Smolović: Montenegro chose respect for civil rights, tolerance, European values

The delegation of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje led by the President of the Municipality Petar Smolović, the President of the Assembly Nemša Omerhodžić and the Vice-President Nermin Bećirović laid wreaths today at the Monument to the Fallen Fighters on Freedom Square in Bijelo Polje.

Smolović said that Montenegro is celebrating Statehood Day today, in memory of July 13, 1878, when it was recognized as an independent state at the Berlin Congress and the same date in 1941, when the popular uprising against fascism began.

The laying of wreaths was attended by representatives of councilors in the local parliament and veterans' organizations.

Smolović also said that the ideological foundations of the anti-fascist struggle and its achievements were and will be worthy of generational respect, because man, his freedom and existence, are at the forefront of every form of social organization, and the political core of civil democratic organization.

"Montenegro chose its political-ideological path with the true will of its citizens against the backdrop of respect for civil rights, primarily national, religious and multicultural tolerance. In our foreign policy orientation, we chose European values, and the developed socio-political systems of Europe accepted us as equals, encouraging our development and progress", said Smolović with the message: "On the thirteenth of July, glory, and for us the aspiration, to preserve freedom as the dream of our ancestors and a vow to future generations. That Montenegro is eternal".