Vucic criticized Montenegro for anti-Serbian policies
The attempt by the Serbian authorities to dissuade Montenegro from adopting the anti-Orthodox law “On Freedom of Religion” is not interference in the internal politics of a neighboring state, but a desire to protect the interests of the Serbian people, who are threatened by this law.
This was stated by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“As President, I believe that it is vital for Serbia to ensure the survival of our people in Montenegro. Therefore, it is important that we react firmly to the brutal campaign to assimilate Serbs,” Vucic said.
In his opinion, the anti-Serbian policy of the Montenegrin authorities is evidenced by the fact that Montenegro sent an official delegation to the Croatian Knin to celebrate the anniversary of Operation Storm, as a result of which more than 250 Serbs were expelled from Croatia.
“We have responded calmly to this and respect your right to make decisions. But you dared to lecture us on how we should act, even though we took all necessary measures to protect your embassy in Belgrade. We brought in 1000 police officers. No one wanted to break into the embassy or show aggressive intentions, except for a few irresponsible people who wanted to set the flag on fire,” Vucic said, commenting on the recent protests by Orthodox students outside the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade.
He said that he had already held several meetings with Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, at which he discussed the latest events in Montenegro. Vučić thanked representatives of the Serbian community, political parties, mayors of cities in the neighboring country for their willingness to support his decision to come to the north of the country for Christmas, which he was eventually forced to cancel due to the hysteria of representatives of the Montenegrin political establishment.
Serbia's president joked that he did not expect his personal visit to a temple in northern Montenegro to prompt local authorities to call in NATO. At the same time, he expressed his readiness to discuss the situation with the leader of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic and invited him to Serbia.
“They interpret it as their internal issue. I see brutal attacks on me and on Serbia's policies. I have not advised the leaders of political parties in Montenegro. I have to listen to them. I express my point of view, but do not give advice. This is their business,” the president said.
He also noted that none of the heads of the European Union countries called him to convince him not to go to Montenegro for Christmas. Vučić said that he spoke with US Secretary of State (Robert) O'Brien, but not about Montenegro. At the same time, he expressed surprise that the US Ambassador to Montenegro criticized the burning of the Montenegrin flag in Belgrade, but “did not notice” the beating of priests in Montenegro.
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