when I first visited Montenegro and saw all of its beauties for the first time. I remember beaches along Budva, Cetinje as well, and when I first went to Lovćen. Montenegro is one of the most magnificent places I’ve ever visited. What’s even more important – the country always retains its charm and culture, as well as the economic growth.

CdM: What’s the main difference between people here and in Arizona?

Mark Brnovich: Montenegro is quite similar to Arizona. Both countries have diverse climate and many mountains, and both nations think similar. They both cherish freedom and individualism. Montenegrins are striving to find balance in their lives.

CdM: Do you think you would come to live in MNE one day?

Mark Brnovich: One can leave Montenegro but Montenegro will never leave him. I’m joking with my wife that one day we will buy a boat when our daughters go to college and then we will be living somewhere near Budva. I’m daydreaming about spending my summers there. Maybe one day, who knows…

Mark and his family

CdM: Do your children speak Montenegrin?

Mark Brnovich: They know some words and they want to learn more. Of course, they blame me but I’m not the one to blame, it’s rather their grandma. I love going to Montenegro and speak Montenegrin. My daughter have been repeating they’d like to spend more time in this country in order to learn the language. They’re jealous of me as I’m good at it.

CdM: You were chosen the Chairman of the Conference of Western Attorneys General last year. That made you one of the top-ranked Americans of Montenegrin origin in the history. Can you tell us more about the appointment ceremony?

Mark Brnovich: I’m the only member of CVAG of Montenegrin origin and I’m very proud of that. I’m honored to be elected as the Chairman of the Conference of Western Attorneys General, CVAG. I’ve been running a bipartisan working group of state attorneys for a year, dealing with some of the greatest issues our countries have been facing with. I’m particularly proud of our progress in the area of rule of law. I have the opportunity to travel in countries such as Montenegro, to cooperate with and learn from prosecutors’ all over the world, and focus on issues such as cyber security and privacy. Ambassador Gordan Stojović attended the ceremony, which was very significant to me. It really is a small world we live in.

Brnović and Stojović

CdM: Your wife is a judge in the Arizona prosecutor’s office and a federal candidate for Arizona’s district election?

Mark Brnovich: I’m a former state and federal prosecutor and that’s how I met my wife, Susan. We both used to work as county attorneys for the Maricopa County attorney’s office. I’m so proud of her – she reminds me of how important it is to know who you are and focus on what’s the most important. She’s representing law at its finest, common sense and professional integrity – she makes me a better person, better father and attorney. President Donald Trump has nominated her as a U.S. District Court judge and we’re currently waiting for the Senate approval.

CdM: What are your ambitions when it comes to the 2018 Arizona election?

Mark Brnovich: I will support the rule of law and strive to fulfill wishes of Arizona voters. I still want to be ‘people’s attorney’. I don’t like politics so I look forward to ending elections. You never know what the future brings.

CdM: The U.S. President Donald Trump said that tiny Montenegro and its ‘aggressive people’ could spark WWIII. What do you think of that?

Mark Brnovich: Since the Congress of Berlin in 1879, when Montenegro restored its independence for the first time, Montenegrins have sacrificed a lot to become independent. When it comes to protection of state sovereignty, they can be vicious. If they give in, other country could endanger their independence, and that is why they have to be even stronger.

CdM: What’s the main problem in our country, from your point of view? Is there any progress or rather a regress?

Mark Brnovich: NATO membership indicates that Montenegro wants to be a free country and part of the EU. If you want to flourish in terms of economy, you need to make progress in the area of rule of law and to implement laws consistently. I believe in progress of Montenegro. I hope it won’t lose its charm and beauty which really make it special.

 

 

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