Podgorica, (MINA) - Croatia has sent a protest note to Montenegro over what its Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, described as the unilateral decision by Montenegro’s Ministry of Defense to issue insignia featuring the image of the training ship Jadran.

Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs told Vijesti daily that such actions are not in the spirit of good neighborly relations, nor do they align with the EU values and standards, which Croatia is obliged to uphold.

The Croatian Ministry also announced a detailed analysis of the military succession process, under which Montenegro owes Croatia more than $2 billion.

“Croatia remains committed to dialogue and will continue to support Montenegro’s European bid, but it expects the avoidance of unilateral and symbolically provocative actions,” the Ministry stated.

Montenegrin Ministry of Defense announced  late in July that they had created a new series of insignia, specially designed for the crew of the training ship Jadran, explaining that it was done as a sign of respect for the country’s long maritime tradition and the significance that the ship holds for Montenegro.