Krapovic: Montenegro’s freedom rests on unity, responsibility and preserving peace

Montenegro’s Defence Minister Dragan Krapovic said that Montenegro’s freedom rests on unity, responsibility and preserving peace, during a solemn academy held for the 230th anniversary of the Battle of Krusi, as Vijesti reports. The ceremony was organised by the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica.

“It is not enough to defend the state. The state must be built. Heroes are not enough. Institutions are needed that will last even when the heroes are gone,” Krapovic said, according to the Defence Ministry. He recalled that after the victories at Martinici and Krusi came important steps in building institutions, such as the adoption of the General Montenegrin and Highland Code in 1798 and the creation of the governing court of Montenegro and the Highlands.

Speaking about Saint Peter of Cetinje, Krapovic stressed that his greatness lay not only in military victory but above all in the ability to gather, reconcile and lay the foundations of an orderly state. “Before the battle against Mahmut Pasha’s army was won, Saint Peter had to strengthen unity and reconciliation among his own. And precisely for this reason, his greatest victory began long before the first bullet was fired at Krusi,” the minister said.

From the Defence Ministry’s perspective, Krapovic underlined that the contemporary role of the Army of Montenegro aims above all at preserving peace. “The army exists to preserve peace,” he said, adding that the responsibility of today’s generations is to preserve wisely, responsibly and with dignity the freedom that previous generations created and defended.