The misinformation that is being spread about the Law on Freedom of Religion in Montenegro is a deliberate provocation, for which Moscow is primarily responsible, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer said in an exclusive interview for Voice of America.
The United States of America (USA), as Palmer pointed out, advocates for compromise and a peaceful solution to the dispute over the law.
In an interview with Voice of America, the American official did not comment on the relations between Serbia and Kosovo.
Voice of America: The Montenegrin government and the Serbian Orthodox Church have started a dialogue on the Freedom of Religion Act, which has sparked protests in the country and in the region. What does the US expect from that dialogue?
Palmer: We expect that the conversation will be open and transparent, conducted in good faith, with the aim of reaching an understanding about how this law can be applied, and to protect the interests of the Montenegrin government, the citizens of Montenegro, as well as the legitimate interests of the Serbian Orthodox Church. (SPC).
Voice of America: Will the US mediate the dialogue at some point, since both sides are sticking to their positions for now?
Palmer: The dialogue has just begun, Prime Minister Marković and Metropolitan Amfilohije just met on the 14th, on Valentine's Day, Saint Valentine, that must be a good sign. We hope that the process will gain momentum, and we will continue to keep an open channel of communication with all parties and advocate for compromise and a spirit of cooperation as they work to find a peaceful solution.
Voice of America: SPC claims that the law is discriminatory and that the goal is to confiscate church property, and the Montenegrin government denies this. Does the US believe that the law is discriminatory and that its goal is to weaken the influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro?
Palmer: We have seen the opinion of the Venice Commission on the law. It is very important that there is an understanding between the government and the church about how the law will be applied in practice and what it means in practical terms. We hope that this dialogue between the Prime Minister and the Metropolitan will lead to mutual understanding.
Voice of America: But the US does not take any position on the law and its content?
Palmer: As we understand, the law itself is in accordance with Montenegrin obligations, as a candidate for EU membership, many European countries have similar such laws. We understand the concerns expressed by the SPC and it is important that the government and the church discuss this and to calm the tensions that this law has caused and to eliminate the risk of violence on the streets.
Voice of America: The law caused tensions between Montenegro and Serbia, there was very harsh rhetoric from Serbian officials, how do you see it?
Palmer: There was a lot of misinformation about the law and the dispute between the government and the SPC. We are very concerned when we hear what comes from Russian sources who often use Serbian intermediaries. Many reports made by competent, professional and serious institutions in Montenegro identified a huge amount of deliberate misinformation, fake news broadcast with the intention of raising tensions, to turn this into an ethnic issue between Serbs and Montenegrins, when it should not be seen as an ethnic issue. It is a deliberate provocation and I believe that the responsibility for it lies mostly with Moscow.
Voice of America: Is Russia using the SOC to promote its interests and cause division in Montenegro and in the region?
Palmer: I certainly think it's a risk. The Russians see this law as a vulnerable point that they can use, as an opportunity to create a rift between Serbia and Montenegro, to raise tensions. Russia, which refuses to accept the reality in post-Cold War Europe, sees a situation in which there is high tension as something that is in its strategic interest in the Western Balkans, which is the opposite of what the United States wants to see. We want to see peace, harmony and cooperation in the region, where countries work together to overcome differences. Russians work every day to deepen and increase these differences and divisions.
Voice of America: And while Montenegro is fighting against that unprecedented campaign, it has started arresting journalists and citizens for posts on social networks. How do you comment on that?
Palmer: I think that media freedom is a basic right and something that Montenegro should respect on its way to the EU.
Bonus video:
