DPM Aleksa Bečić and Minister Danilo Šaranović attend national field exercise “CETINJE 2025”

Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, Fight Against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić and Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović attended the national field exercise “CETINJE 2025” held in the Old Royal Capital Cetinje. The exercise was organized by the Directorate for Emergency Management of the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro, with participation from municipal protection and rescue services, the Emergency Medical Institute, the Red Cross, the air helicopter unit, numerous volunteers, and other relevant institutions.

The exercise simulated complex emergency response scenarios involving large-scale fires and crisis situations. The goal was to assess the operational readiness of the national system ahead of the upcoming summer tourist and wildfire season.

Scenarios included technical aerial reconnaissance using drones and quad bikes, forest fire suppression, evacuation of civilians from multiple locations (including the Lovćen Bečići resort), medical care for the injured, and high-risk operations such as helicopter insertion of firefighters and emergency landing of a FIRE BOSS 802 aircraft. All competent services took part, including the MEDEVAC team responsible for evacuating an injured pilot.

Following the successful execution of the exercise, Deputy Prime Minister and Security Sector Coordinator Aleksa Bečić addressed those present.

Today, I stand before you not only as a representative of the state but also as a citizen who owes you gratitude. What you demonstrated today was not just a drill. It was not merely a protocol. It was a message — a message that Montenegro has people it can count on, he said.

Bečić commended the personnel involved in organizing and executing the tactical demonstration.

When wildfires break out, floods threaten, earthquakes strike, or a citizen finds themselves in peril — you are the first to arrive. Often, the only ones. You do not only protect lives — you protect trust. Trust in our institutions, in our country, and in a system that, not long ago, stood at the edge of collapse. With only one helicopter, lacking equipment and basic resources. And today? Today, we confidently expect four operational aircraft, we possess state-of-the-art equipment, and — most importantly — we have you: trained, selfless, and brave professionals. That’s something no donation or budget line can replace, Bečić stressed.

Bečić noted that while Montenegro was once seen as lacking the capacity for effective protection, criticized for being too small, too poor, or too indebted, its dedicated professionals proved otherwise.

Today, as Montenegro closes negotiation chapters, meets benchmarks, and moves closer to the European Union, we proudly affirm that our civil protection and rescue system has fulfilled all Chapter 27 criteria — both in reports and on the ground. In the fight against fire, in response to floods, landslides, disasters, and emergencies, he said.

He added that this is not only a story of progress, but of the state’s credibility, reflected in Montenegro’s recognition as a trusted international partner — a country that can react, plan, and protect. This is not the end — this is only the beginning. Because modern threats won’t wait for us to be ready. Climate change knows no borders. Disasters don’t follow schedules. That is why we must continue. To invest in aircraft. To invest in equipment. To invest in early warning systems. But above all — to invest in you, he stressed.

In conclusion, Bečić expressed his sincere appreciation to all members of the protection and rescue system, underscoring that they represent the silent strength behind Montenegro’s safety.

Thank you for rebuilding a system that was once on its knees.
Thank you for proving that Montenegro’s security doesn’t depend on reports — it depends on character. Long live Montenegro. Long live the dignity of the Montenegrin uniform, he concluded.