Montenegro Seeks ‘Fraternal’ Serbia’s Friendship Despite Diplomatic Feud

Montenegrin PM Zdravko Krivokapic on the press conference in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Krivokapic also called again on Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic to visit Montenegro and show good will for cooperation.

"It is not a question of who will welcome the Prime Minister of Serbia. The question is will she find time to come and greet all those who would like to see her in Montenegro, because she is the Prime Minister of fraternal and neighbouiring Serbia," Krivokapic told the news agency MINA.

"Our people should not be faced with … technical questions about whether the Prime Minister [of Serbia] will be welcomed by the [Serbian] charge d'affaires or the ambassador. In that formal sense, there is someone to welcome her," Krivokapic added.

Krivokapic first called on Brnabic to visit Montenegro on December 29 last year, but there has been response yet from Belgrade.

On Sunday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic urged Montenegro to withdraw the decision on the expulsion, saying the ambassador should stay in post, in case Brnabic does visit Montenegro.

"People ask why Ana [Brnabic] did not accept the invitation. If she's going to Podgorica, who will be waiting for her at the airport? Is our ambassador waiting for her or not? Or did you [Montenegro] expel him, and you have not yet said whether you agree with the decision of [Montenegrin President] Milo Djukanovic who expelled him," Vucic told Nova.rs.

Vucic referenced the previous government of Montenegro, led by Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, which declared Bozovic persona non grata last November, citing his allegedly unacceptable statements about Montenegrin history and statehood.

Montenegrins remain fiercely divided over whether...