EC On Montenegro Barring Dozens of Serbian Citizens from Entry: Mutual Respect, Dialogue Necessary

European Commission (Photo: European Commission/Lukasz Kobus)

After Montenegro barred dozens of Serbian citizens from entering the country citing security reasons, the European Commission pointed out on June 5 that mutual respect and dialogue are necessary at a time when the European Union-Western Balkans summit stresses the importance of regional cooperation and neighborly relations.

We noted the decision of the Montenegrin authorities to ban a certain number of persons from Serbia from entry for security reasons in line with national legislation, the EC said in a response to N1 TV, adding that, at a time when the EU-Western Balkans summit stresses the importance of regional cooperation and neighborly relations, mutual respect and dialogue are necessary.

On June 3, Montenegrin authorities denied entry to 87 Serbian citizens who arrived in Tivat from Belgrade on a charter flight. The Podgorica daily Vijesti reported that the Serbian Progressive Party has been hiring these individuals for "special missions" in recent years. There is currently only speculation about the motives and purpose of their trip to Montenegro.

The Serbian authorities responded with stepped-up border control and detaining Montenegrin citizens for hours at border crossings, banning some from entering the country.