“Standing here today, we prove that there is a spirit of new Montenegro. The one which didn’t participate in the war, but respects the victims of all of them that happened in this region – in Velica, Srebrenica or Morinj, as well as all others, regardless of which people, nation or religion they belonged to. That is a spirit of new Montenegro, which wants reconciliation of our fathers, for the sake of the future of our children. The spirit of Montenegro which doesn’t live it’s glorious past, but dreams it’s European future. The spirit of Montenegro which is at peace with everyone, in order to be at peace with itself”, Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović said while laying a wreath together with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Grlić Radman, at the entrance of the former camp in Morinj.

Diplomats of the two countries pointed out that with this act, the respect for the innocent victims was shown. Minister Radulović emphasized that suffering knows no religion, nor nation, and that whose ever it may be, it requires compassion. If the German chancellor Willy Brandt could kneel in front the dark abyss of German past, then we can show the respect towards innocent victims at this place. That is why events, like the one in Morinj, must never happen again. The course of Montenegro is turned towards the EU and its values, mutual respect, cherishment of differences and better understanding, as well as good neighborly cooperation. “That is our interest, our wish and our future. Only through peace in the neighborhood, we can have peace at home, and be at peace with ourselves and building European future for our citizens”, he said, pointing out that the perseverance and dedication to the European agenda is a task of ours, for the sake of the generations who come.

Grlić Radman said that some didn’t survive, and those who did, can hardly forget it, stating that they are standing there in order to bow to the spirits of those, who left their final breath there. He pointed out that it is necessary to remember what happened there, in order for it to never happen again, so the future generations could live in peace and freedom.

“We are here today, together, in order to stay human and move on. As two peoples, as two friendly countries. Our societies, both Croatian and Montenegrin, should move forward. We must look ahead into the future and develop our relations as two friendly and neighborly countries”, Minister Radman said.

Zvonimir Deković, the President of Croatian National Council of Montenegro, in his statement pointed out that the presence of the two ministers presents a great encouragement, since they represent the Governments of two friendly and neighborly countries which send a clear message “it is a true example of honor to save others from yourself”.

Minister Radulović stated that instead of using gunpowder and swords, patriotism is today shown by respect – respect for those who think like you, but even more, those who think differently. To respect our friends and neighbors, Morinj is a warning to never forget this”, Minister Radulović concluded. 

The following is Minister Radulović’s full speech:

Distinguished Minister Radman,

 Excellencies,

 Ladies and gentlemen,

 Thirty years ago, in the twilight of the breakup of a country which gathered our fathers in brotherhood and unity for decades, even before Europe took that path, at this place, on the azure banks of the Adriatic Sea, the spirit of Montenegrin valor and honor went silent. 

 While European countries demolished borders and embraced each other – the honor, unity and respect in this region, was disappearing in front of our very eyes.  Respect for others, respect for human lives, respect for the values which were forged for centuries by our ancestors, Honor was ignored, and the stronger oppressed the weaker.

 Suffering of people is a suffering of humanity – it knows no nation, nor religion. And it is humanely to sympathize with it. It is less important, who, in that war, suffered more, or less, because in the end, the generation of our fathers lost… regrettably, we did too, together with them. If the German chancellor Willy Brandt could kneel in front the dark abyss of German past at the former Warsaw ghetto, then we can show the respect towards innocent victims at this place. As the victim firstly carries their name and surname, and only then their nation and religion, so is crime carried by an individual, who cannot hide behind anyone, for he will be exposed.

 Standing here today, we prove that there is a spirit of new Montenegro. The one which didn’t participate in the war, but respects the victims of all of them that happened in this region – in Velica, Srebrenica or Morinj, as well as all others, regardless of which people, nation or religion they belonged to. That is a spirit of new Montenegro, which wants reconciliation of our fathers, for the sake of the future of our children. The spirit of Montenegro which doesn’t live it’s glorious past, but dreams it’s European future. The spirit of Montenegro which is at peace with everyone, in order to be at peace with itself.

 Today, Montenegro belongs to everybody. No one has more or less right to it. Still, unlike before, during it’s glorious past, instead of using gunpowder and swords, patriotism is today shown by respect – respect for those who think like you, but even more, those who think differently. By respecting our neighbor and friend. Morinj stand as warning to never forget this.

New Montenegro needs exactly that – to disregard our inner divisions, and commit to mutual respect, cherishment of diversity and better understanding. The ancestors of the “whites” and “greens” partisans and chetniks, sovereigntists and unionists in this generation need to create a future for new generations to come. That is the new Montenegro, which in the spirit of Martin Luther King, has a dream about a country of equals, for all its citizens. It is time. We cannot lose a moment more. Events like Morinj must never happen again, for Montenegro, in its new spirit, wishes best relations with its closest neighbors. That is our interest, our wish and our future. Only through peace in the neighborhood we can have peace at home, be at peace with ourselves and build European future for our citizens.

 Thank you