Today marks Montenegro's Independence Day, 16 years after leaving the state union with Serbia, following a referendum and regaining independence.

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said on the occasion of the holiday that the country today stands firmly on the European path and is a respected NATO member.

In his congratulatory message, Djukanovic said that more and more citizens in Montenegro see the importance of winning the 2006 referendum.

"The development of the situation in Montenegro, as well as the regional and international context, confirm how visionary the decision to rebuild the country was." "And how important it is, especially in such turbulent times, to have the helm of governing the country in our hands," Djukanovic said.

Montenegro, he added, is already a respected NATO member and firmly on the European path.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic, speaking at an Independence Day reception, said that after 16 years, one should ask whether enough has been done to strengthen Montenegro and make it acceptable to all.

"Our intention is for this day to be celebrated by all citizens of our country, no matter how they voted sixteen years ago, how they declare themselves and to whom they pray to God. I claim that without all of you there will be no reconciliation and development of Montenegro," he said. Abazovic.

Therefore, added the Montenegrin Prime Minister, we must not allow disrespect for different opinions to produce polarization in society, aversion to the state and its symbols.

"We have to put an end to this, because there is no bigger opponent of Montenegro's prosperity and wealth than artificial divisions of societies," Abazovic said.

According to official results, 2006 Montenegrins voted in the 419.240 referendum, or 86,5 per cent of the total number of voters. The independence of the country was supported by 230.661 or 55,5 percent of the citizens of Montenegro, and 185.002 or 44,5 percent voted to stay in the joint state with Serbia.