Journalist: Serbia-Montenegro relations seriously damaged, recent events part of a wider political operation

Relations between Serbia and Montenegro have been seriously damaged in the last month, with recent events being part of a broader political maneuver, according to Vukasin Obradovic, editor of the 'Vijesti' daily and former president of the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS).

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relations between Montenegro and Serbia have been seriously damaged in the last month and that recent events, including the case in Tivat and the return of the charter flight from Belgrade, are part of a broader political operation

Obradovic told TV Nova S that incidents occurring just before the EU-Western Balkans Summit were an attempt to conceal the Serbian authorities' poor performance in the European integration process. He asserted that tensions between the two countries have been escalating for some time, and the wider political context is being overlooked. According to Obradovic, harsh statements and propaganda have contributed to this deterioration.

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the incidents on the eve of the EU-Western Balkans Summit were the result, as he claims, of an attempt to cover up the poor performance of the Serbian authorities in the European integration process

He further assessed that Serbia is lagging behind Montenegro, Albania, and other regional countries in its European integration efforts. Obradovic claims that authorities in Belgrade are attempting to divert public attention from this issue. In contrast, he noted that Montenegro is currently prioritizing its European path and its progress toward European Union membership.

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Serbia is lagging behind in the European integration process compared to Montenegro, Albania and other countries in the region, while the authorities in Belgrade, as he stated, are trying to divert public attention from that process

Obradovic's assessment highlights a significant strain on bilateral relations, suggesting that political strategies are exacerbating the situation and potentially hindering regional cooperation and progress toward EU accession for Serbia.

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Montenegro is currently focused on its European path and progress towards membership in the European Union