Putin said Prime Minister of Serbia about the “aggravation” in the Balkans
The President of Russia Vladimir Putin at a meeting with Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in Moscow said that he had noticed the aggravation of the situation in the Balkan region, and proposed to discuss this issue. About it reports TASS.
“I would really like to discuss with you the situation in the region, because, we believe, by some external signs we see even some aggravation,” — said Putin.
At the same time Putin expressed confidence that the upcoming presidential elections in Serbia will be held “at a high level.” The Russian leader wished “success to the current government” and said that “no matter how evolved political situation,” the Kremlin has “no doubt” that relations between Russia and Serbia will develop “positive”, “in the spirit of friendship” “which characterizes” relations between Moscow and Belgrade.
In Serbia on April 2, are scheduled presidential elections. The current President is Tomislav nikolić. He has the right to be elected to a second five-year term.
In October 2016 Montenegro held parliamentary elections. After the elections became aware of the fact that he was detained 12 citizens of Serbia, who, as stated by the Montenegrin authorities, planned sabotage.
In November, the Montenegrin Prosecutor’s office said that the group, which included citizens of Serbia and Russia, wanted to kill the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, and had planned to spend in the country a coup. Montenegrin Prosecutor Milivoje Katni said that the coup attempt involved Russia.
An international search was announced, the two Russians Eduard Shirokov and Vladimir Popov. As believes a consequence, they created a criminal group to assassinate the Prime Minister and commissioned the leader of the nationalist organization “Serbian wolves” Alexander Sindjelic to organize riots on election night.
The Kremlin is “categorically” denied involvement in the attempts to destabilize the situation in Montenegro, said the press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov. “Of course, we categorically reject the possibility of official involvement in whatever the attempts of the organization of any illegal actions”, — he said.
As announced in March, the head of the European Parliament Committee on foreign Affairs David McAllister, Russia is pursuing a policy of destabilization of the situation in Serbia
In his view, its purpose is to prevent the entry of the Republic into the European Union. He noted that the Balkan region is “extremely troubled” and there could “happen a splash in a very short time”, and “because of some irresponsible actions” can spark conflict.
Most of the Balkan countries are not members of the EU except for Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece. Serbia has applied for membership in the European Union in 2009. Three years later, the country received a candidate status.