PM Krivokapić meets with US Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić met with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs and Special Representative to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar on the sidelines of the Delphi Economic Forum.

The two officials discussed the current situation in the Western Balkans and noted the possibility of the Ukrainian crisis spilling over into the region.

Speaking about the internal political situation, Prime Minister Krivokapić emphasised that it is unsustainable and expressed doubt in the possibility of forming a minority government, because it would consist of parties that show ideological differences.

Forming such a government, he said, would be a violation of the will of the people expressed in the last elections, and could lead to unrest in Montenegro.

Due to that unnatural agreement, all ethical principles are broken, and when there are no principles, then everything is allowed, Krivokapić explained.

The toppling of the expert government, said the Prime Minister, resulted in a political and institutional crisis, adding that the timing of government collapse is no coincidence but happened after the adoption of the Budget, the "Europe Now" programme and, most importantly, after the cocaine seizure.

Speaking about the Ukrainian crisis, the Prime Minister said that the elections in Berane clearly showed that this tragedy is also being used to strengthen the position of corrupt and profiteering nationalist forces.

In addition, a practice that had been common for three decades was seen again, which is probable vote buying in Ulcinj.

He emphasised that the elections are the only democratic and honorable way out of the current political crisis, pointing to the young forces that he hopes will, by entering politics, return ethics to politics. As expert ministers, they have shown that they have the knowledge and enthusiasm to change things, and real change, he claims, comes, first and foremost, through economic reforms that raise standards of living.

Only in this way is it possible to defeat the 1990s politicians.

Escobar strongly supported the efforts of the Government of Montenegro in the fight against corruption, adding that Montenegro is an important partner of NATO and that he believes that our country will continue to cherish common values. In that regard, he emphasised that it is important that Montenegro supports the Ukrainian people and that he believes that the decision on full sanctions against Russia will be made soon.