Anka Vojvodić served as the Montenegrin ambassador to Serbia until October 2008. Her expulsion from Serbia was a direct result of Montenegro's recognition of Kosovo's independence.[1] On October 9, 2008, the Serbian government declared Vojvodić persona non grata, giving her 48 hours to leave the country.
The expulsion came shortly after Montenegro, along with Macedonia, officially recognized Kosovo as an independent state on October 9, 2008.[1] This decision strained relations between Serbia and Montenegro’s, as Serbia still considered Kosovo to be its province.[1]
Diplomatic fallout
editSerbian response
editSerbian President Boris Tadic labeled Montenegro's decision to recognize Kosovo as "irrational and counterproductive".[1] The Serbian government viewed this move as a threat to Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.[1]
Montenegrin reaction
editVojvodić herself commented on her expulsion, stating, "It is not a clever and political move".[1] Despite the diplomatic tension, Montenegro expressed its commitment to maintaining positive relations with Serbia.[1]
Aftermath
editThe expulsion of Vojvodić left the position of Montenegrin ambassador to Serbia vacant for nearly a year. In June 2009, Montenegro announced that a new ambassador would be appointed soon.[2] It wasn't until later that Serbia accepted Igor Jovović as the new Montenegrin ambassador.
After her expulsion, Vojvodić returned to Belgrade in a different capacity. In October 2009, it was reported that she would take on a new role in the city. She later became one of the six founders of the Institute for Public Policy.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Serbia Angered by Kosovo Recognitions – DW – 10/10/2008". dw.com. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ "Montenegro: New Serbia Ambassador 'Soon'". June 8, 2009.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Anka Vojvodić still works for Vladimir-Beba Popović".