Podgorica, (MINA) –Europe Day lies on a simple but powerful idea – that countries and people are stronger when they work together, said Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Riccardo Sreri.

The “Municipalities for the EU” project team announced that, with strong messages of unity and a European perspective, Niksic celebrated Europe Day on Friday, bringing together institutions, international partners, young people and citizens in a joint celebration of European values.

At the “Niksic Celebrates Europe Day” event, Serri emphasized the EU’s continued support for reform processes and Montenegro’s European path.

“Europe Day lies on a simple but powerful idea – that countries and people are stronger when they work together”, Serri said.

That idea, he added, has shaped Europe for more than 70 years and remains just as important today.

Niksic Municipal President Marko Kovacevic said that Montenegro, although far from European integration for a long time, is steadily moving towards the place where it belongs through its tradition, culture and historical heritage.

“If we cannot be the foundation of the EU, we can be its roof and part of that great and important story, which brings progress to this nation and liberation from the totalitarian ideologies that burdened the entire world in the 20th century. That is why today we are determined to celebrate this day in exactly this way, with our children, with those who are the future of our country, wanting to provide them with better living conditions and spare than from going through what previous generations in Montenegro and the region experienced”, said Kovacevic.

Slovakia’s Ambassador to Montenegro, Eva Ponomarenkova, pointed out the importance of cooperation and exchange of experiences between member states and candidate countries.

Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Andjela Jaksic Stojanovic pointed out that Montenegro’s education system has made historic progress towards modernization and harmonization with contemporary European standards, but that the most important period is yet to come.