He underlined the need for Montenegro to join NATO, as it can influence the safety of the country, its economical development and life standard of the citizens. It should be a guiding light to all political subjects in the country.
Lipka said that positive reforms that happened in our country are big and there is a lot of them, and he mentioned some of the most important.
“I had an honor and a privilege to participate directly in the spring of 2006 when Montenegro was re-establishing its independence. I had an honor and a privilege to be ambassador of Republic of Slovakia in 2010 during successful transformations in your country and to actively participate in process of its European integration. When I compare Montenegro of today to that of 2006, or 2010, I must say that Montenegro achieved a truly unusual progress in all areas of life. This is not just my opinion, as Montenegro’s friend. It is a fact”, Lipka said.
During his mandate, Montenegro opened negotiations with EU, that have been lead successfully for three years now. During those three years 22 chapters were opened and 2 were temporarily closed. Lipka considers this to be a very good result.
“On December 2nd 2015 Montenegro got a NATO invitation, which is a great success. I am especially glad that Montenegro got this invitation during my mandate”, he added.
According to him, Montenegro succeeded in keeping multi-ethnic harmony and building good relationships with neighbors and all countries in the Western Balkan.
“Montenegro is today a stable country and as such it represents a factor of stability in the whole region”, he underlined.
Lipka pointed out the fact that many significant foreign investments came into the country. Montenegro today is one big construction sights, he said.
“You can see new buildings around every corner, new streets, new roads, you are all set to begin building new highway. World brands come to your coast.. Podgorica became a modern European city, instead of a two-horse town”, former ambassador said.
Among Montenegro’s successes, Lipka counts the transformation of state administration as well.
“It is a miracle that your young administration managed in such a short term to complete conditions for getting invited into NATO and to open 22 chapters in EU negotiations. Slovakia went down this road and this is why I know what it means to achieve this. However, changes in everyday life of the citizens are also important and visible in every step. Life standard is now higher”, he said.
He got an impression that social awareness of citizens also changed, that they have become more responsible, realizing their future depends on them.
“All this success was achieved thanks to efforts of many citizens, thanks to persistent politics of your Government, thanks to vision and determination of the Prime Minister”, Lipka concluded.
