Đukanović was awarded the Order of the Knight of the Grand Cross

The Captains and Regents of San Marino today awarded the President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović with the Order of the Knight of the Grand Cross, the Information Service of the President of Montenegro announced.

"This is an order of the highest rank and is awarded for political, artistic and scientific merit. The highest degree, Knight Grand Cross, is awarded to heads of state, members of ruling families, high government officials, and in special cases to those who have made a special contribution to San Marino" , it is emphasized in the announcement.

Captain Regent Francesco Musoni said that it was a great honor for them to present the award to Đukanović for his achievements and that the decision was also made by the Parliament of San Marino.

"By presenting the award, President Đukanović becomes part of the order of San Marino, a small number of presidents who have this distinction, Musoni said.

"The Knight of the Grand Cross was awarded to: Vittorio Emanuele III°, Cardinal Paćelli - Pope Pius XII, Luigi Ćibrario, Gaspare Finali, while in recent history the current Italian president Sergio Mattarella received this award," the announcement concludes.

Đukanović expressed his gratitude for the high state decoration that was awarded to him.

"As I said, I perceive and accept it as a sign of the special attachment and attention that San Marino pays to relations with Montenegro and the sincere desire that you continue to build relations of friendship and partnership with us. I want to assure you that in Montenegro you will have a reliable and dedicated friend and partner".

The President of Montenegro also stated that he was pleased to be on his first official visit to San Marino.

"Thank you for the hospitality and honors you have shown to Montenegro and to me personally. This is the first visit of a Montenegrin president to San Marino, which gives a special stamp and symbolism to today's meeting. Soon it will be exactly 15 years since our two countries, in 2007. established diplomatic relations. The visit to San Marino is a confirmation of friendship, commitment and openness of Montenegro to nurture and deepen relations full of cooperation and understanding and strengthen our interstate ties".

Đukanović stated that Montenegro is committed to preserving continuity and improving the cooperation of small European states.

"We are convinced that regardless of size, and especially today in extremely complex and changed geopolitical relations, small countries have a special responsibility to encourage and promote dialogue, equality and mutual respect in international relations by their own example and mutual support. That is why even today, on the foundations good experiences of cooperation on the parliamentary level, in the fields of health, culture, art and sports, I would like to especially affirm Montenegro's commitment to continue supporting and creating new forms of cooperation and communication together with San Marino that will enrich the space and place of small countries in the wider European horizon".

The press release of the president's cabinet states that Đukanović said that he was happy that the potential for intensifying cooperation on the economic level had been recognized.

"The agreement of European chambers of commerce of small countries with the aim of promoting investment, trade and cultural cooperation, which was signed on May 29, 2019 in Montenegro, due to the coronavirus pandemic did not have a real opportunity to provide the necessary impetus and lead to more visible improvement on the bilateral level. I believe that the expected exit from the pandemic, and especially today's visit, will also mark the beginning of a new period of economic, along with traditionally friendly political relations. Common membership in the Mediterranean cultural and historical circle provides space for expanding cooperation in the field of culture and art. A lot from the rich history and traditions of our countries, a lot of similarities and diversity, waiting to be discovered. I believe that we recognize a huge space for dynamizing contacts and connections, both on a bilateral and multilateral level, and that we should pay special attention to regional initiatives. Regional cooperation and good neighborly relations are one of from the pillars of Montenegro's foreign policy. In this, we pay special attention to the Adriatic-Ionian and Mediterranean regions. Therefore, we are particularly looking forward to San Marino's recent accession to the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region," the statement said.

He laid a wreath at the monument to the volunteers

Đukanović, at the end of his official visit to San Marino, laid a wreath at the monument to the volunteers (Ara dei Volontari).