Commenting on the impact of the war in the Middle East and the consequences that it has on Montenegro, Turković noted that we are an import-dependent country.
"All this inflationary impression, or the pressure that whatever is happening unfavorably in the world, whether it's energy or other things, like wars, is definitely implied in our country and we should all be aware of that," he said.
Turković: We cannot become an exporting, or rather less importing, country overnight
He emphasizes that we cannot change overnight to become an export-oriented, or less import-dependent, country.
"Criticism is good if it is constructive, but what is happening in Montenegro? When the small increase in fuel prices started, it is currently almost the lowest in the region, and at that moment when the conflict in the Middle East started, it was the lowest in the region. You had a liter of diesel at 1.34e. When the talk started that there would be a small increase in prices, you had constant pressure from the public and everyone in the country that the government needed to do something," Turković emphasized.
Ističe da je došlo do dvonedjeljnog usklađivanja cijena i do toga da treba da se uveća cijena za 17 centi.
"When the price reached 1.51e, we were almost at the lowest price in the region. The government acted correctly, it did not cause panic. Suddenly there was a great evolution on the stock markets and there was a big increase in the price of a barrel, from 70 to 120 dollars," said Turković.
Turković: We need to know what the measure of the possible is
Cijene na berzama se svakodnevno mijenjaju, napominje on i kaže da ne možete reagovati u momentu, već se pravi plan kako i što.
"When the price was supposed to increase by 31 cents, the state responded by reducing excise duties by 50 percent, which resulted in the price per liter of fuel decreasing by 27 cents. It is important to know that an increase in fuel prices cannot immediately cause inflation. An inflationary spiral cannot be started quickly," he points out.
Turković notes that in 2020 we started with an average salary of 500 euros, a minimum salary of 222 euros, and a minimum pension of 147 euros.
"I know that every citizen wants better and must do better, but we must know what the measure of the possible is. We cannot deal with salaries of 2, 3 thousand euros, or pensions of a thousand. How much have we done since 2020 with the Europe Now 1 and 2 programs. We had a GDP half what it is now. Our income is a billion higher than in 2020 and the entire economy has been launched.
Čapuni: We have certain price fluctuations in markets, but also stable prices for basic groceries
University professor and Albanian Alliance MP Ilir Čapuni He pointed out that there is a subjective feeling that the purchasing power of the population has been reduced in every respect.
"However, we can notice that we have a certain fluctuation in prices in the markets, but also stable prices of basic foodstuffs. We have never had golden times and we cannot compare the 1990s with the current circumstances. Mathematics cannot be presented in the way that Mr. Turković presented it, but things should be viewed more holistically and broadly," Čapuni underlined.
You can see more of the show "Special" on our YouTube channel.
