"Koštunica won't apologize to Montenegro"

Democrats Bozidar Djelic and Vuk Jeremic apologized to Montenegro for insults that came from a Kostunica advisor. The government convened in Belgrade today for a session that discussed, among other topics, the scandal that broke out Thursday when Aleksandar Simic, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's advisor, said Montenegro was "a quasi-state" at an "insufficient level of civilization". "Kostunica won't apologize to Montenegro" Afterwards, Predrag Bubalo, a DSS cabinet member, told journalists Kostunica will not be making any apologies. The row, which brought the relations between the two coutnries, once very close, perhaps to the lowest level in recent history, started over an entry ban Podgorica imposed on SPC Bishop Filaret. Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said after the session that the government reached conclusions which said it considered Montenegro an internationally recognized state, a UN member country, adding this was Serbia's official position. However, the government has not issued an official statement regarding the diplomatic incident, while Kostunica will not apologize for the offensive remarks that came from his camp. Reporters asked Jeremic whether Serbia will apologize to its neighbor, as Germany apologized over Ambassador Andreas Zobel's remarks recently which Belgrade found objectionable. "Germany did not apologize, it merely explained its policy. In the same way we will explain ours. Montenegro is a recognized state, with which we wish to develop good relations," Jeremic answered. Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen, in Belgrade Friday for a pre-arranged official visit, said he spoke to his Serbian counterpart on the phone Thursday evening and understood their conversation as an apology. Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic then followed suit in a statement to journalists last night. Tanjug's sources say the government did not officially include the incident in its agenda, although G17 Plus and Democrats yesterday announced they would seek explanation both from Simic and Ilic, who cancelled an official visit to Montenegro Thursday. Instead, Tanjug says, the session took place "in a calm and constructive atmosphere." Meanwhile, Rocen told reporters in Belgrade statements coming from "some Serbian individuals" cannot harm the dignity of the Montenegrin state, but will instead harm Serbia itself, and its European future. The Montenegrin diplomacy chief said that Belgrade directed its anger over the Filaret controversy at a wrong address. "Montenegro honors its international obligations and those towards the Hague Tribunal," Rocen explained. He and his Serbian counterpart agreed in the end that the two neighboring countries must seek to build "the best possible relations". The Serbian cabinet is in session: Jeremic, Ilic (Tanjug)

"Koštunica won't apologize to Montenegro"

Afterwards, Predrag Bubalo, a DSS cabinet member, told journalists Koštunica will not be making any apologies.

The row, which brought the relations between the two coutnries, once very close, perhaps to the lowest level in recent history, started over an entry ban Podgorica imposed on SPC Bishop Filaret.

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said after the session that the government reached conclusions which said it considered Montenegro an internationally recognized state, a UN member country, adding this was Serbia's official position.

However, the government has not issued an official statement regarding the diplomatic incident, while Koštunica will not apologize for the offensive remarks that came from his camp.

Reporters asked Jeremić whether Serbia will apologize to its neighbor, as Germany apologized over Ambassador Andreas Zobel's remarks recently which Belgrade found objectionable.

"Germany did not apologize, it merely explained its policy. In the same way we will explain ours. Montenegro is a recognized state, with which we wish to develop good relations," Jeremić answered.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Roćen, in Belgrade Friday for a pre-arranged official visit, said he spoke to his Serbian counterpart on the phone Thursday evening and understood their conversation as an apology.

Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić then followed suit in a statement to journalists last night.

Tanjug's sources say the government did not officially include the incident in its agenda, although G17 Plus and Democrats yesterday announced they would seek explanation both from Simić and Ilić, who cancelled an official visit to Montenegro Thursday.

Instead, Tanjug says, the session took place "in a calm and constructive atmosphere."

Meanwhile, Roćen told reporters in Belgrade statements coming from "some Serbian individuals" cannot harm the dignity of the Montenegrin state, but will instead harm Serbia itself, and its European future.

The Montenegrin diplomacy chief said that Belgrade directed its anger over the Filaret controversy at a wrong address.

"Montenegro honors its international obligations and those towards the Hague Tribunal," Roćen explained.

He and his Serbian counterpart agreed in the end that the two neighboring countries must seek to build "the best possible relations".