MFA: Russia's decision is unjustified, the Montenegrin diplomat behaved professionally

The decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) of Russia to declare the Montenegrin diplomat in the Embassy of Montenegro in Moscow as persona non grata was expected in the context of reciprocal measures, but at the same time unjustified, especially considering the fact that the expelled Russian diplomat was engaged in activities in Montenegro that are in contradiction with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it was announced today from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) of Montenegro.

"We remind you that the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the aforementioned decision on his expulsion on the basis of an assessment by the relevant security authorities. On the other hand, the diplomat of Montenegro in the Russian Federation, in the capacity of advisor, behaved completely professionally, in accordance with the diplomatic rules and principles of the service , respecting the host country and not abusing its hospitality," the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro emphasizes.

They added that taking into account all the mentioned circumstances, they believe that the response of the Russian side is unfounded and disproportionate, especially from the aspect of the number of diplomatic staff of the Russian Embassy in Podgorica, which is incomparably larger compared to the Montenegrin one in Moscow.

Russia announced earlier today that it had declared a Montenegrin diplomat an undesirable person and that it was a reciprocal measure.

On March 4, Montenegro declared the Russian diplomat Viktor Antipin an undesirable person, based on the assessment of the relevant Montenegrin security authorities about his activities, which were judged to be in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Antipin, accredited in Montenegro, was declared persona non grata - undesirable, based on the assessment of the National Security Agency (ANB), the News reported earlier.