Podgorica, (MINA) - Serbia respects Montenegro, its citizens and its decision to become independent, said President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, emphasizing that he expects the authorities in Podgorica to respect the rights of the Serbian people and the Serbian language.

Commenting on reactions after he announced that he declined the invitation to attend the Montenegrin Independence Day celebration, Vucic said that he only expressed his personal position and wished Montenegro “all the luck and success”, but that he was criticized by part of Montenegrin media.

“This is not about me. This is about Serbia and the daily attacks on Serbia”, said Vucic in his “address to the citizens of Montenegro” published by the Borba portal.

He rejected accusations that Belgrade threatens Montenegrin independence or territorial integrity, stressing that Serbia “has never questioned Montenegro’s borders or had territorial pretensions”.

Vucic said that Montenegro, just two years after leaving the state union with Serbia, violated the UN Charter by participated in what he described as the “seizure of Kosovo and Metohija from Serbia”.

He said that he wishes Montenegro the best of luck in Europe and NATO, that he would congratulate on everything and rejoice in the successes of Montenegro.

“Just don’t make us celebrate politics and political results that are directed against Serbia and the Serbian people”, added Vucic.