The progress of the Western Balkans has been brought into question and only a more active Europe is able to prevent the region's falling under the influence of Russia and Turkey, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic told the French media.

Speaking for ‘Figaro’ daily newspaper, Djukanovic explained the prosperity in the region was challenged due to two circumstances, the first one referring to “the interests of the great ones to clash in the Balkans again.”

The second circumstance, according to Djukanovic, is still having to cope with three problems dating back to the 1990s. Those are the Serbia-Kosovo conflict, dysfunctional Bosnia and Herzegovina, and paralysis of Macedonia.

“Instability has been increased with the recent deterioration of relations between Serbia and Croatia,” he warned.

Asked if Russia accepted Montenegro's membership in the NATO, Djukanovic said that Moscow generally opposed to the NATO integration of the Western Balkans.

“Since we were the only candidate country, that objection naturally turned towards us”, he added.

The Montenegrin president said his country has always been historically and culturally close to Russia but that the two countries’ relations significantly deteriorated over the past years.