The participation of representatives of the Armed Forces of Montenegro (AFM) in the military parade held last weekend in Belgrade is not and cannot be a political message, but solely relates to military-diplomatic protocols and cooperation in the field of defense.
This was stated by the Ministry of Defense to "Vijesti" yesterday, in response to questions about whether representatives of the Armed Forces of Montenegro had a place at the parade in Belgrade, given the socio-political situation in Serbia, where protests against the government have been ongoing for months, which is responding to it with repression against some of the demonstrators, and why it was decided that two officers of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro would attend the event.
"Quite the opposite - if the internal political situation in Serbia were the reason for Montenegro not to send representatives to an official event organized by the state of Serbia, that would constitute direct interference in the internal affairs of a neighboring country," the editorial office was told in response. Dragan Krapović (Democrats).
They said that Montenegro pursues a policy of respecting sovereignty and non-interference in the internal political processes of other states, adding that the decision to have two officers of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro attend the parade was made based on professional and protocol criteria, and not on political developments.
The Ministry stated that the presence of officers at the parade does not mean either support or condemnation of internal political processes in Serbia, but "simply confirms the continuity of institutional military cooperation."
"We would like to remind you that, in addition to representatives of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, representatives of the American and French armies were also present at the same parade, which further confirms that this is an international military-diplomatic practice, not a political message," said the department headed by Krapović, noting that Montenegro, as a member of NATO and a candidate for EU membership, will always ensure that its actions are in accordance with international law, the principle of mutual respect and the protection of its own interests, without calling into question the sovereignty of other states.
Radić: A question of decency
Military analyst from Belgrade Aleksandar Radić, told "Vijesti" that the presence of representatives of the Armed Forces of Montenegro at the parade was "a matter of decency."
"All countries in the region, if they sincerely mean well to each other, also take into account military protocols. Of course, that goes without saying, of course it is part of Montenegro's defense policy...", he stated.
Radić claims that "there is nothing politically problematic about it," recalling that the president and prime minister of Montenegro were not present at the event (Jakov Milatovic i Milojko Spajic).
"The situation in Serbia is turbulent... But it will survive. Authorities come, authorities go...", he said.
The military parade in Belgrade, as reported by local media, was organized as part of events dedicated to the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag. Since 2020, this day has been celebrated in Serbia and Republika Srpska, an entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and September 15 was symbolically chosen as the date of the breakthrough of the Thessaloniki Front. It has not yet been added to the list of religious, working or non-working holidays in Serbia, so it is celebrated unofficially, but with the support of the local government.
Parade entitled "The Power of Unity", attended by the President of Serbia and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić and the Minister of Defense Bratislav Gasic, was held on Saturday (September 20) at the Palace of Serbia in New Belgrade.
The website of the Serbian Army states that the commander of the military parade was the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army, General Milan Mojsilović. Around 10.000 participants were involved, and around 2.500 pieces of weaponry and military equipment were displayed. The Serbian Army website also states that visitors to the parade were able to see more than 600 vehicles, 70 aircraft and 20 vessels.
A parade of echelon units of all branches and services of the Serbian Army, cadets of the Military Academy, as well as units on vehicles and vessels of the River Flotilla, was presented. The parade program also included a demonstration of some of the capabilities of the Special Purpose Military Police Detachment "Cobra", a drill by members of the Guard, and a parachute jump by members of the 63rd Parachute Brigade.
Mandić and Knežević "proud", opposition criticizes
The parade was also attended by the President of the Parliament of Montenegro and the leader of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) Andrija Mandic and head and deputy of the Democratic People's Party Milan KnezevicThe event was also attended by the first man of Pljevlja Dario Vranes (NSD), president of the Right of Montenegro Marko Milacic and leader of Free Montenegro Vladislav Dajkovic.
Mandić said it was an “exceptional honor” to attend the parade. The speaker of parliament said that the ceremonial parade “showed the unity of the Serbian people, while representatives of numerous allied, partner and friendly countries were present in the stands, which is the embodiment of unity and understanding.” He said that his colleague Milan Knežević and he were also particularly proud of the fact that two officers of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro attended the parade.
Knežević stated that some would like “Serbia not to have an army, that we go to the celebration of ‘Storm’ in Vukovar, that we (Marko Perkovic) Thompson presents at Eurovision...” So, as he stated, “some people would like to see a casino and a yoga center open in Jasenovac.”
"Let's apologize to them every time we go to Belgrade, let's erase the Cyrillic alphabet from our graves and publicly apologize for being Serbs. Well, there will be those who want to, or they would say to us in Zeta and Podgorica: 'And when do you need it?'" Knežević pointed out.
DON'T MISS IT
On the other hand, the opposition sharply criticized the participation of Montenegrin representatives in the parade.
The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) announced that sending members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro to attend the military parade, organized by Aleksandar Vučić, is another example of the "shameful relationship of the government with the Prime Minister's paf-paf" Milojko Spajić towards the state of Montenegro and its best interests".
They pointed out that it is clear that the current government, "which, thanks to Spajić, is predominantly composed of Greater Serbian nationalists and deniers of Montenegro," serves the interests of official Belgrade.
"They would like to push our country into the 'Serbian world'", which is what Vučić wholeheartedly advocates, who even today has not come to terms with the fact that this is an independent state, of a civic character, whose permanent commitment is anti-fascism. This is an unprecedented humiliation and humiliation of the state army by Vučić's servants and henchmen Mandić and Knežević, who are attending the parade and who make up the current government, all with the amen of Spajić and PES (Europe Now Movement), who obviously do not have the guts to oppose the real head of the parliamentary majority, the Chetnik duke and the agenda that, in the name of Vučić, he and his henchmen are implementing in this country," the DPS statement states.
DON'T MISS IT
President of the SDP Main Committee and representative of the European Union Mirko Stanic He stated that the parade shows “that the emperor is gone”, but that this should not be seen through “traitorous optics”. He assessed on the “Iks” network that the decision of the VCG to participate in this event was shameful.
The parade was also attended by the Metropolitan of Budimlje-Niksic of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Methods.
"Vijesti" received a message from the office of the head of state on Friday, September 19th. Milatović and Prime Minister Spajić were unofficially told that the two of them did not receive an invitation to attend the parade.
DON'T MISS IT
Serbian President Vučić announced in mid-August that he had invited the Montenegrin prime minister to attend a military parade, “to see how the army is being built.” He said this in response to Spajić’s comment that “Serbia is the largest country in the region and that it is in Montenegro’s interest for (Serbia) to join the European Union and NATO.”
Among the guests at the parade were the President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former President of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, commander of the Ohio National Guard Matthew Woodruff... Also present were the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, the Minister of Defense of Hungary, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan...
Mandić: Witnessed joint military history of Serbia and Montenegro
Andrija Mandić assessed that the presence of two officers of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro at the parade in Belgrade "once again testified to the glorious common military history and tradition of Serbia and Montenegro."
"The future of the region lies in shared security and the preservation of peace and stability, because only in this way can we build a better and more prosperous tomorrow," Mandić wrote on the "Iks" network.
Bonus video:
