Today, Montenegro celebrates Statehood Day, 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 Montenegrin people began their uprising against fascism.
President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović said that July 13th is a symbol of statehood and a message that one should never bow down before the force of injustice and dark ideologies.
"For Montenegro, this date is not a holiday, but a day when we built the highest values of freedom, honor and dignity into the foundations of our society. July 13th is a symbol of statehood and a message that we never bow down to the force of injustice and dark ideologies," Milatović emphasized.
He recalled that on July 13, 1978, at the Berlin Congress, Montenegro achieved international recognition.
"It was the moment when the world recognized what the hard-working people of the harsh Montenegrin karst had fought for for centuries - the right to decide their own destiny and to live freely on the land of their ancestors," Milatović said.
As he added, on the same day in 1941, Montenegro wrote a new chapter in history, knowing that there is no price for which freedom is sold.
"The July 13th Uprising was an echo of conscience, deeply embedded in the soul of our people. That historic act of resistance inspired thousands of heroes not to retreat in the years of war before the power of a much more powerful enemy," said Milatović, stating that their sacrifice was not in vain.
He said that from the flame of July 13th was born the ray of freedom that still illuminates the path of Montenegro today.
"Today we are fighting to live in a well-ordered state with strong institutions and clear rules that apply equally to everyone. We are fighting for work to have value, for knowledge and effort to be appreciated, and for no one to be above the law," Milatović said.
He said he was not looking for miracles, just that things be done fairly and in the interest of all.
"In a time when dividing lines are being drawn again, we must keep in mind that Montenegro has always chosen reason over revenge, dignity over humiliation, justice over injustice," Milatović emphasized.
He said that the most beautiful sparks of Montenegrin society are multiethnic harmony and mutual respect, stating that this is the fruit of the consciousness of generations who knew that only through harmony can a common home be built.
"Such a vision was shared by the hardworking pioneers who built modern Montenegro from the ruins after World War II. Their knowledge, hard work and faith in progress have built our healthcare, infrastructure, businesses and educational institutions. Today, we look forward with equal determination to the European future, which we are creating on the principles of equality and mutual respect," said Milatović.
He emphasized that the future is not waited for, but built, and freedom is conquered anew every day.
"Montenegro must be a country where work pays off, honesty is respected and every voice is heard. This is not a matter of nostalgia, it is our obligation and the path towards the European Union," Milatović said.
He said that Montenegro wants to be side by side with the most developed European democracies, but in order to succeed in this, it must be a country with strong, professional and independent institutions, where the law applies equally to everyone.
"A country in which the Constitution is respected as the foundation of the legal order, in which economic development is based on sustainable foundations and which carefully preserves its resources," added Milatović.
He said that he is not looking for miracles, but to create a system that works for everyone in Montenegro, not just the privileged.
"I am not asking for anything more, just a chance to be who we truly are – part of a free and democratic Europe. Therefore, on the path to success, may the bright days of our past and the efforts of our ancestors be a lasting inspiration to build this most beautiful part of the planet as a common home, a house of justice, security, dignity and prosperity for each of our citizens," Milatović concluded.
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