Đukanović says Kosovo "waste of time"

Montenegrin PM Milo Djukanovic once again spoke about Kosovo, to claim that attempting to "revise its independence" was "a waste of time". "For that reason it is more rational, however painful, to draw the line and turn to what represents a chance. And the chance is European future," said he. Djukanovic says Kosovo "waste of time" According to Montenegro's state broadcaster RTCG, which was quoting Djukanovic's statements given to the local media, he believes that the "loss of Kosovo" came as a result of "the defeat of a policy led there for many decades". He said that "Serbia's interests should be respected", and added that "it is equally important to know that respect alone does not contribute to regional stability". The Montenegrin premier stated that Podgorica finds its relations with Belgrade "important", and that Serbia is "important in the region". "But, regional stability means that you must be sensitive enough to the overall very different interests of your state." Djukanovic also said that "Montenegro and Kosovo will in the near future establish diplomatic relations". He also denied speculation that there are disagreements over this among the 66top Montenegrin leadership. "That is not true, although there has been a lot of speculation about it. So far we never had that item on the government agenda, not even in the government working bodies, and not within the regular foreign policy consultations that are done by the foreign minister, president, parliament speaker and prime minister," said Djukanovic. Different stances voiced by some representatives of the government are "personal," according to him. If Serbia were to again expel Montenegro's ambassador in Belgrade over the issue of the diplomatic relations with Pristina, Djukanovic said he would "again be in favor of Serbia's ambassador to remain in Montenegro".

Đukanović says Kosovo "waste of time"

According to Montenegro's state broadcaster RTCG, which was quoting Đukanović's statements given to the local media, he believes that the "loss of Kosovo" came as a result of "the defeat of a policy led there for many decades".

He said that "Serbia's interests should be respected", and added that "it is equally important to know that respect alone does not contribute to regional stability".

The Montenegrin premier stated that Podgorica finds its relations with Belgrade "important", and that Serbia is "important in the region".

"But, regional stability means that you must be sensitive enough to the overall very different interests of your state."

Đukanović also said that "Montenegro and Kosovo will in the near future establish diplomatic relations".

He also denied speculation that there are disagreements over this among the 66top Montenegrin leadership.

"That is not true, although there has been a lot of speculation about it. So far we never had that item on the government agenda, not even in the government working bodies, and not within the regular foreign policy consultations that are done by the foreign minister, president, parliament speaker and prime minister," said Đukanović.

Different stances voiced by some representatives of the government are "personal," according to him.

If Serbia were to again expel Montenegro's ambassador in Belgrade over the issue of the diplomatic relations with Priština, Đukanović said he would "again be in favor of Serbia's ambassador to remain in Montenegro".