BELGRADE, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Milo Djukanovic, who on Sunday became the new president of Montenegro, said in his inauguration speech that he will invest efforts to overcome divisions and unite the country in pursuing its European future by strengthening Montenegro's position within the international community, contributing to friendly relations in the region and active engagement within NATO alliance.
Djukanovic, 56, president of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), who served several terms as prime minister and one term (1998-2002) as the president, once again took the oath of office in the city of Cetinje in front of MPs, Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, ministers, religious leaders, diplomats and journalists.
In his speech, broadcast alive at the national television RTCG, he told the guests that since Montenegro's independence in 2006, the country managed to implement key reforms which resulted in its recent membership in the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as the opportunity to become "the next member of the European Union (EU)".
He said that creating better future for Montenegro will not be easy because of "complex global political and security context."
"EU needs an internal consolidation and reassessment of the vision of its unification, its tempo, and model to achieve it. These changes significantly influence the political and security landscape of the Western Balkans, whose European future seems blurred," Djukanovic said.
He continued that instead of guessing the exact date of EU accession, the regional countries should engage in a discussion about the "Europeanisation of Western Balkans, and development aimed to integrate countries into European system of values", highlighting fight against crime and corruption, and for rule of law and freedom of press.
"This is why we do not need promises that we will become members in 2025, nor in any other year. Even without such projection we will continue with the best and fastest reforms, aiming towards better life for the citizens," he explained, mentioning regional infrastructure interconnection as a key for economic development.
He said Montenegro focuses on regional stability "as a precondition for democratic and economic growth" that will bring better living standard to people, and that strengthening of regional cooperation will help turn Western Balkans into an "equal partner of the EU, from its current inferior position".
Speaking about competitiveness of the local economy on the European market, Djukanovic said that the economic model which so far relied on the sector of services (mostly in tourism) needs to be further developed and expanded with a wider dispersion of economic capacities by boosting technological development and knowledge.
Djukanovic won the presidential elections held on April 15, with 53.9 percent of votes.
