Podgorica and Pristina to establish diplomatic relations

Montenegro and Kosovo have established diplomatic ties with an exchange of letters of foreign ministers, the government in Podgorica announced today.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Roćen said in his letter that he expects the position of the Montenegrin community in Kosovo to be permanently solved, and that as this issue is being resolved, preparations for an exchange of diplomatic staff will begin.

Montenegro recognized the Kosovo Albanian unilateral proclamation of independence in October 2008, and had its ambassador expelled from Belgrade.

The new Montenegrin envoy arrived in Serbia a year later.

Serbia had suggested that Montenegro should wait before establishing diplomatic ties with Kosovo until after the ICJ reveals its decision on the legality of the UDI.