Podgorica, (MINA) - Montenegro is not celebrating anyone’s defeat, or “separation from Serbia”, but the freedom on which it is founded and the right of both countries to independently decide on their future, announced the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Reacting to claims coming from Serbia regarding the celebration of Montenegro’s Independence Day, the Ministry said that Montenegro has no need to debate its statehood, because it is older than many European countries, was internationally recognized as early as the 19th century and restored its independence through the democratic will of the citizens in 2006.

The Ministry emphasized that Montenegro “does not celebrate anyone’s defeat or separation from Serbia”.

“On the contrary – we are celebration our freedom on which we are founded, as well as the right of both countries to independently decide on their future”, said the Ministry.

The press release states that Montenegro respects modern and independent Serbia, as well as the right of its citizens to develop their country in accordance with their own democratic choice.

“It is for this reason that we believe that it is high time that the political discourse in the region be freed from the narrative about the alleged endangerment of anyone in Montenegro”, the MFA pointed out.

The Ministry emphasized that Montenegro is a civil, multi-ethnic and multi-religious state in which the rights of all citizens are protected by the Constitution and laws, in accordance with European standards.

The Ministry said that the attempts to present any insistence of Montenegro on its own identity, language, culture and historical continuity as an act against Serbia or the Serbian people are of particular concern.

Such an approach, the MFA points out, is not a contribution to reconciliation, but a continuation of the politics of division, which has no place in modern Europe.

“We believe that the relations between Montenegro and Serbia can be at their best when they are based on mutual respect, equality and abandoning the rhetoric of the past”, the Ministry pointed out.