Deputy PM Abazovic Sees Albanians’ Problem in Montenegro in False Patriotism

The Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazovic, paid an official visit to Albania, where he met with the highest representatives of the state on July 15, 2021.
In a meeting with students of one of the universities in Tirana, Dritan Abazovic spoke on the topic “Challenges of Montenegro for the modernization of the state”.
Speaking about the status of Albanians in Montenegro, Abazovic said that the Albanian population is shrinking more and more.
“Our problem is a false patriotism. We are proud of our nationality, we beat our chests, etc. The result of this is the decline of the Albanian population from 7% in 2001 to 4.9% in 2011. The aim of the policy was only to get positions and not to create conditions. First, tensions must be reduced. We need to challenge ourselves to show that we can cooperate with others. The Balkans have had wars, there have been problems and as a result there are prejudices. We must show that we fight not only for ourselves but also for the rights of others. Give the right you claim for yourself to others! If you ask for something that is in accordance with the rules and quite legitimate give it to the other.
Let’s take the first step, maybe the opposite should have happened. Since it did not happen, let us take the first step so that they take the second. And in this way, they perceive us differently. Second, we must create living conditions. We are in a situation where people are moving. Of all the communes on the Montenegrin coast, only Ulcinj is a poor municipality. It has the largest size, space and potential of all other municipalities. Is this due to the fact that only Albanians live there? Sure, 50% is true, 50% is not true.
Does anyone stop us from cleaning the city? Does anyone from Podgorica come and tell us, “do not fix it better, do not promote it better”? Does anyone come to tell us, “why are you 20 Albanian parties”?
We have to take our responsibilities. Is the situation related to the government? There are in terms of investments or other issues. But the way we fight for our rights must change. We must be ready to get out of the ghetto. People are poor in mind, not in pocket, even if they have no money. We need to change our vision and look for bigger, more megalomaniac things. How can Ulcinj become a European brand? This interests me and not to be compared to a municipality that is a little better than us financially.
Regarding the situation of Albanians in Montenegro, I think that tensions have increased recently, but it has nothing to do with minorities. The challenge will be greater in northern Montenegro, as it is being emptied. There is no development, people are old and youth is gone. Some infrastructure projects and development projects need to be done to create jobs to support a part of the population. The highway is being built in the north. It may not have a tremendous impact, but it will have some impact. I hope that for the next 10 years Montenegro will be much better than it is now.”
Abazovic concluded by saying: “In times of globalization, we must move faster and be a more attractive and peaceful state for all citizens living there, but also for those who come from the region or the world.” /argumentum.al