The Embassy of the United States of America (USA) in Podgorica is concerned about, as they announced, the inclusion in the Government of parties and leaders who do not condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine and are against European Union sanctions against Russia.
On Tuesday, the Parliament of Montenegro voted to reshuffle the government, which now includes two pro-Russian and one Bosniak party.
With this, the Government has a total of 32 members, which makes it the most numerous in the history of the parliamentarianism of Montenegro, a country with 630.000 inhabitants.
The Embassy told Radio Free Europe that they support a government committed to accession to the European Union, respect for Euro-Atlantic values and full participation in NATO, which reflects the multicultural composition of Montenegro.
"We are concerned about the inclusion in the Government of parties and leaders who do not condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine, are against European Union sanctions against Russia, and whose actions are in direct opposition to the principle of good neighborly relations," the Embassy told "Vijesti"
They called on the Government and MPs in the Assembly to stay focused on the common goal of joining the European Union and avoid counterproductive issues that threaten that goal and cause divisions.
"As an ally and close partner of Montenegro, the United States of America will continue to support and recognize the constructive actions of the Assembly and the Government, pointing out activities that are contrary to Euro-Atlantic values and threaten tangible progress towards integration into the European Union," the Embassy announced.
On July 23, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said in the parliament in Podgorica that the reconstructed government is a guarantee of stability and maturity.
"We are an indicator of how Serbs and Albanians, Serbs and Bosniaks, Serbs and Montenegrins can live and work together. We will be a beacon for the entire Balkans," said Spajić.
However, Andrija Nikolić from the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists said that this is a government controlled by Moscow and Belgrade.
"The head and brain are in Moscow. The head of this government is (parliament president) Andrija Mandić, and that's why there are no national Montenegrins in it."
The two parties of the former pro-Russian Democratic Front (DF) – led by Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević – won two vice-presidential and three ministerial positions.
The policy of DF is contrary to the official policy of Montenegro, which is the most serious candidate for membership in the European Union.
Those parties advocate the lifting of sanctions against Russia due to its aggression against Ukraine, do not recognize the independence of Kosovo, oppose Montenegro's membership in NATO, deny the genocide in Srebrenica and support the war criminals Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić.
In addition to supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin, their leaders have close political relations with the presidents of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the president of Bosnia and Herzegovina. entity Republika Srpska by Milorad Dodik.
Official Washington has repeatedly warned and expressed concern that parties and leaders who actively oppose Euro-Atlantic values are in power. A similar position was announced by European institutions.
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