Ex-president denies he "worked against Montenegro"

Ex-president denies he "worked against Montenegro"

Tadić told the Podgorica-based TV outlet Vijesti in an interview that he was against Montenegro holding its independence referendum in 2006, but that he has since changed his position, because he believes that the policy of preserving the state union between Serbia and Montenegro had done a disservice to Serbian national interests.

Tadić, formerly the leader of the Democratic Party (DS), which joined the opposition in 2012, also said he believed that the new government failed to solve a single outstanding issue with Montenegro, including dual citizenships and the payment system, "or build a kilometer of roads or railways."

He described himself as " the best friend" of Montenegro, where he has always been "greeted in a friendly manner."

Tadić also revealed he had "friendly communication" with Montenegrin leaders, including Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, and that he regretted that there was "a degree of Machiavellianism in politics and the public, which does not exist in reality."

Asked whether controversial businessman Stanko Subotić was "the connective tissue" in the current relations between Serbian and Montenegrin authorities, Tadić said that this will become evident at the end of the trial against Subotić.

"I'd answer that question if I had a clear answer. We will get an answer at the end of the process against Stanko Subotić, related to cigarette smuggling. I do not know whether he is guilty or not, it will be established by the court, but the structure and nature of the relationship between him and the new government will be seen at the end of the process," he added.