SARAJEVO

Montenegro has reintroduced a visa-free regime for Turkish citizens, while reducing the permitted length of stay from 90 to 30 days, the government announced on Tuesday.

The decision was adopted without holding a formal government session, through the consent of a majority of Cabinet members, by amending the regulation on the visa regime that lifted the temporary suspension of visa-free entry for Turkish nationals, according to a statement published on the government’s official website.

The government said the limitation on the length of stay was introduced as a measure to prevent irregular migration and to align Montenegro’s visa policy with that of the European Union.

The statement noted that cooperation with Turkish authorities has meanwhile been strengthened, alongside enhanced security and migration checks, adding that Montenegro retains the option to reintroduce a visa regime if security risks are deemed to be present.

The government said a more restrictive visa and migration policy is being applied to strengthen control over the entry and stay of foreign nationals and to prevent irregular migration.

The decision is part of a broader package of measures to align Montenegro’s visa policy with EU rules, including adjustments related to third countries such as Azerbaijan, which are expected to be completed by Jan. 15.

The Interior Ministry and the police administration have carried out all activities envisaged by the National Security Council related to migration challenges, the statement said.

The temporary suspension of the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens was introduced following an incident in Podgorica that some local media initially linked to Turkish nationals. A subsequent investigation showed that they were not involved in the attack.

The High Court in Podgorica said on Oct. 31 that two individuals arrested on suspicion of involvement in the Oct. 25 knife attack were released after it was established they had no connection to the incident and were not present at the scene at the time.

The earlier decision to introduce visas drew criticism from some Montenegrin officials. President Jakov Milatovic said in November that the measure had been hasty and economically harmful, stressing that collective blame against any nation is unacceptable.

Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic later visited Istanbul, where he met Turkish officials and expressed hope for the swift lifting of visas, highlighting the importance of good relations between Podgorica and Ankara.