The reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the statement of Selaković: Serbs in Montenegro do not have any mother country other than the country of us all – Montenegro

Regarding statements of the Minister of Foreign affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković about alleged endangerment of the interests of the Serbian people in Montenegro, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decisively rejects listed remarks.

Instead of facing domestic and international challenges, the official Belgrade probably opposite from the will of its citizens often deals with the Government of Montenegro and its citizens.

The constant will of the officials to talk about the “legitimate right” and to worry about 30% of our citizens, representing Serbia as their mother country is incomprehensible.

In this context, it is only correct to understand and accept that citizens of Montenegro who identify as Serbs, are loyal, full-fledged, and respected citizens and that their only mother country can be Montenegro. Any different approach is unacceptable and it carries an admixture of questionable political ethics

That means that all our citizens who identify as Serbs, do not have other mother country then Montenegro - the country of us all. Its Government and institutions are the only address for them. Our country does not want to renounce not one single person, let alone 30% of Serbs which are an indispensable foundation of our country.

Summarizing, the speech that implies reference to historical “facts” like a statement that “Montenegro is a toponym that exists since the 14^th century, which carries an admixture of pejorative and insulting relations, and interpretation of decisions of the sovereign state of Montenegro under studio spotlights, is not a measure of a  good neighborly politics and the art of negotiations, which is a duty and an obligation that is carried by a function of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

At the same time, we invite Minister Selaković to bring up all questions of common interest, doubts, and disagreement in direct communication with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović, as it suits the two neighboring countries and important state functions which imply responsibility and work in the interest of our peoples.

We remind that the head of Montenegrin diplomacy at the beginning of his term sent an invitation to Minister Selaković to visit Montenegro, this represents a clear signal of our readiness for dialogue and finding a solution about certain bilateral questions, as well as a willingness to, in spite of certain disagreements, find the dots that connect us, not divide us.

The policy of this Government is a „zero problems doctrineʺ with all our neighbors in the region, which we will decisively continue to implement because it is in our interest to develop friendly and good bilateral relations, based on the principles of independence, mutual respect, and non-mixing in internal affairs. In that sense, we wish relations based on a level of systems, close and content cooperation regardless of the governing structure. Montenegro is a civil and multiethnic state, which is dedicated to the construction of civil society, as well as respect and preservation of peculiarity of different nations, religions, and culture.

It is not in our interest to encourage divisions, tensions, and interpretations of history, but firm commitment to work on concrete questions which reflect on the everyday life of citizens, above all on economic recovery in the post-pandemic period, strengthening interstate connections, attracting of investments, and constructing better society for all those who live in Montenegro, at the same time creating a favorable and attractive ambiance for all of those who come to our country.