Podgorica, (MINA) - The decision to introduce visas for citizens of Turkey has caused serious damage to the Montenegrin economy and undermined the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, said president of the Bosniak Democratic Movement, Sead Sahman.

In a statement to the MINA News Agency, he said that the incident in Zabjelo, Podgorica, for which citizens of another country, not Turkey, were responsible, was unjustifiably used as a reason to introduce visas to Turkish citizens.

According to Sahman, the consequences of this decision are already visible at the economic level: numerous flights from Turkey to Montenegro have been cancelled, the entire tourist traffic, including the rental car sector, has been reduced.

Sahman warned that the cancellation of the visa-free regime could have multiple negative consequences, including possible reciprocial measures by Ankara.

According to him, Montenegrin emigrants are the most affected by the decision to introduce the visa regime.

Sahman said that Montenegro is a country that strives for European values, and that any call to hatred is unacceptable, including chants such as “kill the Turk” or “Turks out”.

He called on all political subjects, institutions, media and citizens to show responsibility, prudence and dignity and to contribute to preserving and strengthening of friendly relations between Montenegro and Turkey, which, as he pointed out, are of key importance for the peace, stability and prosperity of both countries and all those who live in them.