INTRODUCING VISAS FOR RUSSIAN CITIZENS WILL HARM MONTENEGRO

PODGORICA, JULY 28 /SRNA/ - The Russian Embassy in Podgorica said that Montenegro would suffer a serious blow by introducing visas for Russian citizens.

The Embassy stressed that the introduction of visas for Russian citizens from November 1 represents evidence of the official Podgorica’s dependence on "foreign patrons" who seek to undermine relations between Montenegro and Russia. It was assessed that this would harm Montenegro itself, as its interests are not a priority for foreign patrons whose main goal is to further damage Russian-Montenegrin relations. The statement added that Podgorica’s foreign allies overlook the fact that tourism accounts for around 30 percent of Montenegro’s gross domestic product, and that Russian tourists accounted for 16.4 percent of all overnight stays in the country last year. "It is easy to assume that the introduction of a visa regime will significantly reduce that number," the Embassy said. It also stated that numerous projects involving Russian capital, important for Montenegro, would suffer a serious blow. "It should be assumed that this measure will receive neither the understanding nor the support of Montenegrin citizens who want to see cooperation with Russia develop. The Embassy is convinced that, with goodwill, the issue of preserving the visa-free regime could have been resolved even under the conditions of EU accession," the Embassy said. Unfortunately, they added, they do not see any interest from the Montenegrin side in such a solution. It was emphasised that Moscow remains open to considering all proposals that could help overcome the crisis in bilateral relations, for which, as stated, Russia bears no responsibility. "At the same time, we reserve the right to respond appropriately to hostile actions," the statement of the Russian Embassy in Montenegro concluded, Sputnik reported.