Montenegro’s president says Serbia can’t handle that his country is ahead in EU accession

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Montenegro’s president said Tuesday that Serbia cannot handle the fact that his country is one step ahead in terms of European Union accession.

Milo Djukanovic made the remarks in the city of Bijelo Polje ahead of the second round of presidential elections, which will take place on April 2.

"Serbia cannot afford the situation that Montenegro will become an EU member before Serbia. It also cannot afford Montenegro to be one step ahead in terms of higher salaries. This has not been the case throughout history, but it has been so for the last 15-20 years,'' said Djukanovic.

Montenegro will hold a second round of presidential elections after none of the candidates managed to secure more than 50% of the vote on March 19.

Incumbent Djukanovic of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro and economist Jakov Milatovic of the newly-formed Europe Now Movement will face each other in a runoff on April 2.

This will be followed by early parliamentary elections on June 11.