8 hours agoMontenegro, Serbia expel ambassadors of each other
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)The government in Montenegro's move has declared Serbia's ambassador an unwanted person (non grata) and has asked him to leave the state, the Foreign Ministry announced on November 28th. Serbia has responded several hours later by announcing Montenegro's ambassador, as well as unwanted persons and [...]
The government in Montenegro's move has declared Serbia's ambassador an unwanted person (non grata) and has asked him to leave the state, the Foreign Ministry announced on November 28th.
Serbia has responded a few hours later by announcing Montenegro's ambassador, as well as unwanted and being expelled from the state.
Montenegro's Foreign Ministry has cited the “continuing interventions in Montenegro's internal affairs” as the reason for taking that decision.
In the Foreign Ministry's statement, Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Bozovic “has shown direct disrespect to” for Montenegro, describing the 1918 decision to join the Serbia-dominated Kingdom world as a “act of liberation” and <x4-volunteer free” from Montenegrins.
Montenegro's Parliament has declared this decision invalid in 2018, saying it has stripped Montenegro of its sovereignty.
In the statement it is said Bozovic's comments on November 27th have been “inappropriate with the standards of diplomatic office”.
Serbia's Foreign Ministry has announced mutual answers.
“> due to Serbia's ambassador's proclamation to Montenegro, Vladimir Bozovic, an unwanted person, Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acted reciprocally”, is said in the ministry's statement.
State media have reported that Montenegrin Ambassador Tarzan Milosevic has been asked to leave Serbia within 72 hours.
Montenegro continues to be deeply divided among the people seeking ties with traditional allies Serbia and Russia, as well as those who see Montenegro as an independent state, linked to the West.
Montenegro and Serbia have been part of a joint state until the 2006 independence referendum was held, resulting in Montenegro's partition from Serbia.
This state will now be led by a pro-Serbian coalition, expected to be voted in during the parliamentary session next week.
The strongest coalition party is the Democratic Front.
However, its partners insist that Montenegro continue its pro-Western path.
This change has left President Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists out of power for the first time in nearly 30 years.
His party, which was defeated in August, has led the state towards independence from Serbia and towards NATO in 2017.
