Abazović, Gjonaj: It is important that our diaspora spends summer holidays in Montenegro

Diaspora is important for Montenegro in many ways, and the claim that Montenegrin citizenship will be taken away from our emigrants is completely untrue, said Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović during a zoom meeting with New York City Council Member Mark Gjonaj.

Speaking about the position of minority people in Montenegro, and especially about the position of the Albanian people, DPM Abazović and Gjonaj stated that the poor economic situation, in municipalities where minorities predominantly live, has caused their mass emigration.

Speaking about the activities and efforts of the Government of Montenegro so far, Deputy Prime Minister Abazović emphasised the need and intention of the Government for more dispersive investment in municipalities, pointing to the municipalities which have been neglected for years. In that context, the Deputy Prime Minister reminded that the Municipality of Ulcinj had an investment of about € 1 per capita from the last year's capital budget, while the Municipality of Gusinje had about € 3 per capita, which speaks volumes about their position, bearing in mind that other municipalities had hundreds of euros of investment per capita.

During the exchange of opinions on the diaspora and the way in which the Government of Montenegro and emigrants can cooperate most constructively, DPM Abazović expressed respect for the assistance that emigrants provide to Montenegro and pointed out that they are Montenegrin ambassadors abroad who worthily represent their country.

When it comes to the natural and tourist potentials of the municipalities of Ulcinj and Tuzi, DPM Abazović spoke with Gjonaj about the preparations for the summer tourist season and the importance it currently has for Montenegro, emphasising that it is extremely important that our diaspora spends summer holidays in Montenegro.