Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called for closer economic integration of the Serbs in Montenegro with Belgrade.
Data from the recent census in the country showed that 623 633 people live in Montenegro, which is 0.6% more than in 2011. 41.12% declared that they are Montenegrins and 32.9% - Serbs. In 13 years the number of Serbs has increased by 4%.
When asked about the language, 36.2% of the residents answered that they speak Montenegrin and 43.5% that they speak Serbian. In the previous census, 36.9 per cent of citizens said they spoke Montenegrin and 42.8 per cent said they spoke Serbian.
The issue of language was in the public eye before and after the census, as the pro-Serbian parties in the ruling coalition announced that they would initiate constitutional amendments to make Serbian the official language after the process was completed. Amendments to the constitution require the support of two-thirds of the members of parliament.
Aleksandar Vučić commented on the census result, saying "the Serbian people have understood well that their survival depends on preserving their ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity," the official Politika reported.
The Serbian head of state said that closer ties with the Serbian people would ensure a better future and protection of interests for Serbs in Montenegro. | BGNES
