Montenegro and Serbia after Expulsion of Ambassadors

Vladimir Bozovic(BETAPHOTO/EMIL VAS/DS)

Unexpected Turn for the Worse

The formation of a new Montenegrin government, which will not include representatives of the until recently ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, led by President Milo Djukanovic, is accompanied by a rise in tensions in relations with Belgrade. Last week Montenegro expelled Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Bozovic because of the statements he had given, to which Serbia instantly responded by expelling Montenegrin Ambassador Tarzan Milosevic, and then less than 24 hours later withdrew that decision. European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi called for restraint and welcomed Belgrade’s decision, but Montenegro did not change its position and did not withdraw the decision to expel the Serbian ambassador.