The Ministry of European Affairs (MEP) announced that with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro through the EU4ME project, in cooperation with the Municipality and the Public Institution "Ivan Goran Kovačić" Secondary School, Europe Day was marked in Herceg Novi.
As stated in the statement, Europe Day in Herceg Novi was marked through a cultural and artistic program that brought together students, professors, representatives of institutions and citizens.
The celebration, as added by the government department, was dedicated to the values of togetherness, mutual understanding and connection between people, which the students of the Herceg Novi high school presented through music, drama and visual expression.
Opening the program, the Vice President of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, Ivan Otović, said that Europe Day represents an opportunity to once again reaffirm the values that unite European communities.
He added that Herceg Novi confirms its European orientation through its leading position in the country in terms of the number of implemented IPA projects implemented with the support of European Union funds.
"Our city has shown that the local community can be a strong driver of European integration and an example of the successful use of available development mechanisms. Our vision is Herceg Novi as a strongly connected and internationally recognized city, positioned on the European map as a meeting place for cultures and as a reliable partner in regional and European cooperation processes," said Otović.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Montenegro for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović emphasized that this year's celebration of Europe Day has special significance in the year when Montenegro marks two decades since the restoration of independence and stands on the threshold of achieving its most important strategic goal - membership in the European Union.
"This process is not just a set of reforms – it is a fundamental social change that enriches the daily lives of our citizens and communities. At the same time, it brings new strength to the development of our municipalities – through support for agriculture, improvement of local infrastructure, environmental protection and creation of a better quality living space. By strengthening institutions and the rule of law, we are building a society in which trust is taken for granted, and security becomes a shared value," said Ivanović.
Program Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Orlando Fusco, said that the idea of Europe is simple, but powerful - that countries and people are stronger when they work together, and that European values are best built through togetherness, culture, and local communities.
"This idea has shaped Europe for more than 70 years and its importance today is no less. This month, across Montenegro, we see this idea in action – through culture, music, sport and local tradition, as we celebrate Europe Day together in cities across the country. Moments like these bring people together. They make Europe tangible and close. They show that Europe is not something distant, but something we build together every day – in our villages, cities and neighbourhoods," said Fusco.
MEP adds that the cultural and artistic program "I can do it alone, but I don't have to" was held in the "Park" hall, where school students sent messages of togetherness, empathy and mutual support through music, drama and visual expression.
"The program inspired by freedom, solidarity and connecting people was particularly marked by a segment from the musical "Hair", which brought the spirit of togetherness and freedom. The exhibition "Hands" was also presented in parallel, through which the students symbolically depicted friendship, warmth and connection between people," the statement said.
The director of the Ivan Goran Kovačić Secondary School, Ljiljana Karanović, thanked the students and professors who participated in the implementation of the program, emphasizing the importance of art and education in promoting togetherness and mutual understanding among young people.
"Europe Day is not the only day when we talk about values, but it is an opportunity to remind ourselves of what is important to all of us - freedom for young people to express themselves, cooperation, mutual support and joint progress. It is through good cooperation between schools, local communities and all relevant institutions that we show how important it is to support each other and build an environment in which young people have the space to develop their knowledge, ideas and potential," Karanović pointed out.
As part of the celebration of Europe Day in Herceg Novi, a tour of the EU project SINERGY was organized, as well as an official meeting of delegations of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, the Government of Montenegro and representatives of the Delegation of the European Union, during which they discussed European integration, local development and the importance of European projects for improving the quality of life of citizens.
"The celebration of Europe Day, organized by the Ministry of European Affairs, is being organized throughout Montenegro, and in addition to Herceg Novi, programs will also be held in Andrijevica, Cetinje, Kotor, Tuzi, Plav and Gusinje during May," it concludes.
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