“Today, as we celebrate Europe Day, we remind ourselves that our goals extend far beyond the membership. We are sincerely striving to create a society where we can live with dignity, feel secure, and have equal opportunities for advancement and development,” stated Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, during the European Tour event held in Pljevlja.
The Minister noted that the event in Pljevlja serves as an opportunity to reflect on the values that unite us, to celebrate our shared future, and to strengthen our commitment to European goals.
“I am proud that Europe Day will be presented today in the most beautiful light by children, who will convey through song and dance the values of the European Union, such as unity, solidarity, and peace. These are also the values that Montenegro, and especially Pljevlja, have long cherished,” Gorčević stated.
She added that high-level discussions were held at the Western Balkans Summit in Kotor regarding the Growth Plan, which is a new form of assistance and support provided by the European Union.
“I mention this because I want to assure you that the process of the European integration does not belong solely to politicians but to all of you who can equally contribute to Montenegro becoming the next member of the European Union,” Gorčević emphasised.
Dario Vraneš, the President of the Municipality, highlighted that when we say the word Europe, we immediately think of freedom, the respect for fundamental human rights, and we also reflect on our past and what our future holds. He recalled the historical and cultural development of the Municipality, from the Middle Ages to today, and highlighted some of the most important achievements in building the European spirit of Pljevlja.
“What do we want today? We want freedom, equality, justice, and equal rights for everyone. This is the clear goal set by the current local government: equal rights for all. We do not believe that European values are only European funds and European money. We want a spiritual, cultural, and economic revival because one cannot exist without the other. We believe these are the values that the European Union upholds and that we will very soon find ourselves fully within the family of European nations,” Vraneš stated.
Ljiljana Đondović, the Pljevlja Municipality Manager, said that by accepting the postulates of the European Union, we are paving the way to a better future. As she noted, this is a step towards improving the quality of life for all citizens and creating an environment that promotes economic growth, social inclusion, and access to better services.
“Pljevlja is a multinational city proud of its wealth of diversity, different cultural identities, and traditions, which form the foundation of our strength and creativity. Diversity enriches us in many ways—it contributes to our artistic expression, fosters understanding among people, and creates an open and inclusive society. We are learning to appreciate and celebrate what makes us different, as it is precisely in that diversity that we find the strength that unites us,” Đondović stated.
Liselotte Isaksson, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Sector at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, expressed her satisfaction that the Municipality of Pljevlja joined the celebration of Europe Day by organising wonderful activities focused on music, culture, and Pljevlja’s cultural heritage, stating that today Pljevlja represents the best of Europe.
“I see that that the children, students, and artists are already ready to celebrate the EU and our common European values through dance, music, and art. This clearly shows that we share a joint vision of Montenegro becoming part of the EU family in the very near future,” Isaksson stated.
She added that as Montenegro accelerates its path towards the EU, municipalities across the country must become more active and more involved in the European integration process.
“This will enable citizens to become familiar with the EU in light of the many opportunities that the EU integration process offers, even before the accession, aimed to benefit the quality of life through various supporting models, projects. and programmes,” Isaksson stated.
A rich programme at the “13th July” Square showcased the wealth of Pljevlja’s culture and art through the participation of local cultural and artistic societies, such as “Volođa” and “Pljevlja”, the City Tambura Orchestra, the “Sonrisa” dance club, as well as children and youth with developmental difficulties from the JU “Day Centre” and NGO “Ray of Hope.”
The celebration in Pljevlja concluded the “European Tour,” which was organised by local governments in cooperation with the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro within the EU4ME programme, and with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro.
The name “European Tour” symbolises the dynamics and energy with which Montenegro approaches the process of the European integration, highlighting the importance of movement, progress, and unity. Under this symbolic slogan, a series of diverse events were held in several Montenegrin municipalities, including Bar, Nikšić, Mojkovac, Berane, Žabljak, Petnjica, and Pljevlja during the month of May to celebrate Europe Day, all with the aim of strengthening the European spirit and identity and celebrating Montenegro’s European future.