Hoxhaj and other former Balkan ministers appeal to EU, NATO for Montenegro situation

Ditmir Bushati (former foreign affairs minister and deputy minister of Albania), Enver Hoxhaj (former foreign affairs and MP in Kosovo), Roman Jakic, (former defence minister and MP in Slovenia), Emil Kirijas (former state secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Northern Macedonia), Zarko Korac (former deputy prime minister and deputy in Serbia), Zlatko Lagumxija (former chairman of the Council of Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Vesna Puci (Kosovo Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Affairs Ministers) have stated that the latest developments in Montenegro are being conveyed.

Since we have all experienced the Balkan wars of the 1990s, we cannot help but see the alarming similarities between today's events in Montenegro and the events that led to those wars 30 years ago. Montenegro is not a country with a large population, but is strategically very important for the stability of Southeast Europe, even the entire Adriatic Gulf. NATO accession has significantly contributed to regional security of this part of Europe”, the appeal said.

Former state officials have said that although it seems that events involving the disgurging of Serb Orthodox Church Mitrovici in Montenegro, Ionanikije, relate to religious issues, actually “these have nothing to do with religion, or politics or ideology”.

“They are another manifestation of conflict among forces that believe Montenegro should not exist as a separate state, and those who believe Montenegro should remain independent with all attributes of citizenship. There is no doubt that the former Montenegrin government could be criticised on many levels. Despite these mistakes, however, they strongly believed in an independent Montenegro as a vital member of NATO and a future in the EU. Their most aggressive critics stem from the ranks of people who reject Montenegro's self-rule and political independence”, it says further.

The appeal further emphasizes that “should not be an expert on Balkan history to know that all efforts to change borders in this region have been closely followed by wars, human suffering and major tragedies”.

Another country in open conflict and crisis in Europe is the last thing Europe and the world need at the moment. So we call on our EU institutions and other allies to engage in an active political dialogue with all the different political and social actors in the current crisis in Montenegro and to help ensure a peaceful resolution of the escalating conflict in the country. The claim that nothing is happening will have dire consequences for Montenegro and the region. It is especially important to note and reject new efforts to subject a weak government in Montenegro under anti-inflicted influences NATO and the EU” were told at the end of “Apel for Montenegro” to EU and NATO leaders.

During the protests in Cetina against the disturbation of the Ionikije mitropolite, at least 40 people were injured, among them 20 police officials.