Addressing students and the academic community, the president assessed that the international order, established after World War II, is in crisis.
"We are witnessing a weakening of democratic standards and multilateral cooperation, as well as the accelerated formation of new geopolitical dividing lines," the president said.
"The world is changing rapidly before our eyes, and today's moment," he pointed out, "resembles an interregnum - in which the old order weakens, while the new one has not yet been formed."
He pointed out that the contemporary global context is shaped by two parallel processes: the strengthening of the role of the Asia-Pacific region and, at the same time, dissonant positions within Western alliances.
"These two processes together define a world in transition, in which states must make clear strategic decisions," the president emphasized.
Speaking about Montenegro's foreign policy course, President Milatović emphasized that even a small state can ensure stability through consistent policies and strong partnerships.
"Montenegro knows where it belongs. Our choice is clear and based on the values of democracy, international law and cooperation," the president emphasized.
He recalled that this policy relies on: NATO membership, accession to the European Union, and active participation in the United Nations.
President Milatović emphasized that Montenegro and Japan share a commitment to the principles of international law and stability, and that such partnerships are gaining importance in contemporary global circumstances.
Europe is awakening, Asia is developing, and their relations are increasingly determining the direction of global developments, the president emphasized.
He recalled the historical ties between Montenegro and Japan, dating back to the period of King Nikola and Emperor Meiji, as well as Montenegro's decision to open an Embassy in Tokyo by the end of this year.
Concluding his address, the President emphasized that in contemporary global circumstances, neutrality and passivity are not viable options.
"In contemporary global circumstances, states must choose between fragmentation and cooperation. The decisions we make today shape the position of states for decades to come. Montenegro, together with partners like Japan, remains committed to building an international order based on cooperation and international law," the President concluded.
