Prime Minister Milo Đukanović awarded with “Golden Biatec 2014”: Great honour for Montenegro

Bratislava, Slovakia (16 May 2014) – Informal Economic Forum (IEF) - Economic Club located in Slovakia awarded Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Đukanović with the International Golden Biatec 2014 for his efforts made towards creating stabile and multiethnic Montenegro, as well as for his personal contribution to promoting European values in the Western Balkans.

Founder and Chairman the IEF Club Peter Kasalovsky stressed that this year’s award is given to the Montenegrin Prime Minister because he was the first one to oppose destructive politics of Slobodan Miliošević, which caused conflicts among nations of the ex-Yugoslavia.

“He protected Montenegro from the NATO air strikes on the ex Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999. By pursuing a pragmatic and visionary policy, he managed to preserve the country from war conflicts in late ‘90s. He also made the dream for independent Montenegro come true and had enough capacity to transform the tinniest and the least developed ex Yugoslavian republic into a state which is now a symbol of political and economic stability, as well as a symbol of multiethnic and religious tolerance and harmony”, Mr Kasalovsky explained.

Prime Minister Đukanović underlined the award is a great honour not only for him, but for Montenegro as well.

“I am particularly honoured by the fact that Montenegro and its role in the dissolution of Yugoslavia and later in the process of independence restoration have been recognised. The award is just another confirmation of our leadership role in European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes”, PM Đukanović pointed out.

“To be honest, I am really proud of being part of the team which has been managing these processes for quarter century”, PM Đukanović said, adding that Slovakia is a good example that reform process can only bring long-term benefits to a country.

The Golden Biatec recognises exceptional contribution to economic, public, and political life in the Slovak Republic and internationally. Biatec is the name of a coin from the first century BC, found in the area of Bratislava and the most ancient proof of using the letter on the the Slovak territory.

Prime Minister Đukanović joins the list of previous winners, including Former US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Former French President Jacques Chirac, former President of the European Commission Jacques Santer and others.