Two centuries ago, the brightest pages of Montenegrin history were written, said President Jakov Milatović, adding that the greatest victory of this generation will be a Montenegro in which people live, work and stay with dignity.
At a reception marking Statehood Day at the residence in Cetinje, Milatović said that the brightest pages of Montenegrin history were written two centuries ago.
"In 1878, when Montenegro was internationally recognized, and in 1941, when it stood up to defend itself from the occupiers. That is why July 13th is a symbol of Montenegrin statehood," said Milatović.
He said that a country is successful when teachers know that even children's silences often indicate a need for support.
"When a doctor sits next to his patient. When a firefighter saves property from a fire. When parents know that their child has a chance. When a judge judges according to the law. When the mayor works on the development of the local community and in the interests of citizens," Milatović added.
He said that the reception also included people who, through their work, take responsibility for Montenegro every day.
"Judges and prosecutors, deans, representatives of municipalities, school and hospital directors, representatives of civil society, culture and media, business people, representatives of veterans' associations and our people from the diaspora," said Milatović.
He said that 148 years ago, on July 13, 1878, Montenegro received international recognition.
"We have been confirmed the right to exist under our own name and to shape our own future. 85 years ago, on July 13, 1941, our ancestors raised an uprising against fascism. They defended life, freedom and dignity," Milatović said.
He said that not everyone was wearing uniforms.
"Some carried only faith, the faith that a person must remain upright when times come when it is easier to remain silent than to speak, easier to kneel than to stand up," said Milatović.
He said that Montenegro's independence was restored 20 years ago.
"We have taken on the responsibility of building the future of our country ourselves. However, just as after July 13th, not all the ideals for which our ancestors laid down their lives were realized, so even after the restoration of independence and democratic changes in 2020 and 2023, we have not achieved everything that citizens rightly expected," said Milatović.
He said that "history teaches us that even the greatest victories are not enough if they are followed by freedom of thought, justice and respect for the dignity of every human being."
According to Milatović, three great dates in Montenegrin history oblige us "to affirm the freedom we have inherited every day by building a more just and successful state and with respect for all our citizens."
"We must never give up on a state in which honesty pays more than fraud, knowledge than obedience, and responsibility than political suitability," Milatović said.
He said that their task is to build Montenegro as a country where young people can study, work, start a family and raise their children in every city with the security they expect from a modern European state.
Milatović said that a little over a month ago, Montenegro hosted the leaders of the European Union (EU) and the Western Balkans in Tivat.
"The EU is not a goal for us because someone expects it of us. It is a natural continuation of the path that began long before us, on the day when Montenegro decided that freedom, dignity and European values would be its permanent orientation, the path that began on July 13," Milatović said.
Therefore, as he added, the European path is not a renunciation of "our identity".
"On the contrary, it is a way to preserve it in a world that respects freedom, that respects law and that, above all, respects man," Milatović added.
He said that "Europe for us is not just a place where we belong."
"That is the way we want to organize our country. Today, that path must mean very concrete things. A doctor's appointment without asking and without knowing. Equal opportunities for a child from the north and a child from Podgorica. A job that can be obtained through knowledge, work and ability," said Milatović.
He added that this journey must also mean a family that can plan for the future.
"And institutions that treat every person with respect. The European job is done here at home, in Montenegro, in our schools, in hospitals, in courts, in municipalities, in companies, in our families," said Milatović.
According to him, European laws and standards are an important guide.
"But they cannot replace our responsibility. No institution outside Montenegro can do our job for us. That job is done by people every day, who come to their workplace every morning to serve the citizens of Montenegro," said Milatović.
He added that "that is why today it is not only the speed of our European path that is being measured."
"The quality of the state we are building is measured. Are the institutions working according to the rules? Does honest work pay off? Do young people see their future here? That is why we have three obligations. Plan, work and result," said Milatović.
He stated that the plan is for the rule of law, quality education, and strong healthcare to be the foundation of the state.
"The work of institutions that by law serve only the citizens of Montenegro and the result that is visible in the life of every family, at home, at school, in the health center, at the workplace, in every village and every city. That is a good and safe life in Montenegro," said Milatović.
Milatović said that "that's why today we are not just celebrating what the generations before us achieved."
"We also celebrate what we have yet to build. Because the state is not a finished work. It is a job that each generation takes on anew. We also celebrate every person who, through their work, knowledge and honesty, leaves Montenegro better than they found it," said Milatović.
He stated that each generation of Montenegro had its own task and its own responsibility.
"This is the task of our generation. To transform the freedom that followed us into a state in which people live with dignity, work and stay," said Milatović.
He stated that this is a country where students know that knowledge is valued and that effort is recognized.
"In which a young man sees a reason and an opportunity to build his future here. In which every man does his job honestly. Believing that in doing so he contributes to his family and his country," he said, is the task of our generation. To transform the freedom that followed us into a country in which a man lives with dignity, in which he works and in which he stays.
This, he added, will be their biggest victory.
"Let us leave to future generations a Montenegro that is fairer, stronger and more worthy of those who created it. Long live Montenegro and happy Statehood Day," said Milatović.
The reception was attended, among others, by Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, Croatian President Zoran Milanović, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, as well as top Montenegrin officials.
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