The July 13th Award must reflect the values of anti-fascism, civil society and democracy, the office of President Jakov Milatović announced.
They spoke out after public outcry over the jury's decision to award the July Thirteenth Award, which awarded the highest state award to Bećir Vuković, Veljo Stanišić and Miloš Karadaglić.
Karadaglić refused to accept the Thirteenth of July Award.
"For all of us who love Montenegro, the July 13th Award carries deep symbolism. The values on which we build contemporary Montenegro rest on the foundations of anti-fascism, civil society and democracy, and with them we are paving the way towards full membership in the European Union and the society of developed European democracies," the President's Office announced.
They add that all state awards, and especially the Thirteenth of July Award, must reflect these values.
"This award is not only a recognition of an individual for his contribution, but also a symbol of our history of freedom - on July 13, 1878, when Montenegro received full international recognition as an independent state at the Berlin Congress, and on July 13, 1941, when the uprising against the fascist occupiers was raised. Anyone who decides on the award of the Thirteenth of July Awards must always keep these values in mind. Therefore, we call on all responsible people to return the focus to what is most important for the citizens of Montenegro - respect for the values of community and the systemic changes that we must implement in order to become the first member of the European Union."
The statement also states that Milatović remains committed to the necessary changes in society "which require each of us to respect institutions and work on their further construction, not their meaninglessness and collapse."
Bonus video:
