Montenegro President rejects Croatian property claims

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović has addressed bilateral tensions with Croatia, stating that Croatia’s claims for property valued at over $2.7 billion are ‘not a realistic demand.’ Milatović emphasized that Montenegro’s path toward European Union accession should not be conditioned by such bilateral disputes, noting that while Chapter 31 is technically ready for closure, it has been stalled for months due to Croatian positions.

Milatović expressed hope for improved relations and a shared future within the EU, predicting that Montenegro could sign its EU accession agreement by next summer. He noted that while the integration process has technical progress, the political dimension remains critical as final decisions rest with EU member states.

Domestically, political figures are addressing the rising cost of living. Zoran Mikić of the Civic Movement URA argued that wage increases must be accompanied by measures to protect purchasing power, noting that the union consumer basket for the third quarter reached 2,170 euros. Similarly, MP Boris Mugoša called for systemic solutions to ensure wage growth keeps pace with inflation while maintaining fiscal stability.