On May 11th 2003, you've
been elected with 63% of the votes as the candidate of
the Democratic Party of Socialists and the Social Democratic
Party. What does this election represent for you and for
the country?
For me, these elections represent the recognition of the
quality of the formerly led Government. While I was Prime
Minister, I believe I fulfilled the expectations of the
citizens, and I have worked in their best interests. We
are going to conduct our election program in the best
interest of Montenegro, that was the main point on the
election agenda. Being part of the former Government as
Prime Minister meant to be a part of the Government that
preserved the peace in Montenegro, and ensured the quality
of intra-religious and intra-national relations. We successfully
resisted Milosevic's regime, and embarked upon the process
of reforms. Those are the outcomes our citizens estimated
as positive ones, and the essence of my political program
has been reflected as a positive one. That interest is
in the confirmation of our integration in the EU, the
development of good relations with Serbia within the State
Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and the confirmation of
democratic and security reforms.
According to many analysts and specialists, Montenegro
has finally reached political stability and security.
Do you think it will mark the beginning of a new era for
Montenegro?
I am convinced that political stability will mark the
forthcoming period and that Montenegro will not be put
in a delicate position because of its political environment.
In the last year, we had 5 elections - local elections,
extraordinary parliamentary elections, and three rounds
of presidential elections. This situation did not make
Montenegro attractive for foreign investments, privatization,
or for investment projects. I am convinced that current
political stability will soon be reflected in growing
interest in Montenegro.. Also, in stable circumstances
we will conduct our economic reforms along with the privatization
process.
You were mentioning the importance of good relations
with Serbia, and the action plan for harmonization of
relations between Serbia and Montenegro has been drafted.
The Serbian Government already accepted it yesterday.
Will the Montenegrin Government accept it as well? Are
you personally satisfied with this document?
I think this document represents a realistic picture of
the relationship between our economies. We have accepted
the immediate harmonization of 80% of our customs, and
the other 20% will be harmonized in a 2 year process.
Acceptance of the action plan is another significant step
towards the forthcoming summit in Thessalonica. I am positive
that this should enable us to get the green light to start
the feasibility studies. At the end of the process we
will sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement.
Acceptance of the action plan also shows a good start
within our union.
You already stated that you would call for referendum
in 3 years' time. Do you think it is a necessary step
for the construction of the Montenegrin identity?
I believe it is essential, both for the people striving
for the survival of the Union and for the supporters of
the idea of an independent Montenegro. It will be a chance
to prove our public opinion on this issue and to show
that our citizens will be the only ones entitled to determine
the future of our country. It will be a chance to determine
whether they would support the Union model or the idea
of an independent Montenegro. I believe that the referendum
will be held in an entirely democratic environment, and
the outcome will be accepted by everyone.
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On April
3rd, Serbia and Montenegro joined the Council of Europe.
What does this represent for the Montenegrin aspirations
towards a future integration into the EU?
The membership in the Council of Europe has an exceptional
importance for Montenegro. Firstly, Montenegro obtained
the membership into a big European democratic coalition,
and we have an opportunity to take advantage of its expert
and technical assistance in drafting new legislation following
European standards. We will also qualify for the services
of the European Court of Human Rights, and get good credit
loans from the Bank for Development of the Council of
Europe. For us, it is of great importance and I perceive
it as recognition of a good state policy. That, of course,
bounds us to continue with such a policy in the future.
Last Wednesday, the Italian President Carlo Azeglio
Campi said he would support your efforts to get closer
to the EU at the EU-Western Balkan summit in Thessalonica,
Greece, which will take place in June and where Europe's
action plans for the Balkans will be presented. What are
your expectations concerning this summit?
The expectations of Serbia and Montenegro are really high.
We expect the recognition of what we have accomplished
already, and the encouragement for future activities towards
European integration. We expect the approval of the Feasibility
Study draft, which would give us the opportunity to sign
the Stabilization and Association Agreement by the end
of this year/beginning of next year. Such an attitude
in the summit would imply the recognition of what we have
done so far. Of course it would encourage further reform
activities.
You are the highest representative of the country on
the international scene. How would you define your relationships
with the neighbouring countries, on one hand, and with
the international community, especially Western Europe,
on the other hand?
I have to express my deepest satisfaction with our relations
with the EU and the former Yugoslav republics. Montenegro,
as a country small in size and population, needs to be
completely open, enabling a maximum of communication,
free movement of goods, people and services. With all
our neighbours, we have entirely open and constructive
relations. Our borders are fully open, and anyone who
wishes to visit Montenegro could do so by using only his/her
ID card. We want a maximum of economic links with the
other former Yugoslav Republics, and that would revitalize
our cooperation and bring it to where it was prior to
the disintegration of the country. We believe that to
be the interest of all former Yugoslav Republics. We believe
that the countries in the Western Balkans should come
closer to each other in order to achieve their common
economic interests. The more we cooperate together, the
sooner we will meet the criteria for entering the EU.
What would be your vision of Montenegro in 5 years?
I hope that in this 5 year term, we will have a chance
to join the Partnership for Peace. I believe it is realistic
to expect that. I also believe that our ambition to sign
the Stabilization and Association Agreement and get the
status of an applicant country to the EU in the following
five years is realistic. In the mentioned time frame,
a significant part of economic and security reforms will
be conducted, and as a result of that we can expect higher
living standards, and an increased level of production.
I believe that the privatization process will bring an
inflow of foreign capital both through investment and
privatization per se. Of course, the next five year period
will be the timeframe of intensive economic reforms out
of which our citizens and economy will definitely benefit.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement
during your PM mandate, and what will be your main challenge
as President of the Republic of Montenegro?
I believe that our greatest achievement was preserving
the Montenegrin State and the Montenegrin identity during
the Milosevic era. Our country was jeopardized in all
aspects: political, economic, security, etc. In the economic
sphere, Mr. Milosevic had the ambition of eliminating
the main instruments for channelling our economic policy,
and establishing an economic dependence on the sovereign
state. When I became the Prime Minister of Montenegro,
the Republic at the time did not have monetary sovereignty,
no customs, and no share in budget revenues from mutual
funds. However, Montenegro established its economic sovereignty,
and it has full potential for the implementation of its
economic functions. There was a high risk of misuse of
military forces at the time, which when I was Prime Minister
were under the military command of the Supreme Headquarters
(SH). At the SH, the President of our Republic met the
Presidents of Serbia and the Federation. Whilst now, we
have the Supreme Defence Headquarters which takes decisions
concerning the risks, and elimination of security hazards.
What my future obligation shall be is ensuring security,
and the economic integration of Montenegro within Euro-Atlantic
associations, which is where our country sees itself.
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