The former Foreign Minister of Montenegro, Miodrag Vlahović, claims that the global community remains largely unaware of the systemic treatment Albanians faced under Serbian rule throughout the 20th century.
In a recent analysis of regional history and current affairs, Vlahović argued that since 1912, Serbia has demonstrated a persistent inability—and a lack of political will—to integrate Albanians or treat them as equal citizens. This historical exclusion, he suggests, is the root cause of the subsequent conflicts and geopolitical shifts in the Balkans.
A “Deliberate Political Silence”
Vlahović highlighted what he describes as a “deliberate political silence” concerning the historical reality of the region. He noted that this ignorance extends across several eras:
- Pre-WWII Era: The initial period of Serbian expansion and administration starting in 1912.
- Communist Era and Beyond: The later developments that shaped modern perceptions within Serbia and Montenegro.
He criticized nationalist and “Greater Serbian” ideologies for continuing to distort historical interpretations, effectively blocking a clear understanding of the long-term grievances held by the Albanian population.
Montenegro’s Pivot Post-1999
Reflecting on the period following the NATO intervention in 1999, Vlahović detailed how Montenegro began to distance itself from Belgrade’s policies toward Pristina. Under the leadership of Milo Đukanović, Montenegro sought a new, more neutral path.
“We stated that Kosovo was not our problem and that we had no place at that table,” Vlahović remarked.
He emphasized that Montenegro’s primary interest was a peaceful, democratic resolution that respected the rights of all communities—a stance that often faced internal and external pressure but remained a cornerstone of their distancing from the Milošević-era legacy.
The Impact on Modern Discourse
According to Vlahović, the failure to acknowledge these historical truths continues to impact how Serbia and Montenegro perceive their neighbors today. By neglecting the decades of institutionalized inequality, he argues, contemporary political forces find it easier to propagate nationalist narratives that hinder regional reconciliation.
