On a proposal from the National Council of Albanians in Montenegro, the government of that country has approved the use of the Albanian national flag. The Montenegrin government has also approved the use of the Albanian national anthem and November 28 as a national holiday for Albanians in that country.

The use of national symbols by minorities in Montenegro posed an ongoing problem and was the subject of debate between Albanian political forces and Montenegrin officials. This has been subject to much controversy, therefore the Montenegrin government in November last year approved a draft law on national symbols proposed by the Ministry of Human Rights.

Under the Montenegrin law on public order, a citizen who publicly displayed a flag, coat of arms or symbol of another state without authorization was fined 100 to 500 euros or sentenced to up to 30 days in prison. Courts in Montenegro punished many Albanians in Tuz or Ulcinj for using the Albanian flag.

/Klara Ruci/