PM Marković: Although minority peoples have repeatedly confirmed their commitment to country, I am always ready to talk about improving situation

"The government has consistently advocated the full affirmation of the rights of minority peoples and other minority national communities. The institutions of the state of Montenegro will remain the guarantor of full enjoyment of minority rights established by the Constitution and laws. On the other hand, with the improvement of legal solutions in cooperation with the Parliament, we are committed to continuously improving the conditions for a dignified life and the work of minority communities "- said Prime Minister Duško Marković answering the question of Vice President of the Parliament Genci Nimanbegu on what the Government is doing in the field of the promotion of the rights of minorities and minority national communities.

The Prime Minister said that, although Montenegro is an example of a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional harmony and the country in which minority nations repeatedly, unquestionably and in times of great challenges, have confirmed their commitment to our country, it is always the right moment and he is always ready to talk about opportunities for improving the conditions for respecting the rights of minority peoples and other minority national communities in Montenegro, as defined in Article 79 of the Constitution.

In this context, Prime Minister Marković reminded that, the Fund for the Protection and Realization of Minority Rights was reformed and the functioning of the Center for Preservation and the Development of the Cultures of National Minorities and the Council of Minority Peoples and Other Minority National Communities were improved by amendments to the umbrella regulation - the Law on Minority Rights and Freedoms, which were adopted during the mandate of the 41st Government.

"Also significant funds are allocated for the work of institutions that primarily deal with minority rights, so in figures it looks like this ... In the budget, at least 0.15% of the current budget is allocated to the functioning of the Fund for Protection and the Realization of Minority Rights. The total planned budget of the Fund for 2019 is about EUR 1 360 000. From this amount up to 30% is allocated for the Fund's work, while the rest of the funds are allocated for project financing. Furthermore, funds amounting to at least 0.05% of the current budget and this year it amounted to EUR 600,000, is allocated to councils of the functioning and realization of program contents. And the budget of the Center for the Preservation and Development of the Cultures of national Minorities this year has recorded an increase of around 5% compared to the previous year, thus amounting to more than EUR 300,000 this year" - the Prime Minister said.


PHOTO: PM's Question Session