Spajić: European Montenegro is the idea that unites us today, let's choose trust instead of division

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence that Montenegro is today connected by the vision of a European state and membership in the European Union, assessing that the country has never been closer to achieving that goal.

At a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence, Spajić said that the strength of a state does not rest on territory, the army, or artificial unity, but on the ability of citizens to transform differences into a common vision, and then fulfill that vision to the end.

"Two decades after the restoration of independence, Montenegro has an idea that unites and guides it - and that is a European Montenegro and the project of a united Europe, perhaps the last true peace project in the world," said Spajić.

He assessed that the referendum on independence was a major, but only the first step towards state building, emphasizing that the foundations of independence are being strengthened today through the development of institutions, the rule of law, and European standards.

"Montenegro is not what we have, but what we choose to be every day. For any small country to be eternal, it must be excellent. And this is not possible without excellent people, who make excellent decisions, without harmony and peace with neighbors, without the rule of law and merging the vision of those generations that have life experience worthy of respect with those who carry new values ​​and skills. All of this is made possible by the vision of a European Montenegro in which we do not lose ourselves and our uniqueness, but rather give it a new dimension through formal membership in the society of the best," Spajić said.

According to him, the European path is not a desire of Brussels, but a need of the citizens of Montenegro who want to live better, fairer and safer lives.

"Europe is not a political goal or a desired destination. It is a mirror in which we see what we want to be - a state that protects its citizens, upholds the rule of law and respects everyone's dignity. And what we call European standards is essentially a measure of our readiness to be an orderly society - a conscious choice, not an obligation," the Prime Minister said.

He assessed that the greatest success of independent Montenegro today is that it is a beautiful place to live and that there is no longer discrimination, but he emphasized that society must cultivate respect for different opinions and mutual appreciation.

"The most important question is not where we were two decades ago, but what we want to become in twenty years. Do we want to be a society of division or a society of trust? Do we look at each other through our differences or through what unites us? Do we want a Montenegro that closes in or a Montenegro that moves forward?" Spajić asked.

He called on citizens to choose a society of trust instead of division and a Montenegro that moves forward, emphasizing that responsibility for the future of the state lies not only with institutions and politicians, but with all citizens.

"Let this anniversary be a reminder of what we can do when we are together, but also of our duty, as individuals and as a society, to be better, braver, and more united than we have been," said the Prime Minister.

Spajić said that the historical role of the current generation is the battle for the European Union and the generations to come, assessing that this goal transcends political, identity and party divisions.

"History does not knock on the same door twice. So let's open it together," concluded the Prime Minister, congratulating citizens on Independence Day with the message: "May Montenegro be eternal."