PM Đukanović: Restoration of independance first remarkable Montenegro's victory in which there were no losers

Podgorica, Montenegro (21 May 2014) – “By restoring independence, we have not created Montenegro that meets all the needs of its citizens, nor the standards of developed European countries, but we have opened up a possibility and responsibility to create such a society and make it more developed and stable. The quality and reputation of our state, but also the destiny of the ideas that won on 21 May 2006, will depend on how successful the job is done,” Prime Minister Milo Đukanović underlined at a reception on the occasion of Montenegro’s Independence Day.

The Prime Minister said the memory of the date on which Montenegro's independence was peacefully restored eight years age swells with pride.

“It was the major step forward in recent history in this part of Europe. The first remarkable Montenegro's victory in which there were no losers,” he emphasised.

Prime Minister Đukanović said Montenegro is nowadays a leader in the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the most prosperous economy in the Western Balkan, a good neighbour and international partner, and an example of stability and multi-ethnicity.

“From the least developed former Yugoslav republic, Montenegro has become the most prosperous economy in the Western Balkans. It can serve as an example for its stability and respect for diversity and multi-ethnicity. A reliable neighbour, as confirmed in all circumstances, even today, when we express solidarity with our friends in floods-stricken Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. We have become a respected international partner, a leader in the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The results we have been achieving are even more significant as, after the first few years of economic upswing, they have been achieved at the time of a devastating global economic crisis,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

“Investments and the development based on competitive entrepreneurship, along with the uncompromising rule of law and the quality of institutions, a need to rely on knowledge, skills and professionalism - this is the way to overcome the legacy of weakness, divisions and backwardness. This is the only way of measuring success of the state and its citizens,” Montenegro’s Prime Minister concluded.