ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Croatia and Montenegro view the issue of national minorities as a bridge in the two countries' cooperation, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said in Zagreb on Monday. "It seems to me that in both Croatia
and Montenegro, national minorities are understood in a healthy manner, as a bridge to improve cooperation between the two states," he said after meeting representatives of the Croatian Emigration Institute and other Croatian cultural figures. The Montenegrin President is in a two-day visit to Zagreb for a medical check-up following a recent car accident. He said that Montenegro was trying to ensure for national minorities the position they have in developed European societies as part of its commitment to build a civil society according to European standards. Djukanovic added that despite modest finances, his government would continue financi
ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Croatia and Montenegro view the issue of
national minorities as a bridge in the two countries' cooperation,
Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said in Zagreb on Monday.
"It seems to me that in both Croatia and Montenegro, national
minorities are understood in a healthy manner, as a bridge to
improve cooperation between the two states," he said after meeting
representatives of the Croatian Emigration Institute and other
Croatian cultural figures.
The Montenegrin President is in a two-day visit to Zagreb for a
medical check-up following a recent car accident.
He said that Montenegro was trying to ensure for national
minorities the position they have in developed European societies
as part of its commitment to build a civil society according to
European standards.
Djukanovic added that despite modest finances, his government
would continue financing the work of national non-governmental
organisations, including Croatian ones, to help their aspirations
to preserve the national and cultural identity.
Besides insufficient funds, the position of Croats in neighbouring
Yugoslavia is aggravated by the impossibility for Croat refugees to
return, the visa regime, and their unresolved status.
According to Djukanovic, the approximately 9,000 Croats in
Montenegro are fully recognised according to Montenegro's current
Constitution as a Yugoslav federal republic.
Asked if Montenegro would recognise the national minority status to
Croats if it achieved independence from the Yugoslav federation,
Djukanovic said that "in the past period of wars, Montenegro has
managed to preserve a multiethnic community, peace, and provide
care for the highest number of refugees any country has had in
relation to its population. There is no reason not to go even
further in peace-time."
"I am confident that in the next half-year, Montenegro will be
internationally recognised and that in the new constellation of
relations and with a new Constitution, written according to
European standards, the representatives of the Croatian people
will enjoy absolutely all rights," he said.
On Tuesday, the Montenegrin President should meet Croatian
counterpart Stipe Mesic, Prime Minister Ivica Racan and
parliamentary speaker Zlatko Tomcic.
(hina) ha sb