Montenegrin independence is eternal and so is Montenegro. That’s what Mr Duško Marković said to Mr Milan Knežević during the Prime Minister’s hour. Mr Marković said it in response to Mr Knežević’s statement that Montenegrin independence was regained by bribery. First man of Montenegrin Government was loud and clear – Democratic Front is allowed to mourn the lost referendum, but they should forget once and for all about bringing Montenegro back into somebody else’s auspices.
Mr Milan Kneževič asked PM to comment on the direct impact of foreign elements on the outcome of the referendum held in 2006, which have been confirmed by the released transcript of the conversation between Mr Milan Roćen and Mr Oleg Deripaska in 2005.
Mr Knežević claims that this conversation is a proof that independence was obtained by bribery.
“The Government provided secret guarantee and Kosovo provided free electricity”, said Mr Knežević and added that monument to Oleg Deripaska should be set up in every Montenegrin town.
Mr Marković said that Mr Knežević’s politics was trapped in the ideas of the last century and reminded him of the historical facts and all the way Montenegro had gone through until regaining its independence.
He says there are no elements that would change the overall picture of the referendum in 2006, when citizens made a wise choice.
“We’ve gone so far and we can’t let anybody threaten our country now. That’s why we aren’t buying the invalid provocations”, said PM.
He told Mr Knežević that his undermining of Montenegrin independence wouldn’t be tolerated anymore.
The law enables freedom of religion in our country, not somebody else’s
Mr Marković also commented on the Law on Freedom of Religion and said he hoped the law would have been at desks of the MPs by the end of July.
“People who haven’t even read the law have been discussing it for weeks. The highest Serbian officials , including the president – nobody has read it. This law has been drafted in accordance with the highest standards of the Council of Europe. It’s a contemporary law and establishes right to religious organization but within this country and its laws, not within some other country”, said PM.
He added that Venice Commission confirmed the quality of the law and suggested the amendments where necessary.
Education system should be the foundation and mirror of the Montenegrin state identity
Representative of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Mr Radule Novović, asked Mr Marković about the results and effects of the education system reform.
PM said that investing in the development of young people was one of the Government’s priorities and they could talk with satisfaction about the results of the reform. In less than three years, the Government has managed to increase the share of children covered by pre-school education over the age of 3 from 50 to even 73%. Around 37 interactive services functioning as kindergartens in distant areas have been opened in 16 municipalities. In addition, learning English in the kindergartens proved to be a good choice .
PM reminded that the focus of education system reform was acquiring information knowledge. Inclusive education has improved considerably, but he stressed the progress made in vocational secondary education.
“First and foremost, we’ve broken down prejudice about vocational schools and now excellent students also show interest in vocational secondary schools”, said PM.
He adds that dual education has started and it has already shown impressive results.
Commenting on the investment in infrastructure, PM said that the fund for investment maintenance of facilities had been increased by 30% and he counted several projects built since the beginning of that term of office: kindergartens in Zagorič, Stari aerodrom and Tuzi, completion of the Secondary mixed school in Golubovci, over 150 reconstructed facilities, improvement of school sport infrastructure etc.
In the forthcoming years, the Government’s entering probably the greatest investment cycle in the area of education so far.
“Around 38 capital projects are going to be implemented – new gymnasium in Podgorica, a school in Tološi, Zabjelo, City quarter, a school in Rožaje, kindergarten in Bijelo Polje, Berane, Plav, Pljevlja, Bar, Ulcinj, Rožaje, and five kindergartens in Podgorica”, said PM.
Mr Marković said that the Government would particularly focus on material position of professors, teachers and everybody working in the education sector.
EC Report does not indicate stagnation
Member of Socialist Democratic Party, Mr Ranko Krivokapić, asked what the Government will do in order to stop negative trends in the fight against corruption, rule of law and freedom of media, areas pointed out as problematic in the EC Report.
PM reiterated that EC Report was direct, real and useful overview in all negotiating chapters and that it didn’t indicate stagnation by any means.
“Montenegro is still leading the EU negotiation process. In comparison to the last year’s report, we haven’t suffered decline in any area. We must analyze carefully and objectively everything that’s been stated. Dedicated work and efforts must not be neglected”, said PM.
Mr Marković added that Agency for Prevention of Corruption had achieved good results.
“We’ve managed to significantly decrease the level of corruption”, said PM.
He reminded that EC Report referred to all branches of the Government. Judicial and legislative authorities also assume responsibility. I will never get tired of calling on all political actors and society members to work on the improvement of this society with joint efforts”, said PM.
The Government doesn’t meddle into the election of the members of the Council of Radio and TV of Montenegro
President of Demos, Mr Miodrag Lekić, asked Mr Marković if he intended to support public initiatives of the leader of his party who is now “aggressively starting new operation of dividing and increasing tensions in the Montenegrin society”.
“There are no differences between Mr Đukanović’s political work and my political engagement, especially when it comes to issues crucial to our country. There might be some differences in how we work, that’s all”, said PM.
Mr Marković said that freedom of media was our democratic responsibility. Selection of the members of the Council of Radio and Television of Montenegro is made in accordance with the regulated, legal procedure, in the Parliament and the Government is completely distanced from it”, said PM.
Mr Marković also commented on the cancellation of the Intergovernmental Conference EU-Montenegro and dismissed the claims that it had been cancelled all of a sudden.
“Being an experienced diplomat, you know that the decision on convening intergovernmental conference is rendered by 28 EU Member States unanimously. State presiding over EU invites the candidate country, Montenegro in this case, to deliver its negotiating position and then the procedure of the organization of the meeting begins. Therefore, the conference wasn’t planned”, said PM.
Mr Marković pointed out that the situation wasn’t as dramatic as Mr Lekić tried to present it. The Government stays fully committed to carrying out recommendations submitted by the EC and promoting European and Euro-Atlantic values.
Specific individuals have double-standards
Representative of minority parties, Mr Genci Nimanbegu, wanted to know how far had come the procedure of asset recovery in the olive grove in Valdanos.
PM pointed out that specific individuals advocated for the preservation of the olive grove in Valdanos, while at the same time setting up facilities illegally.
PM reminded that construction of residential and tourist facilities in Valdanos had been completely prohibited and that it was now reserved for olive growing and sport and leisure activities.
However, Mr Marković is worried that the local administration fails to provide support.
Eighteen thousand of olive trees in Valdanos represent overall good that is going to outlive our generation.
“That’s why it is our duty to protect it from all kinds of devastation. Montenegro has every intention of preserving the olives and it will use all the legal remedies to stop devastation of space”, said PM.
Loans are not intended for settling social problems
Mr Andrija Popović wanted to know the Government’s view on the speculations over high public debt and risk of the so-called debt slavery that might be caused by the loan taken from the Exim Bank for the construction of Bar-Boljare highway.
Mr Marković said that the highway was investment into our future.
“We are using the funds we borrowed to provide sustainable growth and development for our generation and for the generations to come”, said PM.
He says there are no any open questions related to the loan.
