WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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Montenegro needs to re-establish a democratically confirmed, pro-European government together with a loyal opposition, which supports the independence and territorial integrity of the state, Daniel Server, a professor at the prestigious American University "Johns Hopkins", told Antena M.
In an interview for Antenu M, Server comments on the political crisis in which Montenegro is, which has gone from being a "leader in the region" in European integration to a "cancer wound" of the European community.
Montenegro suffered a serious setback in its European ambitions, due to political instability caused in part by Belgrade and Moscow. It is necessary for Montenegro to re-establish a democratically confirmed, pro-European government together with a loyal opposition, which in this case means one that supports the independence and territorial integrity of the country - emphasizes Server.
The special envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Eskobar, recently warned of "many possible consequences" if Montenegro does not resolve the months-long deep political and institutional crisis, stating that our country is close to a deep collapse. Asked if only harsh messages are enough in this case, Server says that he would like to see citizens of Montenegro solve their own problems.
I don't think you should expect good solutions to come from Washington - says Server.
He notes that the US currently has to deal with much bigger problems.
Montenegro is not visible in Washington above the level of Escobar, and then only in the State Department. America has much bigger problems: Ukraine, Russia, China, Iran, I will mention only a few. We expect friends and allies to govern themselves, not to require our intervention to correct their policies - Server is clear.
"I don't see Serbia's relations with Russia weakening, ZSO is possible only in the context of recognition"
As an experienced connoisseur of the situation in the Balkans, Professor Server also commented on the events in the region for our portal. We reminded him of the recent statement of the US ambassador to Serbia, Kristofer Hill, who said that Serbia has already made up its mind for the West and that its ties with Russia are weakening day by day. For Professor Server, there is no evidence for that claim.
I have not seen any evidence of weakening relations with Russia. I will welcome it with pleasure, if it happens - he said.
One of Hil's notable messages is that American companies see what is happening in Serbia and that they "see inspiration in it", saying that he does not question that there will be even more investments in 2023.
Server, however, believes that the increasingly autocratic character of Vučić's rule will lead to the reluctance of American companies to invest in that country.
The US government has very little control over where US companies invest. Their decisions are mainly made by their branches in Europe and will be guided mainly by the economic performance of Serbia, as well as the risks they are exposed to by investing there. The increasingly autocratic character of Vučić's presidency and growing virulent nationalism will lead to the hesitation of some companies - says Server.
Speaking about the relationship between Belgrade and Pristina, and in the context of the proposed agreement that the European Union and the United States of America offered to Belgrade, Professor Server is not sure how much progress has been made.
We have not seen the official text of the agreement, nor is it clear whether Vučić fully accepted it. If there is a signing of the same paper with the Republic of Kosovo clearly identified as such, it would constitute some kind of recognition in the background. But I doubt that we are still far from that outcome - said Server.
When asked if the establishment of the Union of Serbian Municipalities is realistic, and whether it could have some kind of autonomy, he answers: "I have not seen a proposal of the Union of Serbian Municipalities (USO) that I would consider realistic. I think that the time has come for Pristina to present its own proposal for the USO, the which includes international guarantors, reciprocity for majority-Albanian municipalities within Serbia and greater transparency and accountability for Belgrade's finances and personnel in Kosovo. Such a JSO would only be possible in the context of recognition and in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo."
"Americans and Europeans to consider a more energetic response to the election of Milanović"
Recently, secessionist messages have been coming more and more often from the President of the RS Milorad Dodik.
I'm not ready to go to war, but I'm ready for Republika Srpska to come closer to the status of an independent state - said Dodik a few days ago, assessing that "the already too heavy burden of the unsustainability of BiH is additionally burdened by foreigners who made Bosnia and Herzegovina a protectorate".
The server for BiH has concrete advice.
In my opinion, the right direction for Bosnia and Herzegovina is towards greater respect for individual rights and less concern for group rights, as well as less corruption and more political competition. Everyone in the RS would be better off - says Server.
The President of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, often surprises the public with statements praising Milorad Dodik, and eventually Russia.
The server states that Milanović decided to side with Russia and its representativ, and says:
Americans and Europeans should consider a more energetic response to that choice - concludes Server.
M. J.
