PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) - On Wednesday, Montenegro announced a ban on 87 Serbian nationals from entering its territory, asserting that they represent a security risk ahead of an important European Union summit scheduled for Friday. This gathering will bring together prominent leaders from the EU and the Western Balkans to discuss key issues related to the region.
The individuals were intercepted upon their arrival in Tivat, a coastal town in Montenegro, via a charter flight from Serbia. Montenegrin police stated that the Air Serbia plane was specifically targeted due to heightened security measures implemented in light of the upcoming summit. Authorities conducted thorough checks in order to maintain a stable security environment.
According to a joint statement released by Montenegro’s police and its National Security Agency, "as part of the efforts to preserve a stable security environment, the security services identified persons of security interest." The agencies accumulated operational data and intelligence proving that the presence of these individuals in Montenegro would indeed pose a risk to both internal and national security.
The detained men were reportedly in possession of communication devices and banners proclaiming "Serbia wins," which is a campaign slogan associated with the populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party. President Vucic is also expected to participate in the summit in Tivat, located along Montenegro’s picturesque Adriatic Sea coast.
Media reports from both Montenegro and Serbia indicated that some of the individuals banned are known pro-government activists. These individuals have previously faced allegations of involvement in violent confrontations with student demonstrators during over a year of street protests against Vucic’s administration. The Montenegrin police also noted that several of the men have criminal records and have participated in multiple "high-risk public gatherings."
In addition to banning these individuals, Montenegrin authorities confiscated two buses that were presumably being used to facilitate their travel. There has been no immediate comment from Serbian officials in response to Montenegro's actions.
President Vucic has recently declined to attend commemorative ceremonies in Montenegro that mark the 20th anniversary of Montenegro's independence from Serbia. He has openly shown support for pro-Serbian political factions in Montenegro that oppose the country's NATO membership and advocate for closer ties with Russia.
The forthcoming summit in Tivat will primarily focus on the EU membership prospects of the six candidate countries from the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. These nations are at various stages of the EU accession process, and recent EU initiatives have aimed to encourage reforms within these countries amidst concerns regarding the expanding influence of Russia and China.
Global stakeholders are closely observing the developments in this region, emphasizing the significance of stability and cooperation among the Western Balkan nations as they navigate their paths toward European integration.
