Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, agreed to disagree over Podgorica’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence, but both leaders showed willingness to increase trust and the strength of the relationship in the future.
Vučić pointed out that “Serbia will not stand even in the shadow of Montenegro, and trust is being built for the future”.
After Sunday’s ceremonial reception at the Montenegrin House in Belgrade, Milatović said that, after visiting the European institutions and the NATO headquarters in Brussels, he was coming to Belgrade “to contribute to the revitalisation of political relations between the two countries.”
The Serbian and Montenegrin presidents also discussed the construction of highways and railways and the further energy connection between the two countries. There was also talk about Serbia’s interest in buying liquefied gas from the terminal in Bar.
It was also said that the ambassador of Serbia in Podgorica would be appointed in ten days and that Serbia would provide well-founded answers about the extradition of Svetozar Marović.
The topic of Montenegro’s recognition of Kosovo was also raised, something of a thorny issue between the two countries.
“For me, something else arises as a question. Why is it that in our relationships, we always look for a reason to blame the other side for disrespect? Have you thought about whether it hurts us that Montenegro recognised the illegal secession of part of the territory of the Republic of Serbia? “We were hurt when our ambassador in Podgorica was expelled, and there was no valid reason for that? Vučić said.
Milatović said that it is important for him to bring the situation in the north of Kosovo under control and to de-escalate.
“We sincerely support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and we want it to end to the benefit of both Belgrade and Pristina. I again appeal for de-escalation and welcome the efforts of Belgrade. I know that Vučić has done a lot to achieve de-escalation, but it takes two to tango “, Milatović said.
He added that the position of the EU and the dialogue within the platform presented by the EU are what Podgorica supports.
“There are topics where we do not have the same views, and of course, the issue of Kosovo is one of them. I think that in the coming period, Montenegro and Belgrade should approach the topics that distance us in a more meaningful way, putting themselves in the shoes of the other side and talking openly. You know that Montenegro recognised Kosovo’s independence in 2008. I think we must be human and politically literate enough to understand Serbia’s position regarding its view of what it says is part of its territory,” Milatović said.
(Milena Antonijević | EURACTIV.rs)
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