Montenegrin diplomacy gave crucial support to the determination of Montenegrin citizens to correct a grave historical injustice and restore state independence in 2006, said Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin at the ceremony of awarding diplomas to the 12th generation participants of the "Gavro Vuković" Summer School for Young Diplomats in Podgorica tonight.
Pažin, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP), said that multilateralism, which is the main theme of this year's Summer School program, is the natural choice and foreign policy focus of contemporary Montenegro, as a country that inherits the values of peace, solidarity and cultural, ethnic and religious tolerance.
"Montenegro's future goals are closely related to multilateralism, bearing in mind our effort to provide a higher quality of life for our citizens, implementing reforms that will prepare us to become a first-order member of the European Union," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
He added that the integration of the entire region of Southeast Europe into the European Union is the only way to achieve the historic mission of spreading peace and prosperity throughout the European continent.
Membership in NATO, Pažin assessed, brought lasting peace and security to our country.
"By joining NATO, they became only part of the community of democratic states ready to defend and protect each other and our common values," Pažin said.
He also reminded that Montenegro lost its state independence at the Paris Peace Conference, which ended the First World War.
"Montenegro has felt what it means to be without a diplomatic voice and a seat at the table where the fate of the country is decided," emphasized Pažin, adding that, as stated in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Montenegro learned this bitter historical lesson very well.
Pažin assessed that in 2006 multilateral diplomacy played a decisive role for our country.
"This time, diplomacy gave decisive support to the determination of our citizens to correct this grave historical injustice and restore the state independence of Montenegro. Since then, diplomacy has been one of the key factors of every international success of the renewed Montenegrin state."
According to the permanent representative of UNDP in Montenegro, Daniela Gašparikova, multilateral cooperation was rightly chosen as the main theme of this year's Summer School, since in the time of rapid changes and uncertainty, countries cannot afford the luxury of acting closed within their own national borders.
"In this context, this Summer School has already overcome all borders and become recognizable all over the world," emphasized the permanent representative of UNDP in Montenegro.
The program of the 12th Summer School for Young Diplomats "Gavro Vuković" was attended by about 50 young diplomats from more than 30 countries. The main topic of this year's Summer School, which is traditionally organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, with the support of the UNDP Office in Podgorica, was the importance of multilateral diplomacy in preserving international peace and security.
Also, the Summer School was an opportunity for the participants to get acquainted with the Montenegrin history, culture and potential of our country, and to establish the foundations of future cooperation.
Over the past twelve years, the Montenegrin Summer School "Gavro Vuković" was attended by more than 550 young diplomats and future decision-makers from more than 70 countries, who were taught skills and knowledge in this field by the world's most respected professors and diplomats.
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