Spajić: All welcomed Montenegrin amendments, I expect them to be accepted

(Patria) - Montenegrin amendments to the proposed text of the Resolution on the Genocide in Srebrenica were very welcome in a constellation of things that was very tense in the region, said Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić at a joint press conference with European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi after the summit of Western Balkan leaders in Kotor.

- They were welcomed from all sides, so I expect them to be accepted. We saw announcements that the first amendment will definitely be part of the basic text. Regarding the second amendment, we are discussing a formulation that would suit all parties, he stated.

Asked if Montenegro will support the Resolution, Spajić said he had answered that question multiple times.

- All bilateral issues that burden the region are being resolved in a friendly atmosphere. The Western Balkans are united. We sent a nice message. I think that all bilateral problems will be resolved in the future, Spajić emphasized.

Answering the question whether Montenegro needs a parliamentary resolution on Jasenovac, after the protest note that Croatia sent to Montenegro yesterday and threats that manipulation of crimes and their victims could jeopardize EU integration, Varhelyi said that historical issues can easily lead the Western Balkan countries into conflict.

- I think that good neighborly relations are an important item for the membership of every country in the EU. We always expect candidates to overcome all open issues through dialogue. I do not want to interfere in the interpretation of history, but the Western Balkans can easily go off track, Varhelyi stated.

Spajić said that regional integration is the essence of European integration, adding that he is convinced that Montenegro and Croatia will have the best relations.

- I have no doubt that we will raise these relations to a level unseen since the eighties. Montenegro and Croatia are naturally leaning on each other, they are very similar, we can learn a lot from the Croatian example, so I expect cooperation to function at a perfect level, Spajić emphasized.

(N. Kovačević)