MVP: It is unacceptable to present the anniversary of the restoration of Montenegrin independence as an act directed against Serbia

It is unacceptable and politically irresponsible to try to present the anniversary of the restoration of Montenegrin independence as an act directed against Serbia or the Serbian people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) announced, in response to the statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that he would "spit in the face of himself and his people" if he participated in the "glamorous celebration of secession" from Serbia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that they are particularly concerned about the continuity of the narrative that denies or attempts to relativize Montenegrin statehood, while simultaneously promoting messages that encourage division and underestimate the democratic choice of the citizens of Montenegro.

"We regret to note that on the occasion of the anniversary of the restoration of Montenegrin independence, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić continues with rhetoric that does not contribute to good neighborly relations and mutual respect between two internationally recognized states. On May 21, 2006, Montenegro, by the free will of its citizens, in a democratic referendum, restored its independence in full accordance with the Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, the rules of international law and the standards of the European Union," the MFA statement published on the Iks platform states.

The department headed by Ervin Ibrahimović reminded that Montenegro did not "secede" from Serbia, nor was it ever part of Serbia in the sense in which Vučić is trying to present it.

"On the contrary, Montenegro and Serbia were equal members of the state union that emerged after the collapse of the former SFRY, and by restoring its independence, Montenegro also enabled Serbia to continue its state and legal continuity as an independent state. Therefore, it is unacceptable and politically irresponsible to try to present the anniversary of the restoration of Montenegrin independence as an act directed against Serbia or the Serbian people. Montenegro does not celebrate its independence against anyone - but in honor of the freely expressed will of its citizens, its historical, state and identity uniqueness, as well as the right of every people to democratically decide on its future," the MFA said.

The statement added that Montenegro remains consistently committed to developing good neighborly relations with Serbia, based on equality and mutual respect, with the warning that such relations cannot be built through offensive qualifications, historical revisionism and rhetoric of political patronage towards Montenegro.

"The anniversary of the restoration of independence will be marked with dignity, pride and Europeanness - with a clear awareness that the decision of the citizens of Montenegro in 2006 was historically correct and strategically confirmed by today's democratic and European path of the state. Despite attempts to dispute it, there is no statement that can diminish the significance of the restored Montenegrin independence or weaken Montenegro's determination to, as a sovereign and European state, independently determine its future," the statement concludes.