Adoption of Jasenovac Resolution by Montenegrin Parliament strains relations with Croatia
N1 Belgrade, DW
5–6 minutes
Is the adoption of the Jasenovac Resolution by the Montenegrin Parliament a "tribute to the victims" or more about "the interests of the regime in Serbia"? Regardless, the relations between Podgorica and Zagreb have been seriously damaged.
Just two days after unblocking the European integration process, the Montenegrin government angered both Croatia and Brussels by adopting the Jasenovac Resolution. On June 26th in Brussels, Montenegro received a positive IBAR (Report on the fulfilment of temporary benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 on the rule of law), and according to its officials, entered the final phase of negotiations to join the European Union. However, despite Prime Minister Milojko Spajic's statement that the EU integration process would never again be subordinated to party or other interests, this is exactly what happened just two days later.
At the proposal of the Parliament Speaker, Andrija Mandic from the New Serbian Democracy, the Montenegrin Parliament adopted the Resolution on Genocide in the Jasenovac, Dachau, and Mauthausen camps. The first reaction from Brussels to this condemnation of World War II genocide was the cancellation of the visit by European Council President Charles Michel, who instead met with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic in Brussels. Following this, praise for Montenegro was removed from the official statement of the European Council, which was done at the suggestion of Croatia.
Milica Kovacevic, Program Director of the NGO Center for Democratic Transition from Podgorica, believes that the adoption of the Resolution on genocide in the camps of three European countries – Croatia, Austria, and Germany – is part of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's agenda, aiming also to relativize the UN Resolution on Srebrenica.
The intention behind adopting the Resolution in the Montenegrin Parliament is illustrated by a statement from one of its proposers, Milan Knezevic, leader of the pro-Serbian Democratic People's Party (DNP). He said on Belgrade's TV Prva that „we should not forget that Germany was the sponsor and Croatia the co-sponsor of the Srebrenica Resolution, so it is fair that they face their own consequences."
Former Montenegrin Minister of European Integration and University of Montenegro professor Gordana Đurovic stated that Montenegro had no need to worsen relations with Croatia. „We all suffer from this resolution, as citizens and as a state. We are now anxious about whether Montenegro will be blocked soon. The question is only when and for how long, not if it will happen. Some things cannot be fixed, but the question is how Montenegro will proceed," Đurovic said.
In addition to sending a protest note to the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Croatia could declare the parliament members who voted for the Resolution „personae non gratae," a move requested by Most party member Miro Bulj in the Croatian Parliament. Meanwhile, unresolved issues between the two countries, such as the demarcation at Prevlaka and the dispute over the ownership of the „Jadran" ship, could escalate.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Spajic claims that all decisions, including those on Srebrenica and Jasenovac, are made by Montenegro as an independent country that will, as he said, be principled in condemning every crime.
„All resolutions focused on paying tribute to victims, rather than on condemnation, historical circumstances, geopolitics, etc., will be supported. These other topics should be left to historians to objectively investigate the circumstances," Spajic stated – although, prior to the Resolution's adoption, he told the Brussels portal „Politico" that „the resolution definitely harms Montenegro."
Interviewees from DW believe that the damage has already been done and suggest that efforts should now be made to mitigate the consequences.
„This doesn't have to be a tragedy if it stops here and if institutions start doing their jobs. Montenegro must return to the policy that all our neighbours are equally important and detach itself from Aleksandar Vucic's agenda. I think he is very unhappy if someone is better than him, and Montenegro's progress towards the EU doesn't suit him politically," Milica Kovacevcc pointed out.
Gordana Djurovic recalled that Montenegro gained many points in Brussels precisely because of its good neighbourly relations, which have now been damaged for the sake of someone else's interests.
„It would be good to return to a culture of dialogue, to think about our common interest, to calm the situation, and to return to diplomacy and the European agenda," Durovic concluded.
