Montenegro: Caution over Kosovo

Montenegro will decide about recognizing Kosovo Albanians' secession in keeping with national interests, Montenegrin Premier Milo Djukanovic says. "In the coming months, Montenegro will very carefully and in an measured manner consider the process of the international verification of the February 2008 Kosovo parliament's decision on independence." Montenegro: Caution over Kosovo "Based on such detailed and serious political analyses, we will make a decision that will be in the best national interests of Montenegro," Djukanovic told a news conference marking 100 days of his government. He rejected the possibility that Podgorica will succumb to pressures from Brussels, Washington or Belgrade on this issue, adding that this is not merely a "bombastic statement" which conceals the real message "between lines," but the essence of Podgorica's position towards the Kosovo issue. "We are aware that there were many instances throughout history when Montenegro followed interests of others, and we have great respect for our joint history with the Serb nation as we have jointly inhabited this region for centuries, but this does not give anyone the right to expect, not even Serbia, that Montenegro will sacrifice its interests to those of Serbia," Djukanovic stated. "Our interests are the European Union and NATO and we are aware that, on that path, we should develop the maximum of cooperation in the region and we are fully prepared for this. We are not ready to share illusions and follow anyone's delusions, regardless of from where they are coming. We may be prepared to understand them, but not to follow them and thus demonstrate closeness," Djukanovic said. Also today, his close associate Svetozar Marovic said that his country is oriented towards EU integrations, but will do nothing regarding Kosovo that would undermine her own or Serbia's stability. In an interview for the Podgorica daily Dan, the vice-president of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) said that "the reality in Kosovo is contrary to international standards", and repeated that Montenegro was in a specific situation on this issue. "We are in a specific situation, because Montenegro is populated by both Serbs and Albanians and this issue must be approached with a lot of attention and sensitivity. All the more so because the reality in Kosovo is contrary to international standards," Marovic said. "Our policy must be oriented towards internal stability and we must bear in mind historic and good neighborly and economic links with Serbia. We must also take care not to jeopardize Serbia's economic stability by any gesture of ours," the high ranking DPS official was quoted by the daily.

Montenegro: Caution over Kosovo

"Based on such detailed and serious political analyses, we will make a decision that will be in the best national interests of Montenegro," Đukanović told a news conference marking 100 days of his government.

He rejected the possibility that Podgorica will succumb to pressures from Brussels, Washington or Belgrade on this issue, adding that this is not merely a "bombastic statement" which conceals the real message "between lines," but the essence of Podgorica's position towards the Kosovo issue.

"We are aware that there were many instances throughout history when Montenegro followed interests of others, and we have great respect for our joint history with the Serb nation as we have jointly inhabited this region for centuries, but this does not give anyone the right to expect, not even Serbia, that Montenegro will sacrifice its interests to those of Serbia," Đukanović stated.

"Our interests are the European Union and NATO and we are aware that, on that path, we should develop the maximum of cooperation in the region and we are fully prepared for this. We are not ready to share illusions and follow anyone's delusions, regardless of from where they are coming. We may be prepared to understand them, but not to follow them and thus demonstrate closeness," Đukanović said.

Also today, his close associate Svetozar Marović said that his country is oriented towards EU integrations, but will do nothing regarding Kosovo that would undermine her own or Serbia's stability.

In an interview for the Podgorica daily Dan, the vice-president of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) said that "the reality in Kosovo is contrary to international standards", and repeated that Montenegro was in a specific situation on this issue.

"We are in a specific situation, because Montenegro is populated by both Serbs and Albanians and this issue must be approached with a lot of attention and sensitivity. All the more so because the reality in Kosovo is contrary to international standards," Marović said.

"Our policy must be oriented towards internal stability and we must bear in mind historic and good neighborly and economic links with Serbia. We must also take care not to jeopardize Serbia's economic stability by any gesture of ours," the high ranking DPS official was quoted by the daily.