Social Democrats (SD) MP Nikola Zirojević asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanović, whether he plans to react to "numerous insults addressed to Montenegro from several addresses outside the country", but also to "its deviation from the foreign policy course by part of the parliamentary majority and Vlade?" and compared Ivanović's behavior to a "winter dream".
Citing disputed situations, Zirojević pointed out the visit of the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, during which "the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina was not displayed", statements from that conference about the "Serbian world", statements by the Serbian ambassador that "borders are something that arose and disappeared", statements ambassador of Russia that "the expansion of the European Union (EU) into the Balkans means a confrontation with his country", the President of Serbia told the Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, but also the fact that Ivanovic did not have a statement about Maja Vukićević's vote against the admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe.
Answering the MP's question, Ivanovic pointed out that his ministry "takes all measures and actions within its competence" and added that other colleagues from the opposition had also asked these questions, and that he would answer them when he heard their questions as well.
Using the right to a supplementary question, Zirojević asked "if he thinks that, due to Maja Vukićević's vote, the international reputation of Montenegro has been undermined and the traditionally good relations with Kosovo have been threatened, but also what is his position on Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe". He added that the parliamentary majority that elected Ivanovic is heterogeneous, especially on the international level, and asked him whether, whatever they say or do, "he believes that he has let down a part of his colleagues who voted for him as minister", and why he did not come to the Assembly for months to answer the questions of the deputies.
The Vice-President of the Assembly Boris Pejović listed to Zirojević the situations from the mandate of the Parliament in the period from 2016-2020. when, among others, Zirojević's party and the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) refused the control hearings of certain ministers, to which the SD deputy reminded the fact that a part of the then opposition boycotted the parliamentary sessions.
MP of the Europe Now Movement (PES) Milan Zečević asked Ivanović when ambassadors will be appointed to numerous positions, which are vacant and at the same time very important for improving relations with Euro-Atlantic partners, and what has been done so far in this matter.
"The appointment of ambassadors is one of the priorities of the 44th Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with its competences, is continuously working to resolve this issue. Appreciating that this topic is, quite understandably, the subject of public interest, I must nevertheless point out that the appointment of ambassadors implies strict procedures both from our side and from the receiving country, and that these procedures are mostly of an internal nature. This means that the names of the proposed ambassadors are not announced to the public until they receive the agreement, i.e. the consent of the receiving country," said Ivanović and added that the duration of the procedure varies, but also that the public will be informed in a timely manner about all appointments, and that the Government has adopted proposals for some ambassadors for which the confirmation of the host country is awaited.
Using the right to a supplementary question, Zečević asked why the MFA reinstated Dušanka Jeknić to a managerial position in that department, to which Ivanovic replied that she was reinstated "according to the decision of the inspection", but also that she was employed, not in a managerial position. position.
Answering the question of PES deputy Gordan Stojović whether Montenegro will apply for the position of a non-permanent member of the Security Council (SC) of the United Nations (UN), Ivanovic pointed out that this candidacy was put forward in 2008 for the period 2026-2027. so that that period would coincide with the twentieth anniversary of the restoration of independence, but also that Montenegrin diplomatic representatives are already promoting this idea.
Asked to comment on the Russian ambassador's statements that the integration of the Balkans into the EU leads to a confrontation with Russia, he pointed out that "membership in the EU is one of the key goals of the 44th government.
"Montenegro, like all the countries of the region with which we share the European perspective, has the right to independently decide on its own foreign policy orientation that will contribute to a better and better quality of life for all our citizens. Bearing in mind the commitment of the Government to the fulfillment of this goal, which is of national interest, the subject matter the statement of the Russian ambassador cannot affect our foreign policy commitment. In other words, Montenegro continues to work resolutely and devotedly to achieve continuous progress, protecting its sovereignty and integrity and being guided by the set goals, in cooperation with international partners, regardless of any attempts obstruction of those goals," Ivanovic said.
DPS MP Andrija NIkolić asked Ivanovic whether the Committee of Ministers of the SE will vote for Kosovo to become a member of that organization, and whether Vukićević will vote.
PS SE is against the admission of Kosovo into that organization, considering it an obvious violation of the signed coalition agreement on the formation of the government.
In addition to this, Nikolić asked Ivanovic why he did not hand over a note of protest to the Serbian ambassador to Montenegro due to the statements of the president of that country against the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević.
Ivanović, referring to the Constitution, pointed out that the deputy votes "according to his own conviction" and that the executive "does not have the right to instruct or impose on the deputy the obligation to vote in accordance with the views of the Government representatives, regardless of whether such a view is in agreement with political aspirations and proclaimed goals of the Government's public policies".
"When it comes to respecting the coalition agreement, I want to emphasize Montenegro's firm determination to stick to the European course, remain a credible member of NATO, dedicated to good neighborly relations and strengthening its role on the multilateral level," Ivanović said.
Ivanović, responding to a question about Montenegro's statement at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on Kosovo's application for membership in the oldest pan-European organization, said that the consideration of this issue is scheduled for tomorrow as part of the regular spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PSSE).
"The Parliamentary Assembly is not time-limited in the preparation of opinions, and in practice, that process can last from several months to several years. Since PSSE has yet to consider this issue, and after that submit an opinion to the Committee of Ministers on the membership of Kosovo, that is, on the fulfillment of the necessary criteria for membership, the statement on your question at this moment can only be at a hypothetical level. In any case, when the question of Kosovo's membership comes up on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers, Montenegro, following its foreign policy principles, will take its position while considering the outcome of the PSSE vote. ", Ivanovic said.
When it comes to the statement regarding the statements of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, about the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, Ivanovic pointed out that his department maintains regular communication with all foreign diplomatic and consular missions accredited in Montenegro, "during which all current issues related to the relationship between the two countries are discussed , including those of a sensitive nature".
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