Nikola Zirojević, Member of Parliament of Montenegro
Mr. Zirojević discusses challenges in national security, the role of institutions, and the path toward prosperity
Nikola Zirojević, one of the youngest Members of the Parliament of Montenegro, speaks about the values that guide his political work, the challenges of youth in politics, and the responsibilities of serving as Deputy Chair of the Security and Defence Committee. In this conversation, he reflects on Montenegro’s path toward European integration, the importance of stability and security, and the need for authenticity and openness in public life.
Mr Zirojević, as a Member of Parliament in the Parliament of Montenegro and a public political figure, how would you briefly describe today your political focus and the values that guide you in your parliamentary work?
The values of an independent, civic, European, Euro-Atlantic and antifascist Montenegro are the values that guide me personally, as well as the political entity I represent, in an ideological sense. If we reduce this to fully personal, and less political values, then these are honest and conscientious work in whatever position one may hold, openness towards everyone, immediate contact with citizens, and willingness to accept all forms of criticism and suggestions. I resolutely believe that these are values that are appreciated today and values that Montenegrin society requires, particularly when it comes to people who engage in politics and hold certain positions. In relation to this context, the focus is clear – Montenegro as a modern, civic society, in which there is room for everyone, regardless of one’s name or personal identity; Montenegro as a good neighbour to all, a reliable NATO partner, and Montenegro as the next member state of the European Union. Certainly, at the domestic level, my primary focus is on the economic empowerment of the individual, an improved standard of living for citizens, a safe society and prosperity in every sense, without neglecting any segment.
You are considered one of the younger Members of Parliament in Montenegro. Do you perceive youth in politics as an advantage, a challenge, or an additional responsibility, especially in a system long marked by continuity of the same political actors?
The most accurate and sincere answer would be – I perceive youth as a combination of everything you have mentioned. When we speak of energy, a desire for change, a desire to contribute and to improve society, as well as the fact that young people do not carry the burden of the past unlike our older colleagues, these are undoubtedly advantages. On the other hand, a lack of experience, not only professional but also life experience, can – though does not necessarily have to – represent a serious challenge for someone who enters the world of politics at a young age, a world that is often very harsh and unforgiving of mistakes. Finally, there is certainly an additional responsibility, because those of us who are not associated with anything negative and who are new or relatively new on the political scene are expected to deliver the most, in a positive sense. If we add to this the fact that we are a society long marked by the continuity of the same political actors, that responsibility becomes even greater.
You have been appointed Deputy Chair of the Security and Defence Committee, which also includes participation in the National Security Council. How do you perceive this responsibility, and which security-related issues do you consider a priority for Montenegro?
The fact that I have been elected Deputy Chair of the Security and Defence Committee, and consequently a member of the National Security Council, I perceive as the culmination of my work to date, as it truly is the most serious and responsible position I have held so far. Regardless of the fact that I am relatively young for politics and for this position, I believe that it would represent an equal honour and challenge even for much older colleagues with far more parliamentary experience than I have. However, given that security is an area to which I devote primary focus in my political engagement, this is a position to which I will dedicate myself with great commitment and passion, and I believe that the results of my work will also serve as an example, in line with such an approach. A fact on which Montenegrin society is generally in agreement is that the security situation in Montenegro is not satisfactory. Just as I have placed the individual at the centre of every role I have undertaken, I apply the same principle to the field of security. On the one hand, you have citizens who generally do not feel safe on Montenegrin streets for various reasons, and on the other hand you have members of the security sector who are largely understaffed and predominantly underpaid. Therefore, in order to improve the security situation in Montenegro, we must improve the status and standard of living of members of the security sector – the Police Directorate, the Armed Forces of Montenegro, and the National Security Agency. In parallel, we must improve their working conditions, as well as the reputation these officers enjoy within society. Only then can we expect full staffing of this sector, which will ultimately lead to a significantly higher level of overall security in Montenegro.
The process of European integration remains Montenegro’s strategic priority. From the parliamentary perspective, what do you consider to be the key challenges on the path towards EU membership, and what is the role of the legislative authority in restoring credibility to this process?
I believe that, at this moment, political instability represents the main challenge on Montenegro’s path towards the European Union. Everything else, I would say, is much more easily attainable. The fact is that the doors of the EU are today wide open to Montenegro and that, for the first time, if not greater, then at least an equal level of readiness and willingness exists on the part of official Brussels for us to become a member state, compared to our own. To such an extent that, I believe, they would even be willing to turn a blind eye to certain segments in which we may not fully meet expectations. However, if there is no political stability in Montenegro and no clearly expressed readiness of political elites for this country to become the next EU member state, I fear that this could cost us dearly. Therefore, I believe that for accession to the EU, Montenegro needs a stable, fully and genuinely European-oriented parliamentary majority. In your public appearances, you frequently emphasise the importance of the values upon which the European Union is founded.
In your opinion, to what extent are European standards of the rule of law and institutional accountability genuinely integrated into Montenegro’s political system today?
I believe that European standards of the rule of law and institutional accountability, as well as numerous other European standards, are not sufficiently integrated into the Montenegrin political and social system, nor into society as a whole. I see this as a serious problem. I am one of those politicians who do not consider Montenegro’s merely formal accession to the EU to be a particularly significant achievement. For me, far more important than formal accession itself are the reforms that we need to implement within our society and state apparatus. It is a fact that Montenegro has a considerable number of good and high-quality legislative solutions; it is also a fact that a significant number of these legislative solutions are fully or predominantly aligned with the requirements and expectations of our European partners. However, the discouraging fact is that these legislative solutions have not been implemented or enforced. For me, this must be the focus during this year and in the years to come, and I would rather wait an additional year or two for full membership if that would entail genuine and substantive implementation of reforms, than formally accede as soon as possible while being fundamentally unprepared for such accession.
It is well known that you have a strong personal connection to music and that you play the accordion, something you have spoken about publicly on several occasions. Does this space outside politics help you maintain a sense of balance, authenticity and connection with people, which politics often distances from the everyday lives of citizens?
Engaging in music, or any other form of art, implies creativity and authenticity. Therefore, I would say that this is indeed true – the fact that, in addition to engineering, for which I was educated, and politics, which I have been professionally engaged in for some time, I also pursue music as a hobby contributes to authenticity, maintaining a sense of balance and, certainly, a connection with people for whom politics is not particularly close. I believe this is very important, as for a long time there has been a prevailing perception in Montenegro of politicians being detached from citizens, and I strive to change that perception. It is best changed through example, by showing citizens that, apart from the different profession we practise, we are in fact entirely the same as they are. I endeavour to do this not only through music, but also through my everyday life and the way I live it.
Finally, what message do you consider most important for young people in Montenegro who approach politics with reservation or distrust, but are considering more active participation in public life?
I always tell young people that their participation in public life is of immense importance for themselves, for society as a whole, and for the state of Montenegro. I am aware that it is not easy to make the decision to “enter the ring”, because the fight is often dirty and goes beyond the boundaries of good taste. I am also aware of the fact that it is generally not opportune, because tomorrow, as a politically labelled individual, it becomes much more difficult to succeed in another profession if one grows tired of politics. Unfortunately, I am also aware of the fact that in Montenegro politics is generally treated as a “dirty” business. Precisely because I believe that Montenegrin politics needs as many clean individuals as possible, regardless of their political affiliation, I believe it is crucial that my generation, younger and future generations contribute as many capable and high-quality individuals as possible, so that this country may progress year after year and become a better place to live for all of us.