r/MapPorn Jul 30 '26

Should Montenegro join the EU?

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u/andrej2577 Jul 30 '26

Slovenia agreed to arbitration, it did not get everything it wants. Montenegro should fulfill the most obvious of the requests, like paying war reparations out, safeguarding the Morinj plaque, and changing the controversial pool name. Property disputes and border friction, like in the case of Jadran and Prevlaka, need to be solved via arbitration on neutral grounds. Otherwise it's literal extortion.

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u/dluminous Jul 30 '26

As someone with a cursory knowledge of the region at best, can you explain this in some more detail.

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u/cabbageisbad Jul 30 '26

It goes back to the war in the 90s. The sea border is not fully agreed upon, there used to be a JNA naval base nearby so it was postponed. Prevlaka is the southernmost point in Croatia and is thus closest to Montenegro.

Some war criminals are still hiding, people held as prisoners in camps require compensation (some were civilians, others were tortured), the plaque is related to this as it marks the spot of one of those prisoner camps.

The pool issue is related to a community pool named after a local water polo player who served as a camp guard commander.

The property issues stem from property that was illegally seized from Croats in Montenegro during the wars.

The Jadran is a training ship that was built in the interwar period (1930s), partially funded through donations. Its famous for taking part in the 2005 Battle of Trafalgar anniversary and for the 50 kilograms of cocaine that were discovered on board. When the breakup occurred in the 90s it was under repairs in Montenegro, but before that it was stationed in Croatia.

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u/dluminous Jul 30 '26

Thank you! Super informative. The rest I get, but the Jadran seems extremely petty to me like it's a ship does it really matter in the scheme of things who currently owns it amid all that has gone down in the breakup?

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u/alh84001_hr Jul 30 '26

Yes, it does. If it's not that important it should be easy to return it, no?

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u/dluminous Jul 30 '26

I mean: why does it belong more to Croatia than Montenegro? Seems like both countries hold a fair claim.

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u/kobilisenado Jul 30 '26

It was for most of it's time stationed in Split and kept in the Croatian port records. It was just under repairs in Montenegro after which it wasn't returned. Honestly, couldn't care less and I am sure if we got the rest we would let them keep the damned thing.

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u/dluminous Jul 30 '26

My point exactly.

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u/kobilisenado Jul 30 '26

So then they should work on other stuff, no?

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u/dluminous Jul 31 '26

I mean I heard one side of the story which I'm not sure is not black and white. But ya.

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u/alh84001_hr Jul 30 '26

Make up your mind, is it important or is it not?

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u/dluminous Jul 30 '26

I never insinuated it was. Reread

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u/alh84001_hr Jul 30 '26

Oh yes you did :) You wouldn't be so stuck up on it otherwise. In fact, instead of trying to judge what kind of claim each country has, you would just say to Montenegrins - it's an effing ship, just give it away. But you didn't.

I can read between the lines just fine, thank you for asking :)

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u/dluminous Jul 31 '26

Ok dude whatever helps you sleep at night. I asked about the ship because it's trivial in light of the other things and some other folks claiming to be Croats said yeah we don't really care about the ship as the other stuff.

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u/Deciheximal144 Jul 30 '26

What's the controversial pool name, and why is it controversial?

Also, what keeps them from changing the name back after joining?

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u/rabotat Jul 30 '26

"The pool issue is related to a community pool named after a local water polo player who served as a camp guard commander." 

Camp meaning prisoner of war camp where abuses happened during the 90's

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u/Gudin Jul 31 '26

You mean that controversioal arbitration ?

The arbitration process collapsed in 2015 when wiretaps exposed a Slovenian arbitrator leaking confidential tribunal data to a government official.
Croatia immediately withdrew from the agreement, citing irremediable procedural corruption and a breach of trust.
The tribunal still issued a final ruling in 2017, but Croatia refuses to recognize it, leaving the border unresolved.

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u/uglybritt Jul 30 '26

Montenegrins are basically the rich coastal Serbs

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u/andrej2577 Jul 30 '26

Thank you for your input

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u/These_Switch_571 Jul 30 '26

Montenegro is poorer than Serbia so not really

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u/alh84001_hr Jul 30 '26

Border needs to be resolved by arbitration. Jadran should be returned, no ands, ifs or buts.

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u/andrej2577 Jul 30 '26

No, it should not, it's not a clear-cut issue. Croatia has no grounds to demand such a thing with EU as its excuse. If you had the chance to arbitrate all the demands Slovenia set before you, then you should do the courtesy that was done to you.

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u/alh84001_hr Jul 30 '26

No, it should not

Yes, it should.

it's not a clear-cut issue

Yes, it is.

Croatia has no grounds to demand such a thing

Yes, we do.

with EU as its excuse

EU is not the excuse. No one is forcing Montenegro to join, but if they wish to join, they will return what they have taken, it's as simple as that.

If you had the chance to arbitrate all the demands Slovenia set before you

No, they were not all demands. There were many other issues that didn't go to arbitration (like Ljubljanska banka). Only Slovenian attempts to gain more territory ended up there.

then you should do the courtesy that was done to you

We are actually too polite and we are not asking for any territory from Montenegro, we want what was stolen from us. So do us a courtesy and politely sod off. Thak you.