Parliamentary Assembly

Mr President, Secretary General, distinguished members of parliament, ladies and gentleman, it is a great pleasure and honour for me to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as the President of the Republic of Montenegro. I express my sincere gratitude for this opportunity.

It has been almost four months since Montenegro became a member of the Council of Europe and during the year that preceded accession, we demonstrated our determination to be a responsible and active member of this truly pan-European Organisation. That will continue to be our lasting commitment and interest. Montenegro appreciates support and assistance for its membership, as well as for the reforms achieved in line with the standards of the Council of Europe.

We express our appreciation to the experts of the Council of Europe, especially the Venice Commission. We are also grateful to the Parliamentary Assembly and its rapporteurs who recommended our accession to the Council of Europe, indicating at the same time our most important commitments in the future. I would like to assure you once more that we are sincerely devoted to honouring those commitments and achieving the goals and overall mission of the Council of Europe.

“Montenegro is willing to fulfill all assumed commitments in a diligent and persistent manner for the benefit of our citizens and the region as a whole.”

Recent accession to the Council of Europe has given fresh and highly important encouragement for the unstoppable process of the integration of Montenegro in European structures, with full respect for democracy and the rule of law and affirmation of all European values.

Both in region and time, Montenegro is exposed to many challenges that call for maximum respect for a civic, open and democratic society. By overcoming the differences and demonstrating that a common interest is priceless, we will continue to be an example of multi-ethnic and multireligious harmony that guarantees our European future. During the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, Montenegro demonstrated that such harmony was its greatest value, which made it possible for us to preserve peace, human life and material goods. As a result of disharmony, we provided shelter for many refugees, who enjoyed our hospitality regardless of their national or religious affiliation.

At the referendum on the state’s status, which was organised in line with the highest European standards, we demonstrated to the international community a high level of democratic maturity, which should be our everlasting value. Embracing and implementing the Council of Europe’s standards in all areas, particularly with regard to the protection of human and minority rights, guarantees that and other values, as well as the European integration of Montenegro.

Montenegro has been aware of its responsibility with regard to its future and the European future of the region. Our strategic and constant priority on foreign policy is to affirm that we have good neighbourly relations and regional co-operation. Wider integrations are not possible without that regional co-operation. Bearing in mind past events that marked the western Balkans, the affirmation of friendship and regional co-operation is a crucial obligation for all countries in that part of Europe. It is also of great interest to Europe that we facilitate and speed up the integration of the western Balkans because Europe will have the full value of its integration only if those countries are part of such a Europe.

In respect of good neighbourly relations and regional co-operation, Montenegro is proud that it has no open issues with its neighbours and that it participates in numerous regional initiatives and organisations. After becoming a member of the south-eastern European co-operation process in May this year, Montenegro also became a member of almost all regional organisations in the framework of the Adriatic-Ionian initiative last June, thus gaining the possibility of contributing to achieving their goals.

Montenegro is proud that it has demonstrated to the international community its commitment to respect and promote full protection of human rights and the rule of law. We have also co-operated fully with The Hague tribunal, being aware of the importance of the reconciliation process in the western Balkan region. We believe that the international community has recognised our commitment to achieve its integration goals as soon as possible, while respecting the highest international standards.

The fight against organised crime and illegal migration is at the top of our agenda. The governmental national commission for the execution of the action plan for the implementation of the programme of the fight against corruption and organised crime was recently established in Montenegro. It will certainly contribute to the importance and dynamics of this imperative national commitment. Montenegro’s readiness to curb illegal migration has also been confirmed by signing the readmission agreement with the European Union, by which we became partners in this significant process.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured by your invitation to address the Assembly, and I would like to underline once again that Montenegro is willing to fulfil all assumed commitments in a diligent and persistent manner. We will do that to achieve a highly developed democratic society that is ready to be an equal partner and member of the family of European countries and nations. I express my gratitude to all of you who have continuously supported reform and democratic processes in Montenegro.

I am sure that Montenegro will keep on demonstrating its devotion to European values and, with the assistance of the Council of Europe and other European organisations, will proceed on its path of democratic and overall development to the benefit of its citizens and the region as a whole. Therefore, Montenegro will continue to be a reliable partner in improving the goals and promoting the values of the Council of Europe.

Thank you for your attention.