Podgorica, (MINA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) of Montenegro has expressed its readiness to resolve open issues with Croatia through dialogue, the Ministry stated in response to a protest note sent by their Croatian counterparts over new military insignia featuring the Jadran training ship.

They stated that in the reply to Croatia, the Ministry clearly emphasized Montenegro’s commitment to, through a constructive and honest dialogue, address all mutually identified open issues.

“Furthermore, the Ministry recalled that the agreement has been already reached during the bilateral consultations held in January and May, which, among other things, provided for the formation of specialized commissions on both sides, in order to exchange relevant arguments and find a bilateral solution to the specific issue”, said the MFA. 

The Ministry added that the state remains fully committed to strengthening relations with Croatia on the basis of good neighborliness, friendship and shared European and Euro-Atlantic values.

At the end of last year, Croatia blocked Montenegro from closing Chapter 31 - Foreign, Security and Defense Policy, after relations between the two countries deteriorated.

Croatia sent another note earlier this August due to the decision of the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense to produce insignia featuring the training ship Jadran, which the Croatia claims as its property.