Marković: Đukanović and I spoke with Amfilohi, we proposed suspending the application of the Law

The Prime Minister Duško Marković announced this morning that he and the President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović recently proposed to the Metropolitan of the Montenegrin-Literal Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Amfilohije the suspension of the application of the Law on Freedom of Religion pending the ruling of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights and the continuation of the dialogue, but that the Metropolitan, despite this, called for the continuation of the litany, "and the SPC continued to violate the law at every opportunity."

"As you know, and as I announced to the public, I responded and met with Metropolitan Amfilohi on several occasions, regarding the Law on Freedom of Religion and other important issues that arose in the relations between the state and the Orthodox Church. It was the same a few days ago, when I and the President Milo Đukanović responded to the invitation of Metropolitan Amfilohi with Bishop Joaniki, as the highest representatives of the executive power in Montenegro. That meeting was a confirmation of our respect for the Metropolis and other dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church, but also a confirmation of our permanent commitment to dialogue and seek common and best solutions. The conversation we had was meaningful, long and constructive, and it ended with clear proposals that President Đukanović and I communicated, the goal of which is to get out of the current situation that burdens the overall social environment. In particular, the Government was ready to suspend the implementation of the Law on Freedom of Religion until the Constitutional Court of Montenegro and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg decide on its correctness. In parallel with that, we offered to continue the negotiations at the expert level for the next week, for which the government team was preparing during the previous period", announced the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković.

The Prime Minister said that these are "facts and truths that citizens and believers could not hear from church dignitaries these days."

"Unfortunately, the response from the other side was the call of Metropolitan Amfilohi to organize rallies, which is interpreted as a continuation of misunderstandings and confrontations that we do not want in the Government, because they represent an obstacle to our civil harmony and prosperity. In addition to rejecting dialogue, and therefore the possibility of finding a sustainable solution, the Serbian Orthodox Church continues to violate the law at every opportunity, even when it comes to the established practice of illegal construction within church properties and outside of them," said Marković.

Prime Minister Duško Marković said that Montenegro is a democratic society with European and Euro-Atlantic values ​​in which public gatherings are allowed as long as they do not endanger the rights of others, and added that the Government will ensure their realization in accordance with the law and current rules.

"Therefore, the announced rallies must be organized in a way that implies the application of epidemiological measures and recommendations, while at the same time respecting the health and life of all citizens, and all in the spirit of equal application of the law, which is a standard that binds every individual and every collective. With the call to respect the law, we continue to leave the possibility to the Metropolis and dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church to jointly seek solutions in the best interest of the Orthodox faithful within the framework of dialogue and the legal system of Montenegro. Our intention is to leave an environment and legacy that will not be a burden for generations to come. Therefore, we are open to dialogue and search for solutions, but not to blackmail and pressure. And until that happens, the laws will apply to everyone in Montenegro, including the Serbian Orthodox Church and its believers" - concluded the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković, in his address to the public.

Metropolitan Amfilohije of the Montenegrin coast yesterday called on the faithful not to vote for "an ungodly government that would rob the holy places".

In front of the Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica yesterday, a message from the Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro was read, in which it is said that the latest events unequivocally indicate that the Government has practically given up on dialogue and negotiations.

"Vijesti" wrote back in February that the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Oliver Varhelji, allegedly said that Marković told him that the Government was ready to temporarily postpone the implementation of the Law on Freedom of Religion.

After the publication of that information, Marković told "Vijesta" that there is no suspension of the law, "but a discussion on all issues", including the possibility of the MCA to initiate an evaluation of the constitutionality of the law. "Next week, dates for the start of talks will be offered," said Marković at the time.