PM Lukšić at South East European Gathering in Budva: Montenegro fine exapmle of respecting diversity

Budva, Montenegro (26 May 2012) – Prime Minister Igor Lukšić attended today the 9th annual South East European Gathering, which takes place in Budva, Montenegro, on 25 - 27 May. 

Taking part in the session entitled “United in Diversity”, the Prime Minister noted that Montenegro, as well as other countries of the world, has encountered numerous challenges throughout its history, but is also a fine example of how the understanding of diversities and respect for opponents can serve as a fundament for building a modern democratic society.

The Montenegrin society, according to PM Lukšić, is based on freedom.

“Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, rule of law, equal rights for all, gender equality, right to choose and respect for others are the fundamental values that we have been cherished in Montenegro. To belong to Montenegro means to be committed to these values. To share these values means to share values of the modern world,” he underlined.

The notion of togetherness is not new, PM Lukšić noted.

“The global togetherness has been recognised by Woodrow Wilson in the League of the Nations, forerunner of the United Nations. For Schuman, Monnet, Adenauer and others, the idea of united Europe became a prerequisite for the old continent's development,” Prime Minister Lukšić said.

In that context, he stressed the significance of the global organisations, such as the UN, the IMF, the World Bank and the EU, as the places where joint political and economic actions have been created.

Nowadays, PM Lukšić remarked, the world has been dealing with issue such as poverty, unemployment, low education and low level of activity on labour market, as well as with the challenges caused by the globalisation, climate changes and financial crises.

Dialogue and cooperation should be crucial in the efforts to give an efficient reply to the challenges of the modern world, to strengthen economies and create an environment that cherishes common values, he said.

He concluded by saying that the joint reply should also have a certain level of diversity.

“Different points of view are the reflection of our mature relations. We can agree or disagree on certain issues and still find the best possible solutions thanks to that diversity. Aware of the fact that multiculturalism and tolerance are our future,” PM Lukšić emphasised.