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Montenegro and Serbia mutually expelled their accredited ambassadors in Belgrade and Podgorica on Saturday, in an escalation of tensions that has existed for some time between the two countries that were part of the former Yugoslavia, Euronews reports.
Montenegro declared Serbian ambassador Vladimir Bozovic persona non grata, blaming him for “prolonged and continuous interference in its internal affairs.” The diplomat was given 72 hours to leave the country.
Serbia announced a reciprocal measure a few hours later, declaring Montenegrin ambassador Tarzan Milosevic persona non grata and expelling him.
These gestures between two countries that once had very good relations intervene in the conditions in which a change of power is being prepared in Podgorica, for the first time in many years.
How Serbia and Montenegro broke up
Serbia and Montenegro, which formed a federation after the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, amicably separated in 2006, when Montenegro peacefully declared its independence through a referendum. Since then, Montenegro has been under the leadership of Milo Djukanovic, either as president or prime minister. Djukanovic, like Serbian President Aleksandar Vukic, is a longtime ally of Slobodan Milosevic, but over the years he has become a fervent pro-West and has led the country to membership in NATO. Serbia, on the other hand, has stayed away from the Western military alliance.
During his rule, Djukanovic pulled Montenegro from its traditional alliance with Serbia and Russia to join the North Atlantic Alliance.
But now the party of Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic (Democratic Party of Socialists), which has ruled the country for almost 30 years without interruption, lost the elections for the first time in the summer and his government has only four in power. days.
On Wednesday, the Podogriţa parliament must vote on a new government, which brings together three opposition parties considered pro-Serb.
Serbia accused of interfering in the political life of Montenegro
During his tenure, Djukanovic sought to strengthen Montenegrin identity. However, Serbia has continued its policy of exerting influence in Montenegro through the Serbian Orthodox Church, diplomacy and the media.
The current authorities in Podgorica have accused Serbia of aiding and inciting opposition forces to bring their allies to power and regain influence over the country.
Serbian ambassador Bozovic is accused of “blatant disrespect” for calling Montenegro’s decision to join the Serbian kingdom in 1918 as an act of “liberation” and “free will” of the Montenegrin people. A century later, in 2018, the Parliament of Montenegro had declared null and void this decision by which Podgorica renounced its sovereignty.
Read also: Serbia sanctions Montenegro after small state freed from coronavirus refuses to open borders for Serbs
Editor: Luana Pavaluca
