20 May 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković said on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence that on 21 May 2006, 100-year-old historical injustice was corrected and that Montenegro was returned to the world's political map, and that Montenegro then turned to the future instead of the mythological past, as well as that all the events that followed confirmed the correctness of our strategic commitment to integrating Montenegro into the most advanced communities of the modern world: NATO and the European Union.
"We are celebrating the 13th anniversary of the historic referendum. The referendum on which Montenegro restored its natural right - to be on its own. A courageous, wise and patient state policy and the democratic strength of all citizens to make a decisive and dignified decision enabled us to correct the 100 years old injustice, and on 21 May 2006, they returned the name of their country and their people to the world's political map. In the painful experience through which Montenegro went through its history, we learned the most important lesson: that our independence, restored in the referendum on 21 May, is not once and for all. And that its long-term guarantee is the membership of the community of the most developed countries of today, which also preserves the values of a free and democratic society," said Marković.
He added that these are the values of tolerance, coexistence and civil state, as the fundamental principles of not only survival, but also the development of each country. Everything that has happened over the past thirteen years has confirmed the correctness of our strategic commitment to integrating Montenegro into the most advanced communities of the modern world: NATO and the European Union.
"We turned to the future instead to the mythological past - not forgetting the most sacred tradition in which the spirituality, culture, and recognisability of our people survived in the Balkan storms; the traditions that created freedom and anti-fascism as moral values of the society, which enabled us to begin to create a new Montenegro of 21 May - worth respect of every citizen of the country, as well as its allies and partners," Prime Minister Duško Marković said at the reception he hosted for distinguished figures from political and public life, and diplomatic corps, which took place in the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje.
The Prime Minister recalled Montenegro's achievements, with particular emphasis on NATO membership and excellent results in the economic area.
"We are also proud of the economic growth rates that have been among the largest in Europe for the third year in a row. Only based on such a dynamic growth of the economy can we guarantee a better standard of living for all our citizens. Equally in the south and the north, as a result of balanced regional development and a strong investment momentum. Next year, we will complete the construction of the first section of our biggest infrastructure project, the motorway from Smokovac to Mateševo, and then proceed to the continuation of works on other sections. Our state is also a large construction site; and at the same time a prestigious tourist, and growing investment destination. Therefore, Montenegro today and Montenegro thirteen years ago - do not look like one another! These are the results that everyone can see. They are not seen only by those who do not want to see them," the Prime Minister noted at Independence Day celebration in Cetinje.
PM Marković underscored that Montenegro has visibly strengthened the institutions as confirmed by the recent verdict in the most complex trial in the country's history.
"Montenegro's judiciary demonstrated what we call in theory the "power of institutions". Because, every attack on our institutions, in this case on the judiciary, is actually an attack on the State and its existence. We confirmed, therefore, that Montenegro is a state that has the ability and the power to defend itself from the most serious terrorist threats and bring the perpetrators of such acts to justice," said the Prime Minister on the occasion of the celebration of the Independence Day of Montenegro.
The Prime Minister concluding by calling on all political stakeholders to work together for the benefit of the State and society.
"On this occasion, I call on all political stakeholders, including those who do not want to be with us when we celebrate the date of the restoration of our State, to work together for the benefit of the State and its citizens. To achieve this goal, we need what is characteristic of every human being around the planet - love and respect for their state - because it will be the only way in which everyone else will respect it," Prime Minister Duško Marković stressed.
