Minorities in the EU integration process

Montenegro’s accession path towards the EU as well as the official starting of negotiation process between Montenegro and European Union started on 29 June 2012. Round table discussion, organised by the Ministry for Human and Minority rights in cooperation with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integrations, Office of the chief negotiator accessed the importance of EU membership and the role of minorities in the integration process.

Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Suad Numanović opened the meeting welcoming the students from the Gymnasium "Slobodan Skerović“, as well as the other invited guests and participants. He underscored that every democratic society pays much attention to respecting and protecting human and minority rights, paying special attention on the position of minorities in the society. The role of government is crucial for facilitating position of minorities in the whole society. In Montenegro, minorities are an integral part of society. As such, they enjoy full protection in terms of legislation, as well as within the institutions that represent their rights. The institutions and organizations dealing with this issue are obliged to give their full contribution to this area.

Historical perspective on Montenegro as a multinational, multi-ethnic, multireligious and multicultural country was given by Professor Vesna Kovacević, Professor and Advisor of the President of Montenegro, Ph.D. Sonja Tomovic Šundić and Representative of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, Barbara Rotovnik.

Participants of the second panel were Sabrija Vulic, president of Council of the Muslim people of Montenegro, Marin Čaveliš representative of the Croatian National Council, Mohammed Uković, vice president of the Roma Council and Miodrag Radović, Secretary of the negotiation group.

 
Children enriched their knowledge about relevant inputs related to the EU integration process, position of the minorities in the society in Montenegro, as well as about the principles on equality.

"We will move towards the EU faster or slowly, but all together. Montenegro, being young in restauration of independence did a lot of things successfully. When we talk about minorities, I would like to emphasise that cooperation with all national communities is at a high level of mutual respect.  The agenda of human rights in general, implying minority rights, gives no time for a break ", said the Minister.

Ministry for Human and Minority Rights