On Sunday 29 March in Skopje, the Fifth Annual and at the same time electoral Assembly of the Montenegrin Community in the Republic of Macedonia was held. The Assembly was also attended by Delegation of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants consisting of Chairperson of the Committee Mr Miodrag Vuković and a member of the Committee Ms Žana Filipović. The Assembly was attended by a large number of the members of this Association and guests from the Republic of Macedonia and beyond, including many distinguished guests, Macedonian academic, President of MANU Mr Vlado Kambovski, honorary consul of Montenegro in the Republic of Macedonia Mr Milorad Andrijašević and other distinguished guests.

At the beginning, both Macedonian and Montenegrin anthems were played and the telegram of the President of the Republic of Macedonia Mr Đorđe Ivanov was read, containing congratulatory messages for the previous work and wishes for continuation of successful work in the interest of emigrants from both Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia.

In his address to the Assembly, Chairperson of the Committee Mr Miodrag Vuković pointed out that Montenegro was at the beginning of building and promoting cooperation with our emigrants, but, also, he emphasised that the beginning was promising. “We are working patiently and these days in the Parliament begins a serious discussion on exceptionally important systemic law determining obligations of the state of Montenegro in the work with our people living in other countries”, said Chairperson Vuković.

Chairperson Vuković emphasised “that the Montenegrin Community in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as all associations of emigrants from Montenegro even now have, and always will have, support in the line committee of the Montenegrin Parliament. I am certain that versatile connection, partner relations, solidarity and cooperation of mainstream and our emigrants in Macedonia in achieving common goals represent the best manner for overcoming problems, misunderstandings, disagreements, and even division, and that instead we should take the path of building a relationship of mutual respect and trust”.

The Assembly was attended by director of the Diaspora Administration Mr Predrag Mitrović and Ambassador of Montenegro to the Republic of Macedonia Mr Predrag Mitrović, who also participated in its work.

The Assembly elected Mr Boris Popivoda to be the President of the Montenegrin Community in the Republic of Macedonia and thanked the previous President Mr Miroljub Orlandić on his successful performance. At the Assembly, the Activity Programme of this Association was adopted and the following were elected: Vice Presidents of the Montenegrin Community, members of the Oversight Committee, members of the Executive Committee, and honorary members of this Association.