Participating in the Telling the CoE's story project, Montenegro has organised a tree planting ceremony as a symbol of cooperation and partnership between Montenegro and the Council of Europe. The event, aiming at raising public awareness about the Council of Europe´s positive impact on people’s daily lives was organised jointly with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanović, the Mayor of Podgorica Olivera Injac and the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica.

Highlighting the multiple symbolic meanings of the olive tree in different cultures and religions, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanović, said that the most common one is the symbol of peace: “As such, it was well suited to choose this tree to mark our long-term partnership and cooperation. Our successful partnership is based on the values of peace and peaceful coexistence of different nationalities, cultures and confessions.”

He also emphasised the importance of the mandate of the Council of Europe for Montenegro in establishing and implementing the highest democratic standards as part of its internal reform processes, including Montenegro’s European path. “Achieving the standards and values of the Council of Europe is an integral part of completing the criteria and making progress in becoming an EU member state, Minister Ivanović said.

The tree planting ceremony was also a precursor for the upcoming presidency of Montenegro to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which starts in November 2026.