President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović attended the celebration at the British Embassy residence marking the official birthday of King Charles III.
“It is my great pleasure, on behalf of Montenegro and its citizens, to wish success and prosperity to our British friends on the official birthday celebration of His Majesty King Charles III. The friendship between Montenegro and the United Kingdom has outlived many eras and preserved its noble character through centuries of mutual respect and rich experiences. Today, our relations are truly allied within NATO based on cooperation, solidarity, and mutual understanding,” said Milatović.
As stated by the President’s office, Milatović said that the two countries are united by strong convictions founded on freedom, democracy, justice, and human dignity.
“Since the Berlin Congress, Montenegro has been recognized in British political and diplomatic circles as a country that managed to preserve its freedom, honour, and statehood. The achievements of that Congress remain the foundation of the modern European order, with the name of Montenegro standing tall and steadfast within them.
Our political ties were preceded by cultural ones, formed through numerous testimonies by British travellers about the courage, strength of spirit, and unique character of the Montenegrin people. Poets such as Alfred Tennyson and Lord Byron built cultural bridges between our peoples with their sonnets and verses, some leaving a strong mark like Tennyson’s lines: O smallest of nations! Rock of the hardest land! Throne of freedom, you great Montenegro,’” said Milatović.
He added that today, when speaking about the British Crown, one cannot overlook the special role that King Charles III plays in the friendship between the two countries. Milatović said that the United Kingdom has been one of Montenegro’s key partners in modern history especially after the country restored its independence in 2006.
“Support for democratic transition, strengthening the rule of law, development of institutions and civil society, as well as our foreign policy priorities NATO and EU membership remain permanently recorded in the history of our relations. The relationship between Montenegro and the United Kingdom is neither accidental nor temporary it is the result of sincere centuries-long mutual respect.
May the legacy of this friendship oblige and inspire us to preserve peace, nurture understanding, and remain committed to the ideals of freedom, dignity, and democracy,” Milatović said.
“His two visits to Montenegro, in 1978 and 2016, then as the Prince of Wales, represent strong symbols of respect and appreciation for our country. Those visits, though separated by decades, carry one common message a message of friendship, sincere support, and deep connection between our peoples.
It would be a true honour for us if His Majesty and members of the esteemed royal family were once again our guests in Montenegro in the near future,” Milatović concluded.
Written by our correspondent A.A.
