May 14, 2020 - The date when Montenegro will open its borders is not yet known. Branislav Karadzic, a member of the Operational Staff returning Montenegrin citizens from abroad, believes it will be soon.
"We are working intensively on organizing the return of our citizens who work in other countries. A flight Podgorica-Frankfurt is planned for Friday. We expect an agreement with Serbia on the return of our students to that country next week at the latest. We expect that in the next ten days, the problem of the return of our citizens who have been trapped on the cruiser of the American company "Royal Caribbean" for three months will be solved, " Karadzic told this morning in the TV Vijesti show Boje Jutra.
He added that the main goal is to preserve the health of citizens.
"We expect that our country will soon be a corona-free state. It is difficult to bid when Montenegro opens its borders, but I believe it will be very soon. Based on the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health, the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases will decide on that. When the borders open, the emphasis will be on road traffic. Montenegro may ask passengers to present evidence of a negative coronavirus test result to enter the country, but other authorities decide this. I am sure that we will find the best solution, "Karadzic pointed out.
According to him, the coordinating body is working intensively on the return of Montenegrin citizens to foreign countries where they operate.
As for Montenegrin students who want to return to Serbia due to the June exam period, the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade and the Consulate General in Sremski Karlovci have contacted the authorities in that country.
"Nothing has been agreed yet. About 180 students, who want to return to Serbia on the occasion of the June exams, contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will try to make their status as easy as possible. We expect an agreement next week at the latest, "Karadzic said.
"We returned 206 seafarers with the help of Montenegro Airlines. Many of them returned in individual arrangements in different ways," said a member of the Operational Staff for the return of Montenegrin citizens from abroad, emphasizing that about 580 seafarers remained at sea.
