Jakov Milatović for DW: All the best to Serbia, everyone chooses their own path
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence, President Jakov Milatović speaks to DW about the biggest successes and failures in the last two decades, societal divisions, and relations with Belgrade.
TL;DR
- Montenegro's biggest success is the preservation of its restored independence, becoming a NATO member and nearing EU accession.
- A significant missed opportunity is the unfinished reform and establishment of strong, independent institutions, allowing for clientelism and corruption.
- The 'captured state' system has been broken with the fall of the DPS, but corruption and organized crime networks persist by adapting to new political circumstances.
- Montenegro is striving for balance in its identity politics by building a civic state where every individual's rights are protected by the constitution and law.
- Stable relations between Montenegro and Serbia depend on mutual respect and the acceptance of Montenegro's sovereignty.