PM Marković: Discussion with Pope was long and meaningful, we work on opening apostolic nunciature next year

Vatican State City, Italy (14 December 2019) -- Prime Minister Duško Marković, who was in an official visit to the Holy See, stated that the discussion with Pope Francis was interestingly long and very meaningful and that he was very surprised by his knowledge of Montenegro and those policies that our country promotes, which are in the line with policies and efforts of the Holy See. This applies to those issues concerning the poorest, refugees, ecumenism, climate change and ecology.

"The most significant message of that discussion was that Pope Francis confirmed his arrival to Montenegro next year. It carries a very strong emotion to Montenegro through various aspects and it is only a matter of determining the date of the visit, because of the agenda the Holy Father has," Prime Minister told journalists in Vatican.

The Prime Minister added that he also had a meeting with the Holy See Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, with whom he had a long and meaningful conversation on all issues of our relations and cooperation. Secretary for Relations with States Paul Gallagher also attended the meeting with Cardinal Parolin. The meeting noted excellent relations and communication at the highest level and discussed the opening of the Vatican Residential Representative Office in Podgorica.

"We have agreed on doing everything together to open an apostolic nunciature in Podgorica next year," Prime Minister Marković stated.

The meeting also discussed on actual issues related to the adoption of the Law on religious freedom of beliefs and legal status of religious communities, the Prime Minister added.

"It was a really good opportunity to present to Cardinal Parolin what we have been doing in that field for the last four, five years, to which Law we came to - the Law with the highest standards in this field, known by the most developed democratic countries of today, verified by the most important advisory body of the Venice Commission, wishing that Montenegro, after independence, would regulate this important issue with the law as well, because, as you know, the existing law is the one from 1977, " the Prime Minister pointed out.

As Prime Minister Marković added, Cardinal Parolini said that the highest degree of compliance is needed, which is also the aim of both, the state of Montenegro and the Government in the preparation of this law. Following this aim, we had permanent consultations for a long time with all religious communities in Montenegro, including with the Serbian Orthodox Church, Prime Minister Marković stated at the meeting.

"Unfortunately, we have jointly stated that there has been abuse and manipulation of the letter in this segment that Pope Francis addressed to Irinej and of course, that I have received from Cardinal Parolin. This was an opportunity to say clearly that this is not a room for manipulation, but for dialogue, understanding and the highest degree of compliance. I think Montenegro has already done that, "Prime Minister Marković stressed.

Answering the journalists question if he had discussed this law with Pope Francis, Prime Minister Marković stated that it was not specific to the Law but it was about other aspects related to this act such as freedom of religion and the position of the Catholic Church in Montenegro.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

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