Serbian President not going to Montenegro on Christmas Eve

"I do not want to give an alibi to the Montenegrin regime to say that this was an attack on the independence and constitutional order of Montenegro. We respect the independence and constitutional order of Montenegro and we have never threatened it in any way, nor are we interested in doing so," Vucic said.

He added that a visit to Pljevlja and the Milesian Diocese had been arranged, that everything was ready, and that between 30 and 40 thousand Serbs from Montenegro were expected to come, as well.

"I made that decision because I am sure there would be a conflict and I don't want a conflict. I know that some would use it to harm the Serbian people in Montenegro," he said.

He blamed the international community for the "hysterical campaign of lies" and cited the AP agency as an example, stating that the Serbian president was "pouring gas on the fire" with his visit.