The statement from Montenegro’s President, Jakov Milatović, at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly commemorating three decades since the Dayton Peace Agreement, is set in a broader context and doesn’t fully capture the intricate and serious nature of the events in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s, according to his office’s remarks to “Vijesti”.

His office stated that since assuming office, Milatović has consistently reaffirmed his acceptance of and respect for international court decisions, which have undeniably recognized that the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina also constituted an international armed conflict.

Furthermore, they emphasized Milatović’s ongoing commitment to Montenegro’s supportive role as a good neighbor, advocating for the development and progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina while respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He has repeatedly expressed his respect for the innocent victims of the war and called for full accountability for their suffering.

“Portraying the President of Montenegro as an adversary to Bosnia and Herzegovina, or as one who neither respects the victims nor acknowledges responsibility, is a form of political manipulation by the Democratic Party of Socialists. This party was an active participant in the wartime events of the 90s and knows all too well the nature of that conflict to which it contributed through its policies. It would thus be both moral and necessary for representatives of that party to confront the consequences of their historical actions regarding the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and demonstrate respect for the victims. As for the issue of historical revisionism regarding the 90s conflicts, there is no clearer example than the Democratic Party of Socialists’ ongoing attempts to evade accountability for their actions during those tumultuous years,” Milatović’s office stated to “Vijesti”.

The office affirmed that the President of Montenegro has always been and will continue to be a friend to Bosnia and Herzegovina and a partner on the European integration path, focusing on collaboration, stability, and mutual prosperity.

What did Milatović and the DPS Say?

During his address at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly session yesterday—which also marks three decades since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement—Milatović highlighted the significance of the United States’ role in fostering peace in Bosnia and the broader region. He noted that this intervention was instrumental in concluding the “civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

“For my region, this American Midwest city symbolizes profound meaning. It was here, three decades ago, through decisive action by the international community, particularly the United States, that the devastating civil war in Bosnia came to an end. A war that claimed innumerable lives, jeopardized future generations, and left such deep scars that many areas continue to remain unhealed today. What lessons then have we drawn from this tragic chapter in our collective history? Primarily, we have realized that diplomacy should never be regarded as a last resort, only to be considered post the futility of armed conflict,” Milatović remarked.

The leading opposition party, the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), criticized Milatović’s statement, arguing it amounts to “a relativization of war crimes and an attempt at historical revisionism.”

They stated that Milatović’s characterization of the war as a civil conflict is a “serious misrepresentation of historical facts, disregarding international rulings and belittling the victims of genocide and systematic crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

Furthermore, they demanded that Milatović retract his statement and issue an apology to the war victims and their families.

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