Montenegro, Serbia share close ties; citizens' needs above political friction, says president

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic highlighted the deep-rooted connections between Montenegro and Serbia, emphasizing that shared history, economic interdependence, and familial bonds necessitate prioritizing citizens' needs above political disputes. In an interview with NIN weekly, Milatovic pointed to robust economic indicators as proof of their mutual reliance, noting Serbia's significant investments in Montenegro and the crucial role of Serbian tourists in the country's tourism sector.

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economic indicators best confirm how mutually reliant the two countries are.

Milatovic advocated for a higher level of political responsibility in managing bilateral relations, suggesting that a "reset" is not a singular action but an ongoing process built on mutual trust. He acknowledged the expectations of citizens for stable and predictable relations, underscoring the pervasive influence of family ties, friendships, culture, and daily life that link the two nations.

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Citizens rightly expect more from us. They expect relations between Serbia and Montenegro to be stable and predictable.

Addressing concerns about potential Serbian influence on Montenegro's internal politics, Milatovic firmly stated that each country independently manages its affairs. He asserted that good relations are founded on dialogue, respect, and equality, and any deviation from this principle, regardless of its origin, moves the countries away from citizens' expectations.

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Good relations between Montenegro and Serbia rest on a clear principle: each state independently manages its internal affairs, while building cooperation with its neighbors through dialogue, respect, and equality.

Regarding the status of the Serbian language and flag in Montenegro, Milatovic affirmed that Serbs have Montenegro as their home, just like all other citizens. He stressed that the rights of Montenegrin citizens are determined within Montenegro through its institutions and constitutional order. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the Serbian language status, he cautioned against resolving such issues through tension or political bargaining, advocating instead for broad social and political dialogue to ensure no citizen feels marginalized.

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Serbs in Montenegro have their own country - Montenegro. It is their home, just as it is the home of Montenegrins, Bosniaks, Albanians, Croats, Muslims, Roma, and all other citizens.