Serbian and Montenegrin PMs meet

BELGRADE Prime ministers of Serbia and Montenegro Ivica Dacic and Milo Djukanovic have said that relations between the two countries are on the upward trend. There are no outstanding issues cannot be resolved, they told a news conference in Belgrade on Tuesday. Serbian and Montenegrin PMs meet Dacic said that he believed that "Podgorica's decision to recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo was wrong" - but that "Serbia does not intend to be defiant with Montenegro because of that." "The problem in our relationship was created a few years ago. If we normalized relations with all western countries that have recognized Kosovo and who were the promoters and sponsors of that independence, we're not going to practice defiance with Montenegro. We think it was a mistake, but it was also the mistake of our leadership that they did not propose solutions," said he. Dacic then pointed out that Djukanovic, in spite of the differences in views between the two countries on Kosovo, "has an understanding of the views of Serbia on the progress and difficulties through which representatives of Belgrade passed in Brussels dialogue." He said that "Serbia has no hidden agenda in relation to Montenegro in terms of its statehood nor to the future." The two prime ministers also noted that all the issues that are considered open should be be solved taking into account the interests of both countries. "An unnatural situation needs to be relaxed and that is that relations between Serbia and Montenegro were burdened with unnecessary issues that were contrary to the common sentiment among the people," Dacic said. According to him, "everything that was discussed with Djukanovic today, as well as what they discussed during his earlier visit to Podgorica, is of historical importance for the two countries and the two peoples." "I conclude that there have not been any controversial issues today that we could not resolve through dialogue. This has been a big step forward," said Dacic. Djukanovic agreed with Dacic that relations were improving and expressed his satisfaction with the visit to "the friendly Serbia." "Besides what connects us from to the history, we are also bound by the values ​​that we share and common goals - for Montenegro and Serbia to be part of a united European family, which requires the implementation of demanding reforms. There are not any serious problems in relations between the two countries," the prime minister of Montenegro said. Stressing that he expects Montenegro to become in the coming years "one of the most dynamic investment destinations," Djukanovic said that the doorwas open for Serbian investment and cooperation in all fields, "particularly in the area of ​​food production, which is defined as a priority chance." Talking about dual citizenships, the prime ministers agreed that the two countries have different concepts for addressing this issue and that it was "at this point difficult to come to a compromise." Dacic in this regard stressed that "a drama should not be made out of this," and Djukanovic said that, "in time and with less and less politicization of this issue the space will open for some compromise solution." When asked whether they discussed the fugitive suspected drug lord Darko Saric, Djukanovic said that "he specifically had not been discussed," but added that "the already improved police cooperation has been affirmed." "Saric is just one of the issues we are dealing with," said Djukanovic. (Tanjug) Beta Tanjug

Serbian and Montenegrin PMs meet

Dačić said that he believed that "Podgorica's decision to recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo was wrong" - but that "Serbia does not intend to be defiant with Montenegro because of that."

"The problem in our relationship was created a few years ago. If we normalized relations with all western countries that have recognized
Kosovo and who were the promoters and sponsors of that independence, we're not going to practice defiance with Montenegro. We think it was a mistake, but it was also the mistake of our leadership that they did not propose solutions," said he.

Dačić then pointed out that Đukanović, in spite of the differences in views between the two countries on Kosovo, "has an understanding of the views of Serbia on the progress and difficulties through which representatives of Belgrade passed in Brussels dialogue." He said that "Serbia has no hidden agenda in relation to Montenegro in terms of its statehood nor to the future."

The two prime ministers also noted that all the issues that are considered open should be be solved taking into account the interests of both countries.

"An unnatural situation needs to be relaxed and that is that relations between Serbia and Montenegro were burdened with unnecessary issues that were contrary to the common sentiment among the people," Dačić said.

According to him, "everything that was discussed with Đukanović today, as well as what they discussed during his earlier visit to Podgorica, is of historical importance for the two countries and the two peoples."

"I conclude that there have not been any controversial issues today that we could not resolve through dialogue. This has been a big step forward," said Dačić.

Đukanović agreed with Dačić that relations were improving and expressed his satisfaction with the visit to "the friendly Serbia."

"Besides what connects us from to the history, we are also bound by the values ​​that we share and common goals - for Montenegro and Serbia to be part of a united European family, which requires the implementation of demanding reforms. There are not any serious problems in relations between the two countries," the prime minister of Montenegro said.

Stressing that he expects Montenegro to become in the coming years "one of the most dynamic investment destinations," Đukanović said that the doorwas open for Serbian investment and cooperation in all fields, "particularly in the area of ​​food production, which is defined as a priority chance."

Talking about dual citizenships, the prime ministers agreed that the two countries have different concepts for addressing this issue and that it was "at this point difficult to come to a compromise."

Dačić in this regard stressed that "a drama should not be made out of this," and Đukanović said that, "in time and with less and less politicization of this issue the space will open for some compromise solution."

When asked whether they discussed the fugitive suspected drug lord Darko Šarić, Đukanović said that "he specifically had not been discussed," but added that "the already improved police cooperation has been affirmed."

"Šarić is just one of the issues we are dealing with," said Đukanović.