Zivkovic: Statements from Podgorica a “poke in the eye” for Serbia, devastating potential for regional relations

Historian Bogdan Zivkovic stated that the claim made by Montenegrin Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic — that Montenegro’s foreign policy priority is Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe — is “a poke in the eye to Serbia,” with a devastating potential impact on regional relations.

“These statements carry, we could say, a devastating potential for regional relations. This is not just about Ervin Ibrahimovic, but about an entire circle within Montenegrin society — politicians and parties who interpret Montenegro’s sovereignty solely as sovereignty from Serbia. These are not people who believe that the citizens of Montenegro should independently decide their future, including the issue of relations with the secessionist authorities in Pristina. Rather, they believe that the very act of poking Serbia in the eye is proof of Montenegrin sovereignty and independence,” Zivkovic told Kosovo Online.

He noted that Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted in a measured manner to Ibrahimovic’s statement:

“It tried to deescalate the situation, but we’ve seen that Ibrahimovic responded on behalf of his ministry with an even harsher and more forceful statement. If he and certain elements of Montenegrin society do not change their understanding of relations with Serbia — where legitimate aspirations for sovereignty would be accompanied by a desire for good neighborly relations — we’ll continue spinning in this vicious circle,” Zivkovic emphasized.

He believes that Ibrahimovic is “nonetheless isolated within the Montenegrin government” and that most of its members would not support such a policy.

Zivkovic clarified that this is not the official stance of the entire Montenegrin government or public, but of one man — the leader of the Bosniak Party.

“As we all remember, he was one of Milo Djukanovic’s satellite leaders. He is a distinct individual who, within this heterogeneous Montenegrin government, heads the foreign ministry and is trying to push through some of his own particular interests,” Zivkovic said.

According to the historian, Ibrahimovic justifies his actions with “a clumsy narrative about Montenegro’s European path.”

“That has absolutely nothing to do with Kosovo’s accession to the Council of Europe,” Zivkovic clarified.

He added that the current Montenegrin foreign minister is known for his anti-Serb views:

“He wants to push for Kosovo’s independence as something he ideologically believes in,” Zivkovic underlined.

Even though such statements should not be dramatized, he said, it remains to be seen how the Montenegrin government, as well as Serb parties within it and Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, will respond.

“And even the absence of a response is, in itself, a kind of response. On the one hand, Spajic is leading a very heterogeneous coalition. He knows that this is a move the Serb parties — on whose support the government depends — cannot stand behind, and they are probably looking for some kind of compromise,” Zivkovic said.

Recalling that the Bosniak Party violated everything agreed upon in the formation of the current Montenegrin government, Zivkovic is convinced that Ibrahimovic will remain “stubborn,” which could lead to a new institutional crisis.

“We can expect that Ibrahimovic, in line with his policies, will persist stubbornly in this intent, but that will undoubtedly trigger another crisis in Montenegro’s already unstable government,” Zivkovic concluded.