Celebration of the 4th of July, USA Independence Day, in the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica
On June 25, 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica celebrated the 248th anniversary of the Independence of the United States – an important U.S. holiday that is celebrated every year on July 4. U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro Judy Rising Reinke hosted a reception in Podgorica for Montenegrin friends and partners. Together, they reflected on the continued friendship and cooperation between the U.S. and Montenegro and celebrated America’s independence.
Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke’s speech at the ceremony
“What does this holiday mean to Americans? It is a day when we remember our hard-fought freedoms, reaffirm our democratic values and recognize the role of freedom, human rights and civil liberties in our society – these are the values we share with Montenegro. America’s Independence Day is also a fun day when we gather with family and friends to enjoy the same freedoms of parades, parties and barbecues. With that in mind, my Embassy team and I are delighted to celebrate with all of you tonight!
Freedom, democracy, and equality are universal values and are the foundation of Western democracies. Over 248 years of our democratic progress and development, my country has endeavored to share its experiences with friends and partners around the world to highlight the benefits that democracy brings to every citizen.
Whether you are a member of the Montenegrin government, Montenegrin non-governmental organizations, international organizations, other diplomatic missions, or other friends of the Embassy, my team is proud to cooperate with you to support Montenegro in achieving its goal of fully integrating into European economic and security structures. You can count on the United States as a friend and partner to be with you every step of the way.
For example, we work to help strengthen government institutions so that they are capable of fighting corruption. We support strong civil society organizations that protect the interests of citizens and help build the capacity of the public sector. We help build a more prosperous Montenegro, supporting the creation of a dynamic, entrepreneurial ecosystem and improving the business environment to attract new investments. We support the strengthening and professionalization of the Montenegrin media sector and the improvement of media literacy in the fight against malicious manipulation of information.
And, perhaps the most significant, in the context of Euro-Atlantic integration, is the decades-long contribution of the United States to strengthening the rule of law in Montenegro. We support institutional development, provide technical capacity building, offer staff training, and deliver equipment and tools to help Montenegro succeed. I am excited to say that during my tenure as US Ambassador to Montenegro, I have clearly seen the impact of our work, especially now that this country is close to successfully meeting the European Union’s interim benchmarks in two critical chapters on the rule of law. I am proud that the United States helped reach this important milestone.
As Montenegro actively pursues EU membership, I would also like to point out the positive role of Montenegro as a full ally in NATO. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the largest and strongest defense alliance in the world. The importance of NATO cannot be overstated as we continue to witness Russia’s unprovoked, brutal invasion of Ukraine that has caused a considerable number of innocent victims and risks causing further destabilization. In these challenging times, NATO is the guarantor of peace and stability in Europe, and I want to commend Montenegro for meeting its defense spending commitments while working to improve military capabilities and interoperability. The way in which Montenegro fulfills its NATO obligations testifies, in my opinion, to the seriousness with which this country will accept the role of an EU member.
However, there is still a lot to do. Tomorrow is a big celebration in Brussels, and my entire embassy is pleased to congratulate you on a positive IBAR Report. The very next day, however, Montenegrin leaders must return to the complex technical work of completing the accession process. Because joining the EU will bring tangible benefits to the people of Montenegro. I can’t help but think about what this means for the future of the students I met in Pljevlja and Ulcinj, for the entrepreneurs I talked to in the American Corner in Podgorica, and in the premises of the new Science and Technology Park. Not to mention pro-EU campaigners across the country who see EU membership as the key to boosting economic investment in their communities. For all of them, continue to strive for consensus in the Government and Parliament. Do not allow divisions to divert Montenegro from its path to the European Union. The goal is within reach, and the United States is ready to support the people of Montenegro in achieving it.
In conclusion, while we celebrate the universal values of freedom, democracy, and equality, my entire Embassy team is ready to support Montenegro as you build a strong, democratic, and prosperous country that can realize its aspirations and join the European Union. “
America’s Independence Day is a time to remember hard-fought freedoms, reaffirm democratic values, and recognize the essential role that freedom, human rights, and civil liberties play in U.S. society. It is also a joyous occasion to gather with family and friends to enjoy these very freedoms at parades, festive parties, and barbecues.