Podgorica, (MINA) - Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro, Miodrag Vuksanovic, said on Thursday that, at his proposal and in accordance with the Law, the Commander of the Navy of Montenegro, Darko Vukovic, was dismissed from his duty.

Vuksanovic pointed out that Vukovic was not dismissed on anyone’s order, under anyone’s pressure, or as a result of personal or institutional disagreements.

“Therefore, I most strongly and without any reservations deny claims that this decision is the result of an alleged conflict. That is false. Since if it was true, it would mean that the Chief of the General Staff is acting under political orders, rather than in line with the Constitution, the law and professional conscience”, said Vuksanovic in a press release.

He added that the Army of Montenegro is not anyone’s political outpost, nor a space for pressure, blackmail and manipulation.

“It is an institution of honor, hierarchy and law. I make my decisions calmly, with a clear conscience and with full awareness of the responsibility carried by the uniform I wear. Anyone who tries to present this legal decision as a personal reckoning or a political act, is not attacking me, but the principle of civil-military balance, the professional autonomy of the Army and the state itself. I will not agree to that. Never”, said Vuksanovic.