Republic of Montenegro

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Monday congratulated Jakov Milatovic on his election as new president of Montenegro.

Vucic expressed the belief Milatovic would demonstrate firm willingness to ensure life in peace and progress to citizens of Montenegro, the presidential press office said in a statement.

Former Yugoslav Navy Fleet Admiral Branko Mamula in 1977. Photo: Private archive of Branko Mamula.

Born into a Serb family in Croatia in 1921, Mamula became a member of the Communist Party in his youth. At the start of Yugoslavia's involvement in World War II in 1941, he joined the Partisan resistance movement led by Josip Broz Tito.

Officials and politicians in Serbia on Sunday condemned Podgorica's decision to ban ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the unification of Serbia and Montenegro.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he doesn't understand the decision, which he said prohibits people in Montenegro from "thinking differently and having a different view of the past".

Montenegro's government has put forward legislation that would make not standing up for the national anthem an offence punishable by a 300 to 2,000-euro fine.

"A fine of 300 to 2,000 euros will be imposed on a person if they do not stand up during the performance of the anthem," the government press statement said.

The party reacted to Serbian PM Ivica Dacic recent allegations and added that Serbia was actually actively campaigning against Montenegro and that they would "respond accordingly to these provocations."

On the proposal of the new Interior Minister, Goran Danilovic, Montenegro's government on Thursday said was offering a reward for fresh information about who ordered or carried out the murder of the prominent editor Dusko Jovanovic in 2004.

Montenegro will hold presidential elections on April 15, after the speaker of parliament officially called the elections on Friday.

"I believe that elections will be held in a positive and democratic atmosphere and that we, all together, will prove why Montenegro is a leader in the region," Brajovic said, according to Radio Free Europe, RFE.

BELGRADE - Serbia's Minister of Economy Zeljko Sertic has said after a meeting with his counterpart from Montenegro Vladimir Kavaric that Montenegrin companies are interested in taking part in privatisation in Serbia.