Serbian ambassador refuses to accept protest note from Montenegro

According to the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bozovic was summoned to be handed a protest note, as stated, because of the events in front of the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade

Serbian Ambassador in Podgorica Vladimir Bozovic has refused to receive a protest note from Montenegro over an attempt to set on fire a Montenegrin flag displayed in Belgrade.

According to the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bozovic was summoned to be handed a protest note, as stated, because of the events in front of the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade and last night's attempt to set the Montenegrin flag on fire.

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As announced, Secretary-General Miodrag Kankaras presented the protest of the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "in the strongest terms condemning repeated attempts to set the Montenegrin flag on fire and the assault on the embassy premises," to which, as stated, Serbian officials have failed to react.

"Certain public figures' statements in the previous period jeopardize the security of our diplomats," Kankaras stressed, expressing his expectation that Belgrade would react immediately in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in order to ensure the inviolability of the premises of the embassy of Montenegro in Serbia, as well as the inviolability of Montenegro's state symbols.

The RTCG portal reported that Bozovic condemned the flag burning as an inappropriate act, and reportedly stressed that it in no way reflected the official position of either the state of Serbia or its citizens.

"The Republic of Serbia condemns the firing (of fireworks into the flag) and attempts to burn the Montenegrin flag, which will be officially announced today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," said Ambassador Bozovic, who at the same time conveyed that "the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his regret over the said act."

It is stated that Bozovic pointed out that in communication with Minister of Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic all measures are being taken to protect the premises and staff of the embassy of Montenegro. He added that the Serbian ambassador expressed respect for Montenegro as a neighbor, an independent state, emphasizing that Serbia does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of Montenegro.

"According to the instruction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Ambassador Bozovic refused to receive the protest note," the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry announced.

Earlier, the head of Serbian diplomacy stated that the ministry condemned the attempt to set the flag on fire. Ivica Dacic said last night's incident would benefit those trying to shift responsibility for the crisis in Montenegro onto Serbia.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)