Joković: Montenegro does not need new divisions, there will be no demolition of the church in Rumija

Instead of collapsing, rushing into the abyss and deepening old wounds, the focus of our entire society, which is located in the lobby of the European Union, must be directed towards dialogue, mutual respect and respect for diversity. Respect for other people's sacred places and freedom of religion is the foundation of a stable society.

This was stated by Vladimir Joković, president of the Socialist People's Party (SNP), in response to a petition submitted by the honorary president of the Democratic Alliance in Montenegro, Mehmet Bardi, and the current leader of that party, Saubih Mehmeti, to the highest state and local officials, requesting the removal of the church from Rumija, which belongs to the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).

Joković called for calming tensions and rejecting, as he said, extremism, saying that there would be no demolition of the church.

"Regarding the frequent announcements and initiatives that are once again disturbing the Montenegrin public and creating new divisions, and concerning the demolition of the Holy Trinity Church in Rumija, we make a decisive appeal that such dangerous and retrograde ideas must definitely be put to an end," the SNP leader stated in a press release.

He said that in a society that strives for European values, the rule of law and the building of lasting civil peace, there is and must be no place for policies of demolition, disintegration, intolerance and the production of new conflicts.

"Ideas about demolishing any religious building represent an invocation of horrific scenarios from the past that have already cost citizens too much. We must leave such rhetoric and politics behind us once and for all," said Joković.

He emphasized that respect for other people's sacred places and freedom of religion is the foundation of a stable society.

"It is time for political and social actors to show maturity and responsibility. Divisions must be overcome through inclusive dialogue, not through threats to demolish religious buildings, regardless of which religious community they belong to. I take this opportunity to call on the competent institutions, political actors and the entire public to reduce tensions and reject extremism in any form. Montenegro, and this is more than clear, desperately needs peace, stability and a common European future, not new sparks of artificially caused divisions that could cause unforeseeable consequences due to irresponsibility"; concluded Joković.