On the eve of the European Union-Western Balkans Summit to be held tomorrow (Friday) in Tivat, relations between Montenegro and Serbia have become tense after a series of incidents that have raised security concerns.
Montenegrin authorities yesterday deported 87 Serbian citizens, who arrived at Tivat airport on a charter flight with the "Air Serbia" plane. According to the Montenegrin security services, the group was considered a threat to national security, as some of its members had participated in gatherings with a high security risk, while others were involved in criminal offenses and misdemeanors with elements of violence.
According to "Vijesti", banners with the slogan of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) "Serbia Wins" were seized during the search, as well as remote communication equipment and a marine radio station. Two buses with Serbian license plates, which were suspected of being used to transport the group, were also confiscated.
Meanwhile, immediately after this incident, around 30 Montenegrin citizens were detained for several hours at Belgrade airport after the arrival of a flight from Podgorica, further increasing tensions between the two countries.
Many of the people expelled from Montenegro have been described by the media, activists and opposition figures in Serbia as individuals close to the SNS and to structures that have been involved in confrontations with student protests, incidents at sporting events and other controversial activities in Serbia.
Tomorrow's summit in Tivat is expected to be one of the most important diplomatic events in Montenegro's history. It will be attended by senior European and regional leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Kosovo is also invited.
The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, recently stated that the country has faced actions in recent months aimed at hindering its European path, citing interaction between foreign political factors and organized crime groups, without giving specific names.
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On the other hand, the Serbian Security and Intelligence Agency (BIA) announced that it had recommended that President Aleksandar Vučić not travel to Tivat due to the high security risk. According to the BIA, Montenegrin authorities had not shared the required security assessments for the summit in time. However, Montenegrin authorities have guaranteed that security will be at the level for each leader who will participate in the summit.
Serbian journalist Vera Didanović, commenting on the incident, told "Vijesti" that it is difficult to believe that such an operation would be organized in such a visible way if the goal was to hide it. According to her, it remains unclear whether this is a serious organizational failure or a deliberate action with a political message, addressed to Montenegro, the European Union or public opinion in Serbia.
So far, the president, speaker of parliament and prime minister of Montenegro have not made detailed statements on the incident. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić said that the reaction of institutions at Tivat airport proved that the security system works and that risks are identified and neutralized in time.
Vučić after BIA warning not to travel to Montenegro: I am not afraid of threats
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that he is not afraid of threats, after the Security and Intelligence Agency (BIA) recommended that he not travel to Montenegro for security reasons.
The BIA warning came after operational information according to which Radoje Zvicer, considered the leader of the Kavaçi criminal clan, is currently in Montenegro. Vučić is expected to attend the EU-Western Balkans summit to be held tomorrow in Tivat, despite the warnings from the BIA.
In a post on his Instagram account, Vučić reacted to the threats by publishing a message with the caption: 'Take off Vučić's head.'
"I am neither afraid nor impressed by threats. The only thing I care about is how our citizens can live better and how Serbia can become even more successful," the Serbian president wrote.
The BIA officially announced that it had recommended the head of state not to travel to Montenegro due to the high security risk.
"Due to the hostile activities of foreign services and criminal groups in Montenegro, the Security and Information Agency has officially recommended the President of the Republic of Serbia not to travel to Montenegro, as the existence of a high security risk has been established. According to our operational knowledge, Radoje Zvicer, the leader of the Kavač clan, is in Montenegro," the BIA statement said.
The European Political Community Summit brings together the leaders of European countries and institutions and is considered one of the most important political events on the continent.
On the eve of the summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro stated that it will do everything to welcome "friends, allies and partners" at the highest level and to guarantee the successful and dignified development of this important event.
Meanwhile, the Montenegrin Police announced that security measures throughout the country have been raised to the highest level.