Montenegro denies conducting anti-Russian policy

Montenegro denies conducting anti-Russian policy

PODGORICA -- The Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed as "inappropriate" and "arbitrary" the criticism the country received from the Russian Federation.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said the statements made by Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Đukanović during his visit last week to the Unites States were "hostile" and "deeply disappointing."

"Everything that the prime minister stated publicly and in his talks with U.S. officials is in accordance with the national interests of Montenegro and its foreign policy orientation toward NATO and EU membership, and is not anti-Russian in tone," said the Montenegrin ministry.

Podgorica also "expressed confidence that relations and cooperation between the two countries will continue to grow in the spirit of centuries of tradition, and the sovereign right of each state to decide on its domestic development and foreign policy priorities."

The statement denied that Montenegro had introduced sanctions against Russia, saying that "in line with the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU, it joined sanctions against the former president of Ukraine and members of his regime."

Russia's strongly-worded reaction was prompted by Đukanović's statements related to the expansion of NATO.

"From the mouth of the Montenegrin prime minister calls were heard in the capital of the United States for as speedy as possible accession of Montenegro to NATO. In his address, Milo Đukanović also allowed for hostile statements at the expense of Russia, which in combination with Montenegro joining EU's sanctions against Russia caused deep disappointment," said the...