Government and Jewish community sign agreement regulating mutual relations

Podgorica, Montenegro (31 January 2012) – Prime Minister Igor Lukšić and Montenegrin Jewish Community President Jasa Alfandari signed the Agreement regulating relations between the state and Jewish Community earlier today in Podgorica.

The agreement is of great importance for the relations of the Government of Montenegro and the Jewish Community and additionally contributes to strengthening ties with Israel, PM Lukšić highlighted following the signing ceremony.

The event, he added, will also make a contribution to establishing an adequate legal framework for regulating relations between the state and religious communities in Montenegro in line with European values.

President of the Montenegrin Jewish community Jasa Alfandari thanked the Prime Minister for initiating in such short time and with great efficiency the signing of this agreement, which in his words marks the official recognition of the Jewish religion and people in Montenegro.

He pointed out that Montenegro has done a lot for the Jewish people, in particular in the darkest hours of the Second World War, adding that, although being quite a small community, the Jewish people live safely in Montenegro.

“The repercussion of the agreement is huge, in the world and in Israel. We will do our best to convey the good news about Montenegro throughout the world and make people know what kind of country it is and what kind of people live in it”, Jewish community’s Jasa Alfandari concluded.