Serbia expresses concern over Montenegro's support for Kosovo

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is concerned about statements coming from Montenegro regarding support for Kosovo's independence and active lobbying for Pristina's membership in international organizations.

A day ago, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Ervin Ibrahimović, declared during an interview on RTV Montenegro that he would support Kosovo's membership in international organizations.

"Montenegro will provide clear support when the issue of whether Kosovo should be part of the European Union or the Council of Europe is raised," Ibrahimović declared.

Although some of the parties that are part of the ruling coalition in Montenegro do not recognize Kosovo's independence, Ibrahimović expressed his belief that this stance will not endanger the coalition, considering that Montenegro has clear priorities in foreign policy.

One of these priorities is good neighborly relations, said Ibrahimović.

"Montenegro is recognized by international partners as a country that cultivates good neighborly relations. Therefore, we will support our friendly state, Kosovo, because it is a foreign policy priority for it to be the next member of the European Union and this does not contradict our positions," he said.

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed the statements from Montenegro as "contrary to international law and the United Nations Charter, but also to good neighborly relations."

Through a statement, the Serbian Foreign Ministry called on neighbors, including Montenegro, to refrain from statements and actions that could "escalate tensions" and work to strengthen mutual trust.

"We believe it is essential to work towards maintaining positive relations, rather than supporting anti-Serb activities, further divisions and conflicts," the statement said.

Montenegro recognized Kosovo's independence in 2008, when Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) was in power, which lost the elections in August 2020 to the pro-Serb and pro-Russian Democratic Front (DF), the Democrats, and the URA Movement.

The recognition of Kosovo's independence sparked protests and street clashes by the then-opposition, made up of pro-Serb parties led by the Democratic Front, which is now part of the governing majority in Montenegro.

The Democratic Front parties, which have since disbanded, hold two deputy prime minister posts and three ministers in the government. Their leader, Andrija Mandic, politically close to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, heads the Montenegrin Parliament.

Their foreign policy goals include lifting sanctions on Russia, withdrawing Montenegro from NATO, and reversing the recognition of Kosovo's independence.

They claim that Kosovo is occupied Serbian territory and call it a “quasi-state.”
Kosovo submitted its application for membership to the Council of Europe in May 2022.

In Montenegro, the ruling party is the Europe Now Movement of Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, along with the Democrats, the parties of the former Democratic Front, the Bosniak Party and the Albanian Forum. /REL/

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