Žabljak celebrates Europe Day

Following a successful kickoff in Nikšić, the European Tour (Evropski đir) continued in northern Montenegro - in the heart of Durmitor. The Ministry of European Affairs and the Municipality of Žabljak, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro through the EU4ME project, organized a Europe Day celebration that embraced games, team spirit, and unity while promoting core European values.

The central event, Games Without Borders, was officially opened by Radoš Žugić, President of the Municipality of Žabljak, who emphasized that Žabljak has recently become a full member of the Euromontana network of small mountain towns.

As a responsible local government, we strive to demonstrate through our example that European integration is possible-not only by words but through concrete steps-to encourage our country on its path to full EU membership by 2028, said Žugić.

Minister without Portfolio Milutin Butorović underlined Montenegro's ever-closer EU accession and its commitment to the European values of peace and solidarity.

From the rule of law, security, and good neighborly relations, to the highest standards in healthcare, education, and environmental protection, Montenegro, through its reforms, has both the desire and the obligation to ensure excellence for future generations, stated Minister Butorović.

Trifun Savić, Acting Director General of the Directorate for International Cooperation and EU Funds at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Region Development, emphasized Žabljak's unique importance-not only for its natural beauty but also for its potential to serve as a model of sustainable development and environmental preservation.

Today's event, Games Without Borders, is more than just a competition. It is an opportunity to show, through play and fellowship, how much we can achieve together-to feel the European spirit of unity, and to understand how every one of our actions matters when it comes to protecting nature, Savić said.

Mira Vuity, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Hungary, noted that European integration does not take place only in Podgorica or Brussels, but also in municipalities where good governance, clean environment, quality education, and real opportunities must reach every citizen.

Your presence here today proves that European values are not just ideals on paper but a lived reality-through sport, community, care for the environment, and local development, Vuity declared.

Today's educational-sports programme for children was designed for 7th and 8th grade students of local elementary schools. Through games combining physical, mental, and educational challenges, students learned about the European Union and its values while developing team spirit.

Jelena Vujičić, Montenegrin national alpine skier and Olympian, emphasized Žabljak's longstanding vision for sports and youth development.

I hope that we, as athletes, can inspire young people in our town to find their own path, Vujičić said.

The most successful participants of the Games Without Borders-from the elementary school 'Vuk Knežević'-were awarded prizes and medals, with the message that the European spirit lives and grows where the community nurtures it-in schools, on town squares, and in everyday life. Students from 'Dušan Obradović' Elementary School also took part in the competition.

Officials also visited the EU Info Corner, a newly opened space in Žabljak for promoting European values and accessible programmes. The Europe Day celebration in Žabljak is part of the broader Month of Europe programme, jointly implemented by the Ministry of European Affairs and the EU Delegation to Montenegro throughout May, with the aim of promoting European topics and values in every town.