We assume that the Croatian Government wanted to send a message to the domestic public by naming the commission "for resolving the issue of the return of the training ship 'Jadran'", and we are of the opinion that there is no need to comment on it in particular.
This is how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) responded to the question from "Vijesti" whether they perceived the name of the commission as a provocation.
The department headed by Ervin Ibrahimović (Bosniak Party) emphasized that they believed that discussions on certain issues should be conducted by specialized commissions at the expert level, and that they were clear that the Croatian side had opted for a slightly different approach, "which will certainly be reflected in the composition of our Commission."
They announced that the Government of Montenegro will form its Commission as soon as possible, and that a meeting of the two commissions will then be organized.
The Croatian government yesterday formed a "Commission for resolving the issue of the return of the training ship 'Jadran' and other issues of succession of military property with Montenegro". The country's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs did not respond to questions from the editorial staff about whether they believe the name of the commission is based on the principles of good neighborliness, and whether they think the Montenegrin side could perceive it as a provocation.
"Regarding your inquiry, we would like to inform you that we have allied relations with the Republic of Croatia and we maintain continuous communication at all levels. It is in our common interest to resolve all bilateral issues, in a spirit of friendship and openness, with the aim of achieving mutually acceptable solutions, as befits neighboring countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, through their engagement during 2025, have greatly contributed to achieving measurable results when it comes to improving relations and resolving individual bilateral issues," the newspaper wrote in its response.
They emphasized that, when it comes to forming the Croatian commission, it is a logical consequence of the conclusions of the bilateral consultations held in January and May of this year.
"We recall that it was agreed at that time to form commissions on both sides, with the aim of exchanging arguments and attempting to resolve this issue bilaterally. Each side has the right to name its part of the commission whatever it deems appropriate," they added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is public knowledge that Montenegro and Croatia have different positions on certain issues, including the ship "Jadran", but that this is not a reason not to discuss these, as well as all other issues important for improving relations between the two countries.
"Fully aware that there are those in both countries who do not fully understand the importance of discussing issues that burden the relations between the two countries, we are committed to attempting to resolve all issues bilaterally in order to guide future generations towards building the kind of relations that two neighboring and allied countries deserve," they stated.
Zagreb's move came a day after Podgorica closed five chapters in its accession negotiations with the European Union (EU). Croatia blocked the closure of Chapter 31 (foreign, security and defence policy) at the end of last year, and previously, in the form of a non-paper, submitted requests to resolve several issues it considers open, including the ownership of the ship "Jadran". Montenegrin officials claim that Podgorica has met all the conditions for "crossing out" Chapter 31.
The document establishing the commission published on the Croatian Government's website states that the president of the body will be Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, and the members will be Andreja Metelko Zgombić and Vanda Babić Galić, as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and Tomislav Galić, Nikolina Volf and Želimir Latković from the Ministry of Defense.
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