Montenegrin President: No negotiations with nationalists

AFP/Savo Prelević

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said during the meeting with ambassadors of EU member states in Podgorica that there would be no compromise with nationalists in that country, despite numerous political pressures, pointing out that Montenegro will persist in being a multiethnic civil society which adopts the European value system, Anadolu Agency reported Saturday.

„Regarding the current topic of church-state relations, I can say that Montenegro will persevere in the postulates of a multi-ethnic civil society that adopts the European value system. And, despite numerous political pressures, there will be no compromise with nationalists and those who want to destroy the heritage of this generation,“ Djukanovic noted.

Religious protests across the country erupted after the authorities adopted the Law on Religious Freedoms in December last year, which the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) saw as an attempt to confiscate its property in Montenegro because it stipulates that all religious communities had to prove they owned the properties before 1918 or they would be declared state property.

According to a statement from his cabinet, the Montenegrin President said the rule of law would be a key priority. He pointed out that the rule of law is a precondition for Montenegro’s economic development and cooperation with credible partners.

„The Europeanization is still a path that has no alternative for this region where difficult battles for the European perspective are still being fought. Further Europeanization is in the interest of both the region and the EU, and in that context, I welcome the opening of negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania.“ Djukanovic concluded.