President’s Office: „Kotor City Swimming Pool“ would have been a more natural choice, wording on the Morinj memorial plaque raises questions about Montenegro’s approach to the past
In response to decisions adopted by the Government of Montenegro concerning two outstanding issues in relations with Croatia, the Office of Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović stated that the name “Kotor City Swimming Pool” would have been a more natural and appropriate choice, while the wording on the memorial plaque in Morinj raises questions about Montenegro’s approach to the past.
The name of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, one of the most significant symbols of Montenegrin spirituality, statehood and the tradition of the struggle for freedom, should not, as the Office noted, be a subject of disputes over the names of sports facilities.
- Njegoš’s name and legacy deserve special reverence and to be treated with dignity. If changing the swimming pool’s previous name in Kotor was necessary, we believe that „Kotor City Swimming Pool“ would have been a more natural and appropriate choice - the President’s Office stated.
It added that the subsequent approval of the memorial plaque in Morinj, while retaining its existing wording, raises questions about Montenegro’s approach to the past.
- The crimes committed in Morinj have been established by court rulings, and the victims and their families deserve respect and dignified remembrance. For precisely this reason, we believe that the wording of the memorial plaque should have been more carefully formulated, with a clear focus on the people involved and respect for their dignity, while avoiding expressions that are subject to political interpretations and could further deepen divisions - the statement emphasised.
The Office believes that Montenegro needs the best possible relations with Croatia, open and honest dialogue with all its neighbours, and the fastest possible progress towards membership in the European Union.
- However, good-neighbourly relations must be based on mutual respect, respect for the dignity of both countries, and the consistent application of principles that apply equally to all. Montenegro’s path towards EU membership entails building trust, but also a willingness to discuss sensitive issues responsibly and openly, without applying a selective approach - the Office of the President of Montenegro stated.
Good relations with neighbouring countries and progress towards EU membership, the Office concluded, should be founded on mutual respect, sincere dialogue, and a consistent approach to the past and to the dignity of all victims.