Montenegro is the fourth country to become part of the pan-European media outlet's network of affiliates in the Western Balkans, already including Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania.
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A new Euronews affiliate in the Western Balkans, Euronews Montenegro, was officially launched at a ceremony held in Podgorica on Tuesday, becoming the 19th edition of Euronews across the European continent.
“With the launch of Euronews Montenegro and Montenegro joining our broader European family, we hope to further expand our distribution both here in Montenegro and throughout the Western Balkans, as well as among EU member states,” said Euronews Chairman Pedro Vargas David.
Regarding Euronews’ ambitions in the region, Vargas David said they are closely tied to the EU enlargement process.
“We want to be the voice of the European Union here — and we are proud of that. We’re proud to represent European values and to be a European voice," Vargas David said.
“Given how successful Euronews Serbia has been, we expect that viewers here will quickly recognise the quality of Euronews and rely on it for accurate information, not only in Montenegro, but also as a platform that promotes the European Union and brings our region of the Western Balkans closer to it,” said the CEO of Telekom Srbija Vladimir Lučić.
Euronews speaks Europe's languages
Vargas David pointed out that one of the key elements of Euronews’ success is that it broadcasts in the languages of the people it serves — reaching 90% of the European market.
“Today, we reach the homes of Europeans in more countries than ever before, and we serve 90% of Europe’s population in their native languages. That is Euronews' greatest asset," he said.
"We are Europeans. Most of us speak English, but at home, we speak our own languages — and that’s why providing a multilingual service from Brussels and from other capitals is key to our success,” Vargas David pointed out.
Telekom Srbija's Lučić expressed gratitude to the government of Montenegro, which has enabled the company to invest in the country for nearly two decades.
“At Telekom Srbija, we believe Europe is one big family, and we’re proud that Euronews is one of the symbols of that Europe. We’re also proud to be the company that brought that symbol to Montenegro, together with Euronews," Lučić said.
Minja Miletić, Regional Director for Euronews Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, highlighted the growing credibility of the brand in the region and expressed hope that Euronews Montenegro would follow a similar path.
“Our goal is clear, to provide objective, verified, and impartial information; to be a bridge between the region and the world; and to open space for dialogue in society, which is changing rapidly in recent times," Miletić said.
"Euronews Serbia and Euronews Bosnia and Herzegovina are already recognised as credible sources of information and as outlets upholding high professional standards. We aim to bring the same quality, responsibility, and commitment to Euronews Montenegro,” she stated.
Euronews Montenegro Editor-in-Chief Milutin Stjepović spoke about the energy and readiness of his young team.
“We strive to be part of the European Union — accession chapters are being closed, and we’re happy to be launching at this important time," Stjepović said.
"We want to show Europe the values that Montenegro has to offer, but we also want to bring European and global values into our country. We are a young, new team — full of energy and ready for challenges."
"That’s why I invite everyone to join us in building trust. We don’t aim to shape your opinion — we will provide the information, and you can form your own opinion based on that,” Stjepović concluded.
Prior to expanding to Montenegro — its fourth edition in the region — Euronews' network of affiliates in the Western Balkans included Euronews Serbia, Euronews Albania and Euronews Bosnia and Herzegovina.