Mojanoski: Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Balkan states have been constantly returning to the past

University professor from Skopje, Cane Mojanoski, assesses that the recently adopted Resolution on Jasenovac in the Montenegrin Assembly should be interpreted through the broader picture in which Balkan states, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, have been constantly returning to the past and that the history of the last 100 years is a favorite topic of politicians.

"In the Balkans over the last 100 years, perhaps even longer, history has been a favorite topic of many political and state structures. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the redefinition of the geostrategic positions agreed upon in 1944, there is a need for the independent Balkan states to constantly return to the past. The past is used as a good opportunity to open certain issues as much as possible when addressing their own public, regardless of the discomfort and disturbance it may cause to neighbors who feel affected for any reason," Mojanoski says.

He adds that the redefinition of events from World War II has also contributed to this, emphasizing that historical events are once again being used for political purposes.

"In the political agendas of many state and party leaders in the Balkans, the culture of memory is instrumentalized for political or party purposes. In this context, we can consider that this resolution is more intended for the ruling structures in Montenegro than for the interests of the state itself," Mojanoski emphasizes.

He does not exclude the possibility that the resolution is a "message" to the electorate in Montenegro but also a response to the Resolution on Srebrenica.

"It should be noted that the Resolution can also be seen as an attempt to relativize the UN Resolution on Srebrenica, which is also in the interest of one of the Balkan nations. In this sense, the reactions of the Croatian state or Croatian structures should probably be viewed as a way to point out the unnecessary nature of raising this issue," Mojanoski says.

When asked whether this resolution will further deteriorate relations in the region, he jokingly responds that it has been possible even with a song.

"In the Balkans, if you sing a certain song, it will be enough of a reason to open some of the issues related to the creation of great states, leading to nationalist and various other interpretations of history and the position of groups or individuals in the Balkans," Mojanoski explains.

He concludes that North Macedonia, which has good relations with all the countries of the Western Balkans, should insist that historical events are not used to further worsen or disrupt relations in the region.

"Such a reaction can only be an additional motive for those who are inspired to push the Balkans into a powder keg position and intensify those activities. Let us hope that Macedonia will, in this context, follow its own goals and interests and support those efforts that lead to mutual understanding and respect in the Balkans and among its neighbors," Mojanoski emphasizes.