The new government of Montenegro will work to improve and develop cooperation with Russia.
Podgorica considers it important to resume a dialogue at various levels with Moscow, as well as to revise existing agreements between the two countries, Milorad Šćepanović, the Balkan Republic’s ambassador to Moscow, told RIA Novosti correspondent Elena Protopopova. The diplomat, who headed the diplomatic mission to the Russian Federation in early September, spoke about Montenegro’s interest in opening direct flights with Russia as soon as possible, as well as about how many Russian tourists visited Montenegrin resorts this year, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
– What changes are possible in the foreign policy of Montenegro after the victory of the opposition in the parliamentary elections, in particular, in relation to Russia and Serbia? Is it possible to lift anti-Russian sanctions?
– The only official act of the leaders of the coalitions who won the parliamentary elections, which are to form a new government, confirmed the main strategic directions of Montenegro’s foreign policy. With regard to relations with Russia and Serbia, some of the winning leaders of the three coalitions expressed the need to improve relations with the two countries. All Montenegrin officials with whom I met prior to my arrival in Moscow expressed a strong desire and interest in developing ties with Russia.
After the elections, new leaders made statements about the need to find opportunities and how to improve our cooperation. I see an orientation towards the fact that Montenegro wants to establish much better relations with Russia, one of the most important players in the international arena with which we have historical ties.
We have a very developed interaction with Serbia, but lately we have had politically bad relations, given the disagreements over the events taking place this year regarding the church and that law (the Law on Freedom of Religion and Belief and the Legal Status of Religious Communities, which provides for the removal of church property at the Serbian Orthodox Church – ed.).
But cooperation with Belgrade has never stopped. Serbia is our most important partner in the economy and tourism, just as we are their important partner. I am sure that the new government will do everything to improve political relations with this country.
As for the situation in connection with the sanctions against Russia, so far no specific official position has been expressed. In general, on this issue, I think it is too early to speak, because today in Montenegro a parliament is being formed, in accordance with the constitution, a future prime minister is appointed, a government is formed and a work program for the new government is adopted, after which more detailed information on this issue will be expressed from side of government representatives.
If we are talking about sanctions at the moment, then these sanctions cover very small areas. But I understand the importance for Russia of the fact that we have joined the EU sanctions. As you know, the integration of Montenegro into the EU is on the agenda, and the sanctions were introduced by the European Union, not Montenegro. We joined them on the basis of our commitment.
– Does Montenegro remain interested in joining the EU? What steps will be taken for this?
– According to the coalition agreement recently signed in Montenegro, the EU accession process remains one of the key strategic directions of Montenegro. It was stated that the accession negotiations with the EU would be more dynamic and efficient.
In this sense, it should be expected that negotiations on all open negotiating chapters will be intensified on the basis of the new methodology for EU accession. Montenegro is currently the only candidate to have opened all the negotiating chapters. More details about this can be reported only after the formation of the new government.
There is a consensus on the issue of joining the EU in Montenegrin society. There is no one who criticizes the desire to join the EU. For the government, this will remain one of the main goals.
– The Serbian delegation led by President Aleksandar Vucic signed an agreement on economic cooperation in Kosovo on September 4 in Washington, mediated by US President Donald Trump. How does Montenegro assess the signing of this agreement on economic cooperation? What effect it can have on the situation in the Balkans?
– Montenegro supports all the agreements of the countries of the region that contribute to the improvement of regional relations and cooperation. We expect that the Washington Agreement will also contribute to this. More intensive and large-scale economic cooperation in the region can contribute to the process of stability and further development.
– Is Montenegro considering the possibility of purchasing a Russian vaccine against coronavirus infection? Are there already any negotiations on this issue?
– I came to head the diplomatic mission in Moscow immediately after Geneva, where I headed our mission to the UN and where the headquarters of the World Health Organization is located. I am very familiar with the topic of the coronavirus vaccine.
Montenegro, like the Russian Federation, is committed to and supports WHO’s efforts to find the best defense against the coronavirus pandemic, including finding reliable vaccines, based on comprehensive cooperation and solidarity.
Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by WHO for future procurement of accepted and validated vaccines, Montenegro has expressed its interest in the relevant contingent and in this sense remains open for further contacts and cooperation with all interested countries. To this end, we are committed to the principles of inclusiveness, equality and solidarity for all countries and all people in the world in the fight against the coronavirus.
Various countries are working on a vaccine – not only Russia, but also China, Great Britain, Switzerland, and the USA. We are not currently negotiating. Russia can be our partner in these discussions about cooperation. Our goal is to use all the most effective tools in the fight against coronavirus. Montenegro is open, ready for such cooperation with Russia. We do not close the possibility of cooperation with any country that can protect our country from the virus. If a bilateral agreement is reached on this, we will consider it very seriously.
– When are the Montenegrin authorities planning to open borders and direct flights with Russia, which was stopped amid the pandemic? Are there any statistics on how many Russians have visited the country? What is being done in Montenegro to protect tourists from the coronavirus?
– In early August, by decision of the National Coordinating Body, Montenegro included Russia in the so-called green list in accordance with epidemiological criteria. Based on this, the entry of Russian citizens into Montenegro is possible without additional conditions, a PCR test is not required. The competent authorities and the national airline of Montenegro have expressed interest in the resumption of direct flights with Russia. We expect that the Russian side, that is, its competent authorities, will soon consider the issue of a possible resumption of air traffic.
As you know, Russian tourists rank second in terms of visiting Montenegro (including all foreign tourists). Thus, in 2019, more than 400 thousand tourists from the Russian Federation visited Montenegro. This year, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this number has dropped significantly.
According to the data we own, in the period from January to July, about 5600 Russian tourists visited Montenegro in collective accommodation, which is 88% less than in the same period last year. The tourist season suffered significant losses, given that tourism is one of the most important spheres of the Montenegrin economy. The consolation is that the area of greatest interest to tourists is hardly affected by the second wave of the virus. If necessary, foreign tourists are provided with the necessary medical assistance, and testing is regularly carried out at the Institute of Public Health.
When I flew here via Istanbul, I saw many tourists from Russia on flights to Montenegro. Since the opening of the border on August 7, 8388 Russian citizens have visited Montenegro. Since the beginning of 2020, only about 14 thousand Russians have visited Montenegro.
There is no information about the date of opening direct flights with Russia. This question depends on the epidemiological situation. We are very interested in direct flights to Russia, but we must wait for the situation with coronavirus to improve, which will allow us to make a decision on this. It is a pity that at the moment, due to the threat of a pandemic, our countries are in such a situation.
– What is the position of Montenegro regarding possible EU sanctions against Russia in connection with the situation with Alexei Navalny? And what about the sanctions against Belarus? Will Podgorica join possible new restrictions?
– In accordance with long-term practice, in accordance with the obligations arising from accession to the EU, Montenegro joined the adopted declarations, and as for restrictive measures, this issue is still being considered at the EU level.
Given that there has not yet been an official call to join the restrictive measures, it is difficult to speak in advance about further steps by any of the countries. Including Montenegro – in terms of taking any measures when it comes to these two issues.
– What kind of Russian-Montenegrin contacts are planned? Are any bilateral visits being considered?
– At my first meeting after my arrival at the Russian Foreign Ministry, I said that we must intensify the dialogue between Moscow and Podgorica on all issues.
As you know, political and diplomatic relations between Montenegro and Russia have existed for more than three centuries. In recent years, our relations have gone through a difficult period marked by serious political differences.
Nevertheless, we are convinced that there are many opportunities for cooperation, regardless of the areas related to sanctions, which can be used if there is political will on both sides based on mutual interests. Montenegro is determined to work towards normalizing relations and improving cooperation. In this sense, we consider it very important to resume dialogue at different levels and contacts in different fields, taking into account the interests of both sides.
A special role in this belongs to the foreign ministries of the two countries, which must intensify the dialogue and work to prepare conditions for the resumption and further development of cooperation. Consultations are expected in the field of consular relations, which reflects the interests and needs of the citizens of both countries, so that our side is ready to prepare possible visits for this purpose.
I think it is very important now to revise the contractual framework of Russia and Montenegro. See what our countries have. There are many agreements between our countries that were signed back in the days of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. There was a three-year period of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, during which agreements with Russia were also signed. Everything that came before Montenegro gained independence in 2006 matters.
It is important to conduct an audit in order to understand which agreement is suitable for the further development of cooperation, and which is anachronistic, irrelevant.