Montenegro’s Minister of Public Administration, Marash Dukaj, has criticized the Municipality of Pljevlja over its declaration concerning Kosovo, saying the move does not contribute to Montenegro’s European future and risks undermining the country’s good-neighborly relations.
In a post on X, Dukaj said municipal councilors had assumed constitutional and legal responsibilities that fall outside their authority, stressing that issues of foreign policy are not within the competence of local governments.
“The declaration of the Municipality of Pljevlja, which addresses the issue of Kosovo, is not a contribution to Montenegro’s European future. It is not appropriate for the municipal councilors of Pljevlja to assume constitutional and legal powers that do not belong to them,” Dukaj wrote.
While emphasizing his support for democracy and freedom of expression, Dukaj said these principles should not come at the expense of Montenegro’s relations with neighboring countries.
“Although I support democracy and the freedom to express opinions in all spheres of society, this should not be done by undermining good-neighborly relations, which are one of Montenegro’s key strategic objectives,” he added.
Calls for Focus on Citizens Rather Than Political Ideology
Dukaj urged local politicians in Pljevlja to prioritize the needs of residents instead of promoting what he described as regional and particular political ideologies.
“Pljevlja and its politicians owe citizens better living conditions, a healthier environment, and sustainable development, rather than placing regional and particular political ideologies at the forefront—ideologies that are not in the interest of today’s Montenegro,” the minister stated.
His remarks came in response to a declaration adopted by the Municipality of Pljevlja concerning Kosovo, a move that has drawn criticism from officials who argue that local authorities should focus on municipal responsibilities rather than issues of national foreign policy.
