Montenegro and Serbia Accusing Each Other of Disrupting Good Neighborly Relations

Photo: AI

The authorities in Podgorica and Belgrade on May 15 exchanged accusations of disrupting interstate and good neighborly relations, on the occasion of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's announcement that he will not attend a celebration of the 20th anniversary of Montenegro's  restored independence.

On May 14, Vucic said that he would be "spitting myself and my people in the face" if he attended "the glamorous celebration of Montenegro's secession" from Serbia.

The Montenegrin Foreign Ministry stated on May 15 that it is "unacceptable and politically irresponsible to attempt to present the jubilee of restoration of Montenegrin independence as an act against Serbia or the Serbian people," adding that "Vucic carries on with the rhetoric that does not contribute to good neighborly relations."

"We regretfully note that President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic also on the occasion of marking the jubilee of reinstatement of Montenegrin independence carries on with the rhetoric that does not contribute to good neighborly relations and mutual respect between two internationally recognized states," reads the ministry's statement posted on X.

The Serbian Foreign Ministry then accused the Montenegrin ministry of creating "an occasion for a public attack on the president of Serbia without any actual occasion or need, dealing an unnecessary blow to interstate relations."

In its statement, the Serbian ministry says that "President Vucic, by using his inalienable right to present his own opinion," did not utter a single bad word "at the expense of or in relation to Montenegro," but rather "presented a completely legitimate and in no way offensive opinion, that he does not wish to celebrate the separation of two close and brotherly states."

"We regretfully note that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro continues to resort to the rhetoric that does not contribute to the development of good neighborly relations and mutual respect between two internationally recognized, sovereign states," reads the statement from Belgrade.