Between Lake Plav and the Prokletije mountains, in a region rich in cultural heritage, the municipalities of Plav and Gusinje marked Europe Day with a program that brought together culture, tradition, and European values. The Ministry of European Affairs, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro through the EU4ME project, in cooperation with the municipalities of Plav and Gusinje, “Bećo Bašić” Secondary Mixed School, “Džafer Nikočević” Primary School, and the Gusinje Cultural Center, organized a full-day program dedicated to European values, unity, and Montenegro’s European future.
The central part of the program was held at the Cultural Center in Gusinje under the title “From Gusinje and Plav to Brussels: Our European Story,” featuring student performances, recitations of poetry by European authors, music, and folklore. Opening the program, the President of the Municipality of Gusinje, Sanel Balić, said that European values begin precisely in local communities and in the way people and diversity are treated.
“Europe Day reminds us that peace, unity, and mutual respect are the foundation of every society’s progress. It is our responsibility to pass on the values of cooperation, tolerance, and togetherness to future generations, building a local community that is part of a modern and European future,” said Balić.
The President of the Municipality of Plav, Nihad Canović, pointed out that Plav and Gusinje have always nurtured diversity.
“That is why today I will not say that Plav still needs to become part of Europe. I will say something else. Plav lived Europe at a time when that word had not even been spoken here yet. Because we knew that richness lies in diversity, strength in unity, and dignity in the individual,” said Canović.
Speaking about the importance of European standards in the field of labor and social policy, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue Naida Nišić emphasized that Montenegro’s European path implies creating a fairer society for all citizens.
“On the occasion of Europe Day, I would like to emphasize that European values – solidarity, decent work, social justice, and equal opportunities – represent the foundation of our further development. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue remains committed to improving workers’ rights, strengthening social dialogue, and creating better living conditions for all citizens, in line with European standards. Europe Day reminds us that through unity, responsibility, and reforms, we are building a safer and fairer future for everyone,” said Nišić.
Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović stressed that the path toward the European Union contributes to development and greater opportunities.
“Montenegro is rapidly moving toward the European Union, but the greatest value of that journey is not reports and figures, but the opportunities we create for young people to stay here, build their future, and believe that Plav, Gusinje, and the entire north can live by European standards and have a European future,” Šahmanović emphasized.
Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography Damir Gutić pointed to the importance of policies that contribute to a better quality of life for citizens.
“The value system of European citizens is also the goal of the citizens of Montenegro. That is why, through the responsible actions of the state administration, every city, every official, and every individual, we will improve the work of institutions and the awareness of society, so that the citizens of Montenegro formally and genuinely become part of the European family. That is the result citizens expect from this generation of politicians. We know the path. See you in the European Union,” said Gutić.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Poland in Montenegro, Piotr Stachańczyk, stated that European values are built through local communities and concrete changes that citizens feel in everyday life.
“Europe is not something far away, but something we build together every day in our communities. Europe is built locally. It is built through better infrastructure, stronger local economies, higher-quality services, and a cleaner environment. This is exactly where the European path becomes real – where cooperation between national institutions, local authorities, and communities brings concrete benefits to citizens,” said Stachańczyk.
Before the ceremonial program, meetings of delegations were held in the municipalities of Plav and Gusinje, and EU projects in Plav were also presented – an electric vehicle charging station and a project dedicated to the sustainable use of medicinal and aromatic plants.
The celebration in Gusinje concluded the Europe Day program across Montenegro. Through events organized by the Ministry of European Affairs in Herceg Novi, Andrijevica, Cetinje, Kotor, Tuzi, Plav, and Gusinje, the message was sent that Montenegro’s European path is based on unity, cooperation, and the participation of citizens, especially young people, in building a shared European future.