Serbia Warns President Vucic About Security Risks at EU-Balkan Summit in Montenegro
Security Concerns and Diplomatic Tensions Surrounding the EU-Balkan Summit
Serbia's Security Agency Issues Warning
BELGRADE, June 4 (Reuters) - Serbia's security agency warned President Aleksandar Vucic not to travel to Montenegro on Friday for a summit with European Union and Balkan leaders, citing security threats amid a diplomatic tit-for-tat between the two countries.
Key European Leaders to Attend Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen are due to arrive in the coastal town of Tivat on Friday to meet leaders of the six Western Balkan countries and discuss progress towards EU membership.
Details of the Security Threat
Statement from Serbia's Security and Information Agency
Serbia's Security and Information Agency (BIA) said in a statement late on Wednesday that a trip to Montenegro is a high security risk for Vucic due to "hostile activities of foreign secret services and a presence of a criminal clan there."
President Vucic's Response
Speaker of the Parliament Ana Brnabic said Vucic planned to travel to Tivat despite the warning and that he would have some important meetings there.
Incidents Heightening Tensions
Montenegro Turns Back Serbian Plane
The warning came after media in the capital Podgorica reported that Montenegro on Wednesday turned back a plane with 87 men from Serbia that landed in Tivat, saying they represented a security threat ahead of the EU-Western Balkan Summit.
Police Seize Buses Intended for Group
The Vijesti news portal said police had seized two buses that were supposed to transport the group.
Background: Serbia-Montenegro Relations
Strained Diplomatic Ties
Relations between Serbia and Montenegro have been strained over Podgorica's ties with Kosovo, which Serbia does not recognise, and Belgrade's influence over domestic political issues through church and political parties affiliated with Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party.
Montenegro's Alignment with the EU
NATO member Montenegro gained independence in 2006 following dissolution of its union with Serbia, and unlike Belgrade it had introduced sanctions against Russia, aligning its foreign policy with the European Union.
Border Control Measures
On Wednesday evening Serbia introduced a stricter control of its border to Montenegro, which created long lines at crossings, Serbian N1 TV reported.
(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Sonali Paul)
