Outline of Montenegro

The young athlete fell ill while on international duty with Montenegro

BIRN asked four prominent figures and experts to assess Montenegro's achievements in the 15 years since regaining its independence, and why the country remains so divided:

Predrag Bulatovic, MP of the pro-Serbian Democratic Front and former leader of the now-defunct Unionist bloc that opposed independence:

Vijesti reported that it was announced from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro.

In terms of trade, investment and diplomacy, relations between Israel and Serbia and Montenegro are picking up.

Economic and trade relations appear set to grow between Turkey and Montenegro after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu visited Podgorica on Monday and Tuesday, showing Turkey's increasing interest in the tiny Adriatic country.

Markovic added that such an idea cannot be accepted in Montenegro.

The Defense and Security Council of Montenegro has sent at least 40 members of its Armed Forces of Montenegro to Kosovo and Afghanistan as part of NATO 'peacekeeping' missions, participating with the possibility of rotation.

Montenegro is an example that a state should not be a toy and that those who lead it must not treat it that way, says Tomislav Nikolic.

The Serbian president told Sputnik that Montenegro "should not be compared to Serbia - which has its own interests, rights and centuries-old friendships."

BELGRADE - Serbia's Minister of Economy Zeljko Sertic has said after a meeting with his counterpart from Montenegro Vladimir Kavaric that Montenegrin companies are interested in taking part in privatisation in Serbia.

Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic, on Tuesday said Serbia wanted only the best for Montenegro - and hoped it would join the European Union as soon as possible.