A new diplomatic tension has emerged in the Balkans as Montenegro temporarily suspends its visa-free travel policy for Turkish citizens. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic announced the decision on his official X (Twitter) account, stating, “Tomorrow, under an urgent procedure, we will adopt a decision to temporarily suspend visa-free travel for citizens of the Republic of Turkey.”
Spajic: ‘We will preserve cooperation’
In his statement, Spajic emphasized that the decision does not aim to harm bilateral relations between the two countries. “To protect economic cooperation and mutual interests, we will soon begin intensive talks with Turkey to find the best model for maintaining our partnership,” he said.
Triggering incident: Alleged assault and protests
According to the local outlet Televizija Vijesti, the suspension came after an alleged assault involving Turkish citizens, during which a Montenegrin man was stabbed in the Zabjelo district of Podgorica. The incident sparked street protests and unrest, particularly in neighborhoods with a high Turkish population. Some demonstrators reportedly chanted anti-Turkish slogans.
Over 13,000 Turks affected
Montenegrin police estimate that around 13,300 Turkish citizens currently reside in the country. The new visa policy is expected to impact not only tourism but also Turkish investors seeking citizenship through investment programs.
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Visa exemption agreement suspended
Under the existing visa-free travel agreement, Turkish citizens were allowed to enter Montenegro for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. With Spajic’s announcement, the implementation of this agreement will be temporarily suspended until further notice.
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