Montenegro

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Đukanović Spoke Before UN General Assembly in New York

STATEMENT by H.E. Mr. Milo Đukanović
Prime Minister of the Republic of Montenegro
at the 61" Session of the United Nations General Assembly
New York, September 20, 2006

Madam President,
Mr. Secretary- General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to first welcome the election of Madam Sheikha Haja Rashed Al Khalifa, the distinguished representative of Bahrain as President of the Sixty-Fírst session of the General Assembly, confident that it will result ín important decísions in common interest. It is with particular pride and emotion that I wish to recall the prevíous, Sixtieth session during which many decisíons important for this organization were made. In Montenegro it will be remembered as historic, since it was then that our nation was admitted as a fullyfledged Member of this unique world organizatíon. I wish to thank the UN Secretary General, the President of the Jubilee Session, Mr. Eliasson, as well as the other distinguished representatives of nations in this forum for havíng contributed to making the ceremony of Montenegro's admíssion as the 192nd Member State of the UN so uplifting.

Madam President,

It is a great honour and pleasure to represent at this session Montenegro, which for the first time participates in the debate as a fully-fledged Member. As the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic already stressed speaking from this rostrum, we see this as a huge chance, as well as responsibility. Montenegro is a young European nation, existing on its own on the international scene for a few months only. But she is firmly determined to continue with even more strength to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity, by respecting and promoting the underlyíng ideas, principles and goals of the UN and its documents. I am strongly convinced that in the time in which we live the importance of a state, big or small, primaríly depends on her contribution to the respect for and implementation of these fundamental international values and standards. Thís is relevant ín both a regional and a broader context.

It is in the nature of small states to be more sensítive to the need for tolerance and dialogue, for openness and international relations based on mutual trust, equality and solidarity. Also to the value of unity in diversity, which is the axiom of this time and of global integration and the basis on which today's Montenegro is developing. In thís sense I would add that small nations are destined to be elitist. I hope that it is not presumptuous to say that Montenegro promoted these principles best in the recent plebiscite that we organized in full partnership with the EU, OSCE and the Councíl of Europe, proving that even ín Southeast Europe the most difficult and the most sensitive issues such as the status issue can be tackled in a democratic fashion and in accordance with the highest international standards. We are therefore proud to stress that the democratic process and outcome of the Montenegrin referendum is also a European policy victory ín our region, confident that through this example we can contribute to stability and good-neighbourly policy in our region.

Indeed, regional co-operation is inseparable from European and global integratíon, which are essentially about issues of peace, stability, security and prosperíty. The more so, as the globalisatíon which is gaining momentum confronts us with new challenges and new threats of political, environmental and socio-economic nature. The issues of today, such as international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, illegal migratíon and trafficking, poverty, threats to the environment and so forth highlight the need for a common action. This vision of the future is exemplified in the Millennium Declaration, which projects the principles and goals of the Charter to the world in a new age, híghlighting common responsibility and solidarity in order to accomplish a vision of a more secure, prosperous and just world. Without stabílity there is no democracy, just as wíthout democracy there is no stability and sustainable economíc development. These are interdependent processes that must take place simultaneously, which highlights the importance of accomplishing the Millennium Goals. All this bríngs to the fore the importance of efficient multilateralism through action of the UN, which needs to be reformed in order that it can adequately cope with the challenges of today, as well as other internatíonal and regional organizations and all nations.

With full awareness and responsibility we will contínue to buíld in Montenegro stable institutions that guarantee the rule of law, freedoms, equality and non-discrimination, human and mínority rights, as well as solidarity and market economy. We will also contínue to promote multiethnic harmony and tolerance, demonstrating even more strongly that ethníc, cultural and religious diversity is enriching and conducive to greater stability and growth. It is also conducíve to strikíng a balance between the state and the individual, between a way of life and the common system of values, fully in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In this context I wish to express my gratitude for the efforts and support we have had from specialized UN agencies. I believe it important to stress from this rostrum that ín partnershíp with the UNDP and our European partners we will build a first eco-building, designed to house UN agencies operating in Montenegro.

Madam President,

We are very proud that at the very outset of her life on her own, taken, of course, in a modern sense, Montenegro was admitted to the UN – the institution that is a meeting point of a multitude of cultures and identities, which it merges them into one address that each and every one of us identify with. An institutíon in which all peoples and states enjoy full equality. We see this as a hístoric proof of acknowledgement for respecting the fundamental values and goals of the UN, still equally valid today. I am confident that Montenegro will distinguish herself even more as a trustworthy and constructíve partner and that our co-operation within the UN will take a new quality, which remains a key component of political actíon of Montenegro.

Today's Montenegro has a clear vision of development and its European perspectíve,ready to fully contribute to the United Europe and the United Nations.

Thank you for your attention.