The issue of relations with the diaspora has been raised to the level of the highest priority of the executive and legislative authorities, President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović said this evening in the Bar, at the opening of the event "Days of the Diaspora-Emigrants".
Đukanović said that emigration from Montenegro took place for centuries, individually and en masse, and poverty was the basis of both.
He recalled that during periods of good relations between Cetinje and Belgrade, there were mass relocations to Serbia, as well as that in various Yugoslav state arrangements, the population of Montenegro was displaced to other regions.
As he stated, it went to Turkey, USA, Argentina, later to Australia, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, as well as other Western European countries.
"Only between 1903 and 1908, about 25 thousand Montenegrins left for America, mostly young men between 16 and 25 years of age. "Half of the working-age population, or about ten percent of the total population," said Đukanović.
As he stated, in 1903, Jovo Hajduković from Crmnica was among the founders of the city of Fairbanks, and contributed to the faster integration of Alaska into the USA.
Đukanović said that more than 150 years have passed since Pedro Gojko, son of Geronimo Gojković, the first Montenegrin who immigrated to America in 1798, founded the first political party in Puerto Rico, and 120 years since John Gregović, the first American born in Montenegro Gori, became a Nevada senator.
"Also, 70 years since the election of Majko Stijepović as governor of Alaska, but also just over 15 years since the election of Jorge Kapitanić as Prime Minister of Argentina. Viktor Ljumović, whose father and mother are both from Montenegro, is a famous American pilot from the Second World War, decorated several times for over 50 successfully completed combat missions. Later, he was a high-ranking CIA and NATO official," Đukanović said.
He also mentioned the current state prosecutor of Arizona, Marko Brnović, and added that last year in December, he attended the 200th anniversary celebration in Buenos Aires since Mihailo Damjanović from Čevo and his wife Jelena od Perović from Entre Rios were registered on December 9, 1818. Cuca, as the first settlers in South America.
"There are countless of our emigrants and their descendants who are notables in their homelands, who are also proud of their native Montenegro," said Đukanović.
According to him, among the people of our origin there are more and more philanthropists, who are following in the footsteps of the famous Rišnjan Vasa Ćuković from Denver, who significantly improved the entire health sector in Montenegro with his donation.
"This bright tradition of humanity is continued by people like Baranin Ljub Dabović from Ninberg, or the distinguished banker from South America Federik Tomašević who donated 200 square meters of office space for the needs of the Montenegrin cultural, financial and information center," said Đukanović.
Among them, as he stated, are Zada Đurović di Maio from France, Ćazim Džaferović from America, Refik Radončić from New York, Senad Đoković from Tužan, Blažo Sredanović from Cetinje and many others.
Đukanović cited the "Gusinje" Foundation from New York, the Native Association "Bihor" from Luxembourg, "Merhamet" from Germany, "Euro—Gusinje" from New York, the Cultural Center "Rumija" from Chicago, "Njegoš" as bright examples of humanity and charity. from Sydney.
He said that today in all countries with a higher concentration of the Montenegrin diaspora, there are also organized forms of their activities, associations and associations of which there are about 200.
"These societies, whose numerous representatives are among us tonight, are the biggest promoters of their state of Montenegro and the guardians of our identity, language, culture and tradition," Đukanović assessed.
He said that there are examples throughout history that peoples were left without states, but that they survived and rebuilt states thanks to their people in the dispersion.
"Our Montenegrins, Serbs, Albanians, Bosniaks, Croats, and Muslims from all over the world showed this when they came en masse to vote for the restoration of their country at the referendum on May 21, 2006," Đukanović pointed out.
As he stated, Montenegro is, only 13 years after the referendum, an independent country, a member of the United Nations, and of all key political and financial international organizations and institutions, a member of NATO, in the advanced negotiation process for membership in the European Union, recognized as an important factor in the regional stability, land of good news from the Balkans.
"And most importantly, a country of multi-ethnic democracy and dynamic economic development. Since gaining independence, GDP has doubled both nominally and per capita. "The average salary increased by 82 percent, and it is the highest in the region," said Đukanović.
According to him, the new state relationship with the diaspora testifies to the modern development of Montenegro.
"That issue has been raised to the level of the highest priority of the executive and legislative authorities. "The need for its systematic arrangement, following the example of highly migratory countries, is recognized," said Đukanović.
Today, as he stated, communication between the motherland and the diaspora is extremely easy, because we live in the time of the fourth industrial revolution.
"New technologies open up unimagined possibilities for gathering the human resources of Montenegro from all over the world. Someone rightly said that today Montenegro is going where its diaspora is already - to Europe and the developed world," Djukanović added.
At tonight's ceremony, he presented the award for preservation of national identity and belonging to Montenegro to professor Milenko Perović, the award for contribution in the field of culture to Veljko Bulajić, for contribution in the field of science to professor Nadežda Basara, and for contribution in the field of diplomacy and promotion of Montenegro to Refik Radončić.
Đukanović presented the award for contribution in the field of sports to Duško Ivanović, for charity to the Rumija Cultural Center, and for the improvement of economic partnership with Montenegro to Veselin Mijač.
Presented the awards
Đukanović presented awards to prominent emigrants and diaspora organizations in seven categories that the Diaspora Administration awards every other year.
The award for preservation of national identity and belonging to Montenegro was given to prof. dr. Milenko Perović, award for contribution in the field of culture Veljko Bulajić, award for contribution in the field of science prof. Ph.D. Nadežda Basara, award for contribution in the field of diplomacy and promotion of Montenegro Refik Radončić, award for contribution in the field of sports Duško Ivanović, award for charity Rumija Cultural Center and award for improvement of economic partnership with Montenegro Veselin Mijač.
Bonus video:
