The declaration on the ecological state was the starting point of modern Montenegro, which led to its independence, membership in NATO and a step towards membership in the European Union (EU), Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović said.
In Podgorica, he opened the Ministerial Conference "Endowment of the Future", which is organized by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism in accordance with the Budapest and Sofia guidelines for cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Đukanović reminded that today the parliament in Žabljak declared Montenegro an ecological state.
"The declaration on the ecological state is the starting point of modern Montenegro, which ultimately led to independence, membership in NATO and a step towards membership in the EU," said Đukanović, stating that the country is committed to the priorities of strategic development.
"The unshakable determination to return the country and the region to our natural civilizational home in Europe does not diminish the desire to preserve and develop our traditional friendships," said Đukanović.
According to him, the most important aspirations of Montenegrin state policy are accelerated economic growth and institutional development, as the most reliable foundation for the efficient rule of law and full Europeanization of Montenegrin society.
"The priorities defined in this way emphasize our responsibility for a smart response to the development challenge facing humanity," said Đukanović.
According to him, one of the most complex puzzles of all countries is how to find the optimal formula of interdependence between two universal goals - economic growth and preservation of a healthy environment.
"Not only is it possible, but it is an imperative of responsibility towards the planet and the generations of our descendants. We cannot postpone that answer or transfer it to someone who will do the work after us, because any delay means wasting the chances of resources and limits the possibility of future development", said Đukanović.
As he said, Montenegro will not turn a blind eye to these challenges, but will design models that will lead to the establishment of a sustainable balance between goals.
"That's why intensive cooperation of all partners is needed. The 16+1 mechanism proved to be a platform on which mutual trust and cooperation between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and China is strengthened," said the Montenegrin president.
According to him, it is a privilege for Montenegro that implies a full commitment to the preservation of the environment as one of the most important segments.
"I believe that cooperation within the framework of this mechanism will make it even easier for us to fulfill our obligations under Chapter 27, as well as later in the criteria for its closure. In order to achieve our goals, we must exchange best practices and apply standards that contribute to the improvement of the environment," said Đukanović.
The Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro, Pavle Radulović, said that the idea is to additionally promote the 16+1 initiative on the topic of jointly defined priorities, through a strong and sustainable mechanism, such as the mechanism for the environment.
This should, as he said, strengthen cooperation and contribute to solving environmental issues through long-term and sustainable measures.
"I believe that China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will continue to share a common vision, which through the mechanism will focus on the synergy of relevant national development strategies and deepen cooperation," said Radulović.
As he said, Montenegro is committed to strengthening regional cooperation.
"Protection of the environment and sustainable development of the region enables the improvement of the quality of life, the preservation of natural resources and the encouragement of smart inclusive climate-sustainable development." We must always be guided by the thought that we did not inherit this planet from our ancestors, but borrowed it from our descendants," concluded Radulović.
The special representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China for Cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Huo Yuzhen, said that the conference and initiative is a step forward to implement the guidelines from Budapest, as well as a step further towards the sustainable development of all 17 member states.
"Environmental protection is a new sector of this mechanism and a new part of cooperation that we consider important, especially for the sustainable development of the countries of the world. All those countries are investing significantly in that area, and the results are satisfactory," said Eugen.
According to her, Montenegro is a country where it is nice to live and which is wonderful in itself.
"That's why the establishment of this environmental protection mechanism is one of the most important," said Eugene.
The Minister of Ecology and the Environment of China, Li Ganjie, said that living in a clean world and preserving the planet is one of the basic common goals of all humanity.
"China is making significant efforts to improve its own environmental efforts through international cooperation," Ganđije said.
According to him, through similar initiatives, opportunities for interactions between countries from all over the world are opened up.
"China is willing to improve cooperation and that is why we invite all members to participate in the initiative. We want to strengthen the work to preserve the environment and to strengthen the dialogue at the global level," Ganđije said.
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