Reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: More frequent negative rhetoric of Serbia is not in the spirit of good neighboring relations

Montenegro has defined good neighboring and regional cooperation as one of the key bases of our foreign policy. That is, bearing in mind size of our state, as well as geographical area, the national interest of all its citizens that overcomes framework of any Government and represents long-term goal to which all political parties and actors should seek. After establishing the new Government, as one of our priorities, we defined the need for improvement of relations with all neighbors, particularly with Serbia – in addition to that speaks sincere wish of Prime Minister Krivokapić to host Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, call of Minister Radulović to Minister Selaković in first week of the mandate, as well as many visits of our ministers to the Republic of Serbia. Yet, it is impossible to close eyes in the front of disturbing rhetoric and media headings that are directed against Prime Minister Krivokapić and Government of Montenegro, from very start. Serbian state leadership has participated in this, using unpleasant vocabulary such as “whims”, ministers in their government, as well as low rate officials of the SNS, that use terminology that absolutely does not suit to the spirit of good neighborhood, on daily basis.

Zdravko Krivokapić is not only Prime Minister of one independent state, but also eminent university professor. Not respecting his social status and almost rude communication, speaks more about people that are offending him, not to speak about interference in internal affairs of other state – Montenegro, member of the UN, NATO, that is farthest along in the EU negotiations. We take as unacceptable for anyone, and Serbia also, to have paternalism relation towards our country, its Prime Minister and Government. This even more because in the last six months, this Government, nor its Prime Minister, have not done any step that could justify this approach and rhetoric that is, at the least, undiplomatic. On the contrary, from the very start of this Government mandate, during the all meetings the commitment for improving relations with Serbia has been conveyed.

Montenegro is state of all its citizens, no matter how they express nationally – it belongs to everyone. All citizens are equally constitutive, because each of them has, during the history, someone with sward, someone with knowledge, someone with acts – unconditionally and unforgettably give itself to Montenegro. Our Montenegro. Therefore, right and only address for overcoming eventual problems and achieving of full rights of all citizens is Government of Montenegro and Montenegrin state. We do not have luxury to renounce one single person. On the contrary, we strive for social inclusion of all citizens. So, any “appropriation” of 30 % of our citizens is inappropriate, and could be considered as interference in internal issues of one sovereign state.

We are thankful to the citizens of Serbia for donating vaccines, as state that has first helped to Montenegro. During the history, Montenegro has done the same for Serbia. That is something that friends do, even if there are different interpretations of specific topics. Montenegro is ready, with great pleasure, to assist Serbia in all those areas where it is recognized as frontrunner in regional processes – EU integration, cooperation with the NATO in accordance with Serbia’s ambitions, and many others where we can learn from each other. That is the only manner for building equal and sincere relation, where there is no and could not be “the older one”. Mutual respect of sovereignty and independence, institutions and officials are the only relation on which further improvement of our relations is possible, in the spirit of good neighborhood, friendship and historical ties of our two countries.