Radulović i Abdrakhmanov: Montenegro is country of all its citizens, multiethnical dialogue is basis for social and economic progress

“Montenegro is proud of its multicultural character, as country that cherish highest democratic values – rule of law and human rights as basis for social progress” – Foreign Minister Đorđe Radulović stressed during today’s online talk with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov.

Head of Montenegrin diplomacy congratulated to collocutor on his appointment and assuming this important mandate within the Organization. He added that his dynamic engagement on this position is already evident, thus that such proactive approach additionally encourages and stimulates open and constructive cooperation in the most important topics for social progress, such as interethnic dialogue, minority rights and social and economic inclusion. In that context, he reminded collocutor that Montenegro is country of all its citizens, so that Constitution provides coexistence model that secures protection of minority rights.

“We are civic state and only way for our future, that is complementary with the European, is society with equal rights for all”, Minister Radulović stated.

Montenegro is, as he emphasized, worldwide recognized as state that nurtures multi-confessional and multicultural heritage, so that support of international organizations, as our distinguished partners, in the context of promotion of such reputation, is very important. On that line, he expressed the gratitude to collocutor on great marks that he conveyed in his Report presented at OSCE Permanent Council, while adding that such messages once again confirm high level of respect of human and minority rights in Montenegro. “Montenegro remains committed to the negotiation process with EU, where chapters 23 and 24 have crucial role, thus exactly in that regard we count on political and expert support of OSCE”, Minister Radulović stressed.

Ambasador Abdrakhmanov highlighted that OSCE particularly appreciates Montenegrin achievements in areas of rule of law and human rights protection, therefore efforts that it undertakes in the context of qualitative reform processes that are related to the most sensitive social topics. On that line, Abdrakhmanov praised our European path, while emphasizing that OSCE remains at disposal for providing further expert support in all processes and Montenegro can count on constructive dialogue with Office of HCNM.

“You are driver of European processes in the Region, so it is very important to continue open communication with all institutions that are dealing with topics of fundamental rights protection”, High Commissioner stated.

Montenegro preserved multiethnic harmony and peace during 90’s turbulent period, while accepting more than 100.000 of refugees of various of ethnics groups and religious beliefs, with which we strengthened multicultural and multi-religious character of the state, Minister Radulović stated.

It has been commonly stated that cooperation between Montenegro and OSCE is excellent, but that there is always potential for its improvement through intensification of dialogue and more frequent meetings. On that occasion, High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov accepted the invitation from Minister Radulović to visit Montenegro in the forthcoming period.