The Diplomat
The Spanish government called in the last hours for “tranquility and return to good neighborly relations” between Serbia and Montenegro, after both countries agreed on the reciprocal expulsion of their ambassadors.
In a communiqué issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spain points out that it is a friend of both Serbia and Montenegro, and therefore calls for tranquility and good neighborliness. The Spanish Executive considers that this is necessary “for the stability of the entire region and its European perspective”.
After the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Serbia and Montenegro formed a common state until 2006, when the latter declared its independence. Since then, identity tensions have arisen from time to time between the two countries.
Last Saturday, the governments of Serbia and Montenegro announced the mutual expulsion of their respective ambassadors because of a case of alleged sovereign interference in a historical dispute dating back to the last century. The eye for an eye began when Montenegro declared Serbian ambassador Vladimir Bozovic persona non grata after denouncing his “constant interference in the internal affairs of Montenegro. Hours later, and in response, Serbia announced the same measure against the Montenegrin diplomat Tarzan Milosevic, whom it expelled from the country.
