President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović attended the ceremony marking the official birthday of King Charles III at the residence of the Embassy of Great Britain.
"It gives me great pleasure to wish success and prosperity to our British friends tonight, on behalf of Montenegro and its citizens, on the occasion of the official birthday celebration of His Majesty King Charles III. The friendship between Montenegro and the United Kingdom has outlived many eras and preserved its noble face through centuries of mutual respect and rich experiences. Today, our relations are truly allied within the framework of the NATO alliance – founded on cooperation, solidarity and mutual understanding," said Milatović.
As announced by the President's office, he said that the two countries have been brought together by strong beliefs based on freedom, democracy, justice and human dignity.
"Ever since the Berlin Congress, Montenegro has been recognized in British political and diplomatic circles as a country that has managed to preserve its freedom, honor and statehood. The achievements of that congress still represent the foundations of the modern European order, and in them the name of Montenegro stands tall and steadfast. Our political ties were preceded by cultural ones, formed through numerous testimonies of British travel writers about the courage, strength of spirit and unique character of the Montenegrin people. Poets such as Alfred Tennyson and Lord Byron built bridges of culture between our peoples with their sonnets and verses, some of which left a strong mark among them, such as Tennyson's verses: "O least of nations! Hard rock of a harder land! Throne of freedom, you great Montenegro", said Milatović.
He said that today, when talking about the British crown, one cannot help but emphasize the special role that King Charles III plays in the friendship between the two countries.
"His two visits to Montenegro, in 1978 and 2016 as the Prince of Wales, represent strong symbols of respect and appreciation for our country. These visits, although separated by decades, carry one common message - a message of friendship, sincere support and deep connection between our peoples. It would be a true honor for us if His Majesty and members of the distinguished royal family were to be our guests in Montenegro again in the near future," said Milatović.
He said that the United Kingdom has been one of Montenegro's key partners in modern history - especially after the country regained its independence in 2006.
"Support for democratic transition, strengthening the rule of law, development of institutions and civil society, but also for the foreign policy priorities of our country – membership in NATO and the EU, remains permanently inscribed in the history of our relations. The relationship between Montenegro and the United Kingdom is not accidental, nor fleeting – it is the result of sincere centuries-old mutual respect. May the legacy of that friendship oblige and inspire us – to preserve peace, foster understanding and remain consistent with the ideals of freedom, dignity and democracy," said Milatović.
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