Hoti meets the Minister for Human and Minority Rights in Montenegro

10.04.2017

During a two-day official visit to Montenegro, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Rexhep Hoti, today had a meeting with the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Mr. Mehmed Zenka (Albanian Democratic Union), who was accompanied by Deputy Minister Leon Gjoka (PDS).

The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere where they talked about the space that freedoms occupy and human rights and national minorities in both countries, as precious values upon which our strategic cooperation is built for the future.

Minister Mehmed Zenka, unveiled the ministry's position that he represents in the Montenegrin government and the role of minorities and human rights in Montenegro. He focused with particular emphasis on the promotion of the rights and freedoms of Albanians in Montenegro, at all institutional levels, in all private and public sectors. He expressed the firm position that only in a few months governance, this government is doing more for Albanians in Montenegro than years ago.

Deputy Minister Hoti thanked Minister Zenka for the warm reception and cooperation between the two countries, with special emphasis on the possibility of enhancing cooperation in the field of culture, youth and sports.

He informed the minister Zenka that the institution he represents is willing to enhance cooperation with the government of Montenegro, especially after the signing of the Bilateral Agreement of Cultural Cooperation between MCYS and the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro, which is expected to happen very soon.

On the other hand, Minister Zenka informed Deputy Minister Hoti for the work done on amending the Law on the rights and freedoms of minorities in Montenegro, where it is also foreseen the formalization of minority languages in all municipalities where they constitute 5% of the population . This percentage is taken into account separately for the Albanians, because such a quota of percentage exclusively favors them.

Under this bill, which was passed by the government in parliament, Albanian language, except in Ulcinj, Tuzi and Plava, is expected to become an official language in Rozhajë and Bar. In a sign of respect and gratitude for the advancement of national minority issues in Montenegro, Minister Zenka gave to Deputy Minister Hoti a copy of the draft adopted in the Montenegrin government for minorities.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoti spoke about the possibility of cooperation in other fields of education, tourism and investment of cultural importnace, for which Minister Zenka asked that Kosovo investors be more present in coastal areas, as well as in depths of Malësia, where there are many opportunities for cultural tourism and tourism in general.

Deputy Minister Hoti also discussed about advancement of the Montenegrin community in Kosovo and informed minister Zenka that the Government of Kosovo has approved a five-year strategy for promotion and integration of the Montenegrin community, and is now working on implementing the plan which will help the community in all areas, up to financial support from the relevant ministries for employment and prosperity of the community in question.

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