Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has criticized the Montenegrin government’s decision to send an official representative to the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of Croatia’s military-police Operation Storm, which will be held in Knin.
“The official state of Montenegro is participating in the celebration of ‘Operation Storm,’ yet it did not send anyone to the commemoration of the Serbs killed in Mrkonjić Grad. Thank you to the Government of Montenegro. This is not the end, but only the beginning of such decisions,” Vučić said, as quoted by RTS.
He added that the expectations of part of the public following Montenegro’s political changes in 2020 had been too high, stressing that Serbia should continue supporting Republika Srpska and the Serb community in Montenegro, writes vijesti.me.
“It is good to see all these facts because they will help us be better prepared for the political developments ahead. We must be aware of all the problems and divisions that have been imposed on us,” he said.
According to Montenegro’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chargé d’Affaires of Montenegro’s Embassy in Croatia will attend the ceremony marking Victory Day, Homeland Thanksgiving Day, Croatian Veterans Day, and the anniversary of Operation Storm, in line with standard diplomatic practice, particularly among neighboring countries and NATO allies.
The ministry emphasized that the presence of its diplomatic representative is part of regular diplomatic protocol and reflects respect for the host country and its official state ceremonies. It also reaffirmed Montenegro’s commitment to good-neighborly relations, dialogue, mutual respect, and regional cooperation.
It is worth recalling that last year Montenegro’s Ministry of Defence declined the invitation to attend the ceremony in Knin, stating that, given the historical and regional context, the issue of Operation Storm remains particularly sensitive.
