The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, has raised concerns regarding the validity of the decision that allows someone other than Chief of General Staff Zoran Lazarević to represent the Defense and Security Council in Parliament.

According to the announcement from the President’s Office, Milatović has communicated this issue in a letter directed to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić.

On Wednesday, Lazarević informed the president, prime minister, and parliament speaker in a letter that Defense Minister Dragan Krapović had issued a written order that contradicted the Defense and Security Council’s decision made on August 28 of the previous year.

This prior decision stipulated that in parliamentary discussions concerning the Proposal for a Decision on the Engagement of Members of the Army of Montenegro (AVCG) in the European Union Military Assistance Mission supporting Ukraine, the Council would be represented by both the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff of the AVCG.

Milatović stated, “If the Minister of Defense appointed another individual to participate in Committee sessions, contradicting the Council’s decision and lacking authorization from the competent authority—the Council—then the legitimacy of that appointed individual representing the Council is in question.”

He further noted that the Parliament is opening a discussion about the potential actions the President of Parliament can take regarding the implementation of the Council’s Decisions, considering his membership in it.

Milatović’s letter also emphasizes the importance of the Prime Minister securing a written statement from the Minister of Defense ahead of the scheduled Council session, aligning with the assertions made in the aforementioned letter from the Chief of General Staff.

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