In Montenegro, the socio-political split between the Montenegrin, pro-European option and the Serbian option, which is both pro-Russian and anti-Western oriented, has continued.
This is stated in the official annual report of the Croatian Security and Intelligence Agency (SOA) published on the agency's website.
"Radical Serbian parties are part of the current ruling political coalition. The government in Montenegro is trying to demonstrate its European commitment and commitment to common European policies and values, but the influence of Serbian political options with nationalist and anti-Western stances may negatively affect the European integration process, as well as Montenegro's foreign policy relations with EU members," the report states.
The same document states that Serbia continues to actively promote the concept of the "Serbian World", which, according to the SOA, aims to unite Serbs in neighboring countries, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Montenegro and Kosovo, under the unified political umbrella of official Belgrade.
"The concept of the 'Serbian World' in many of its elements is a copy of the Russian concept of hybrid action and leverage of influence towards neighboring countries called the 'Russian World'," states the SOA.
The Croatian agency also states in its report that, in addition to its religious role, the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) has significant national and regional political influence.
"In the political segment, the SPC leadership supports and promotes the political concept of the 'Serbian World', particularly highlighting BiH, Montenegro and Kosovo as part of that space. An example of support for the concept of the 'Serbian World', as well as strengthening the perception of the unity of the Serbian state and the SPC, was visible in the participation of the SPC leadership in the First All-Serbian National Assembly entitled 'One People, One Assembly – Serbia and Srpska' in Belgrade on June 8, 2024, together with the political leaders of Serbia and the entity of Republika Srpska. The 'All-Serbian Assembly' served to re-promote the nationalist idea of 'one people, one religion, one state', putting Republika Srpska at the forefront and introducing Montenegro into that context," the SOA report states.
The document also states that the most significant "Serbian-Montenegrin" organized crime groups in the Western Balkans are those that are mostly involved in international drug trafficking and are continuously trying to strengthen their operations.
"In the past period, mutual armed clashes and liquidations of members of these opposing criminal groups have continued, which poses a risk to public safety and the lives of citizens," the SOA report states.
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