High Commissioner on National Minorities welcomes Montenegro’s approach to national minorities and inter-ethnic relations

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov welcomed Montenegro’s approach to national minorities and inter-ethnic relations and discussed the authorities’ plans to manage diversity in society, during his visit to the country from 24 to 26 November 2021.

The High Commissioner discussed best practices in diversity governance and stressed the importance of responding to the needs of all communities in his meetings with Government interlocutors. He met with Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, Speaker of the National Assembly Aleksa Bečić, Foreign Minister Djordje Radulović, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vesna Bratić and Ministry of Justice and Human and Minority Rights State Secretary Bojan Božović.

He also highlighted the importance of policies and institutions that deal with matters related to national minorities in his meetings and discussed the participation of national minorities in public, political and socio-economic life and opportunities for inclusive education.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to strengthen our dialogue and I look forward to future exchanges with the authorities on ways to enhance social cohesion and the integration of Montenegro’s diverse society,” Abdrakhmanov said.

The High Commissioner took the opportunity to congratulate the authorities on Montenegro’s election to the Human Rights Council for 2022 to 2024, commending its clear signal on equality, good governance and human rights. “A foreign policy that emphasizes the importance of equal opportunities in diverse societies bodes well for social cohesion,” he said.

The High Commissioner also met with the presidents of several National Minority Councils to hear their views and concerns.