Knezevic: Recognition of Kosovo will no longer be valid in Zeta as of 12 May

President of the Democratic People’s Party of Montenegro, Milan Knezevic, stated that as of 12 May, when councilors of the local parliament in Zeta adopt the relevant document, the recognition of Kosovo will no longer be considered valid there.

Speaking to Novosti, Knezevic said he expects the same to happen in other municipalities where Serbs predominantly hold executive power.

“We want to demonstrate that the majority of citizens were and remain opposed to the recognition of the so-called Kosovo, and that the time has come to correct the greatest disgrace in the history of the Montenegrin people. We expect other municipalities in which representatives of the Serbian people predominantly exercise power to adopt declarations annulling the recognition of the so-called Kosovo, so that they may ultimately submit a resolution to the Parliament of Montenegro obliging the government of Milojko Spajic to reverse the decision made by the government of Milo Đukanovic in October 2008. Given that members of the ruling Europe Now Movement recently proclaimed Spajic the greatest Serb of the modern era, here is his opportunity to enter the most glorious pages of Montenegrin history by washing away the greatest shame,” Knezevic explained.

Responding to the observation that the derecognition of the “NATO creation on the territory of Serbia” had been expected following the fall of the DPS, and to the question of who bears responsibility, Knezevic said that, unfortunately, Montenegro’s accession to NATO had also been carried out without a referendum and amid an opposition boycott.

“And we were accused of an alleged coup d’état so that the entire process would take on the dimensions of a geopolitical conspiracy against Montenegro. What is certain is that support for Montenegro’s membership in NATO is below 50 percent, which best reflects the attitude of Montenegrin citizens toward this alliance. If you ask me who is to blame, I will answer with another question — who is not? The party I lead advocated military neutrality, and I still believe that this is the best security framework for a small state such as Montenegro, although I hope that the latest geopolitical upheavals in the world will not prove me wrong,” Knezevic pointed out.

Commenting on the fact that the Serbian national question in Montenegro remains unresolved, as well as issues relating to Kosovo, the Serbian language, citizenship, and the tricolor flag, and asked why this is so, he said that there have never been more Serbs in the government and parliament, nor more debates over who is the “greater” or “truer” Serb.

“Let me immediately relax everyone — I am the smallest Serb among them all, and I have no ambition to become the leader of the Serbian people in Montenegro. But all those who do have such ambitions, or who believe they best protect Serbian interests, now have a historic opportunity to realize the interests of Serbs in Montenegro by conditioning further support for Prime Minister Spajic on resolving the status of the Serbian language, flag, citizenship, and anthem. Then again, I do not believe the Prime Minister even needs to be pressured, because, as I repeat, he was recently proclaimed in Parliament to be the greatest Serb of the modern era. Absurd as it may sound, it is a good thing that Nikola Tesla and Mihajlo Pupin are no longer alive, otherwise Spajic would surpass even them in Serbdom,” Knezevic said.

Commenting on criticism from political opponents regarding his friendship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Knezevic stated that both the DPS and a dominant part of Spajic’s government are against Vucic.

“And what does that tell us? That there is no difference between them, ideologically or, I would say, even on a human level. It only took the beginning of the so-called colored revolution in Serbia for them in Montenegro to take up paint as well and place the bloody hand symbol on their social media profiles. I am someone who remembers 5 October and considers that date one of the darkest in Serbian history, from which the disintegration and destruction of our national being began. What we watched then, and what we are now seeing in Serbia, is an attempt to replay the Fifth of October, and it is my human and patriotic duty to oppose it,” the DNP leader added.

Speaking about the upcoming celebration of 20 years of Montenegro’s independence, Knezevic stressed that the country is experiencing an “identity crisis.”

“And not all of Montenegro is celebrating — one part is celebrating, while another believes there is no reason for any celebration. What I do know for certain is that Ricky Martin will have the greatest reason to celebrate, because he will reportedly be paid nearly two million euros. We are now looking into his family tree to see whether he has any connection to Montenegro,” Knezevic remarked.

He stressed that he would not celebrate Independence Day because, as he put it, he could not be hypocritical.

“I will not celebrate 21 May because I cannot be hypocritical and declare it the brightest day in Montenegro’s history when I do not believe that it is, which is why I voted in favor of preserving the common state. During those public holidays I will be in Zeta, where the idea of the common state won convincingly. And whoever wishes to celebrate — good luck to them,” Knezevic concluded.