Good day to you from the center of northern Montenegro, from where I can proudly say - today is a good day for all of Montenegro, said the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Montenegro, Johan Sattler.
He said this at the ceremonial opening of the European House in Bijelo Polje. The opening of the third European House in Montenegro was attended, in addition to citizens, by the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović and his associates, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, Mayor of Bijelo Polje Municipality Petar Smolović, Ambassador of Denmark Pernil Dahler Kardel and numerous other guests.
"I have only been in your country for a little over a year and I have traveled all over it, from Pljevlja to Ulcinj. I have met great people, visited many EU projects that change the lives of citizens – but something was missing. And I am pleased that we are addressing this shortcoming today. After Podgorica and Bar, I am delighted that we are opening another, perhaps the most important Europe House – here in Bijelo Polje. Why is today's event special? Because we are opening a new European meeting space that brings the European Union closer to people from the North, but also brings the voice of the North closer to Europe. This is a place where citizens can gather, be informed, learn and actively participate; a place where young people can explore new opportunities and imagine their path to the future with more confidence. Young people like soprano Olivera Tičević, my Vienna native, born in Bijelo Polje, who has conquered concert halls across Europe," said Sattler.
He emphasized that the space of the European House will represent a meeting place for the local community and the European perspective, a center for dialogue, inclusion and cooperation, and a space that reflects the values we share.
"These premises stand as a testament to our partnership. This would not have been possible without the strong cooperation with the Central Bank of Montenegro and the Municipality of Bijelo Polje. I express my sincere gratitude to their leaders, as well as to the many others who contributed to this project, including my team. And I especially thank the mayor for painting Bijelo Polje blue this December," said Satler.
The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, also expressed his satisfaction with the opening of the third European House in Montenegro, emphasizing that the opening of the first European House in the north sends a strong message that Montenegro's accession to the European Union is not just a story of the capital, but is the story of all citizens of Montenegro, especially the north.
"This is a common European home in which I hope that the citizens of Bijelo Polje will work together on European projects and that together, in the coming period, we will have new initiatives and proposals from here, which will be significant for the economic prosperity of the north and for accelerating our European path," said Milatović.
"European Gateway to the North"
The President of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, Petar Smolović, said that the European House represents the door from the north to Europe and from Europe to the north.
"And that is why today we can proudly say that Bijelo Polje is becoming what we have long felt it to be — the European gateway to the north. This space is not just an address; it is a message. The message that European values — the rule of law, solidarity, development and human dignity — live equally in Podgorica, in Brussels and here, in Bijelo Polje. The European House is today becoming a new center of dialogue, support and partnership, a place where our citizens will be able to see that Europe is present, concrete and accessible. For us, who come from an environment that has believed for decades that the north deserves more — this is more than symbolism. This is a sign that the differences between the regions can be reduced, that development does not have to stop halfway, and that European integration belongs to every citizen of Montenegro, regardless of where they live," said Smolović, reminding that Gora today has a clear opportunity to accelerate its path towards the European Union, and that Bijelo Polje has a clear obligation - to be the engine of development of the north, an example of how local governments can be partners with European institutions and state bodies.
That's why today's opening, said Smolović, is seen as the beginning of a new phase of our work.
"A phase in which, together with the EU Delegation and state institutions, we will work more strongly on projects that change people's lives: infrastructure, green energy, environmental protection, culture, education and modern services for citizens. Today we are here together — the President of the state, representatives of the Government, ambassadors of the European Union and the local community. This joint appearance is perhaps the strongest message of this day: that Montenegro progresses when we are united around European values. On behalf of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, I would like to express my gratitude to the EU Delegation and all member states for the support you have been providing to our city for years — through development projects, modernization of administration, support for youth and cultural initiatives," said the first person of the Municipality.
On the occasion of the opening, the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro will present the citizens of Bijelo Polje and all guests with a concert by Amira Medunjanin, which will be held tonight at the Bijelo Polje Cultural Center, starting at 19 p.m.
Bonus video:
