A ceremony was held in Vienna to mark the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence and the Statehood Day of Montenegro.

The Embassy of Montenegro in Austria and the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the UN, OSCE and other international organizations in Vienna organized a ceremony to mark 20 years since the restoration of independence and July 13, the Statehood Day of Montenegro.

The Ambassador of Montenegro to Austria, Stanica Andjić, recalled the significance of the jubilee, as well as the symbolism of Statehood Day.

"Marking twenty years since the restoration of independence, Montenegro proudly looks back on the path it has taken as a modern European state, building its development on the values ​​of freedom, democracy and cooperation," said Andjic.

Emphasizing that it is precisely relations with Austria that confirm how mutual trust and shared values ​​build lasting friendships and achieve common strategic goals, she pointed out that Austria is not only one of our most important partners, but also a sincere friend and ally on the European path, and that partnership and bilateral relations are stronger today than ever and represent an example of successful cooperation at all levels.

The Permanent Representative to the UN, OSCE and other international organizations, Ambassador Đorđe Radulović, recalled that 20 years ago, Montenegro restored its independence through democracy, opting for a European future, good neighborly relations and an active role in the international community.

Stressing that in a time of increasingly complex global challenges, multilateralism represents an indispensable framework for preserving peace, security, and a rules-based international order, he also referred to Montenegro's European path.

"The European Union flag that will fly over Montenegro will not only be a confirmation of the successful enlargement policy in the Western Balkans, but will also symbolize the completion of the long historical journey of a people and a state that has finally taken the place it has always belonged to - in the family of democratic, developed and free European states," said Radulović.

The artistic part of the program featured the Montenegrin soprano Ena Topčibašić, who has achieved notable performances on prestigious European opera stages, including the Vienna State Opera, and in cooperation with the Music Center of Montenegro, the ceremony was also enhanced by the quartet of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra consisting of Marija Đuranović, Sonja Vukčević, Uroš Lapčević and Vladimir Drobnjak.

As part of the ceremony in Vienna, the exhibition of the State Archives of Montenegro "Consular Representations of Montenegro 1880–1914" was opened, which was presented to the Austrian audience for the first time, while guests had the opportunity to learn about the rich cultural and tourist potential of our country through promotional video content from the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro and an exhibition of works by artist Jovana Đurđenović.

The event was attended by more than 300 guests, including representatives of Austrian institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organizations headquartered in Vienna, the economic, cultural and public life of Austria, as well as representatives of the Montenegrin diaspora, the academic community and numerous friends of Montenegro.