Deputy prime minister in the Government of Serbia and minister of trade, tourism and telecommunications, Rasim Ljajić, believes Montenegro and Serbia should cherish friendly relations with the premise that both countries are independent. In an interview with Pobjeda, a daily, he noted that the one-state idea, suggested by some people in MNE and Serbia, is just an illusion.
“There’s no such thing as a single state and to be frank, I don’t believe it will be set up ever again. That’s just an illusion and it’s better to admit reality and therefore cherish the closest relations possible, as any other behavior would be unrealistic and harmful to both countries,” Ljajić said.
On the recent statement by Patriarch Irinej who told Serbs in Montenegro nowadays are in worse position than in the time of Ottoman occupation and the Independent State of Croatia, Ljajić underlined that the best thing would be the church dignitaries not to meddle into political matters.
Commenting on suggestions of some Serbian politicians that Serbs in Montenegro should enter the coalition government with Milo Đukanovic’s DPS, Ljajić noted: “I think it’s a positive recommendation as that would most certainly relax strained relations in Montenegro, diminish divisions in the Montenegrin society, but it’s not up to me to give advice on this matter.”
As for the suggestions of a territorial swap between Kosovo and Serbia, he emphasized that this matter needs a sustainable, long-term solution.
