Response: Montenegro cherishes values of equality, tolerance, coexistence, religious and ethnic harmony and good neighbourly relations

Several media addressed the Government with a request to comment on the assessment of the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Irinej about the alleged similarity of today's Montenegro with one fascist parastate.

Montenegro is recognised far beyond its borders as a democratic and civic state that proudly cherished the values of equality, tolerance, coexistence, religious and ethnic harmony and good neighbourly relations. These values, which have endured challenges in difficult times, cannot be questioned in any way, especially not by arbitrary, malicious and unjustified estimates.

Therefore, the stances speak of the one who expressed them, and not of the one against they were expressed.

Montenegro, by not creating a policy based on responses to such arbitrary assessments, shows again its maturity and its democratic capacity.

Prime Minister Duško Marković will respond to a letter sent by Patriarch Irinej.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO