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PM Marković: I urge clergy and Metropolitan of SPC...
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PM Marković: I urge clergy and Metropolitan of SPC not to incite riots, this is last warning, State will protect citizens
Published on: Dec 31, 2019 • 2:00 AM Author: PR Service
Prime Minister Duško Marković called on priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church, headed by Metropolitan Amfilohije (Radović), not to incite riots, saying this was a last warning.
"I urge the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro to return to churches and temples, not to urge believers to resist the authorities because people are taking to the streets and attacking the police, citizens and property after they leave churches. … And I advise the Metropolitan not to incite discontent and disorder, this is the last warning in this regard. Because Montenegro and state institutions will not allow rioting, attacks on civil servants, police and jeopardizing property and restricting the rights of other citizens," said the Prime Minister, answering questions from journalists after meeting with business people in the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro.
The Prime Minister said that the invitation of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Littoral to dialogue was a knock on an open door.
"Dialogue is the practice of this government, especially when it comes to this law," said PM Marković, recalling that he repeated this to Metropolitan Amfilohije on the day of parliamentary debate and suggested that the dialogue on the law implementation should begin immediately after its adoption, as well as the work on the conclusion of an agreement between the state and the Serbian Orthodox Church.
The Metropolitanate is knocking on an open door and on my public invitation already sent, said the Prime Minister.
Asked by reporters to comment on the fact that the Serbian authorities did not condemn the attempt to burn the Montenegrin flag at the Embassy of Montenegro in Belgrade, the Prime Minister said that he considered it inexplicable and that on the other hand Montenegro respected the property and symbols of the Republic of Serbia.
"It is inexplicable that official Serbia did not condemn the attempt to burn the Montenegrin flag in Belgrade. It is surprising that ministers in the Government of Serbia and some of their programmed analysts insult Montenegro and its institutions. If the authorities of Serbia and the Government of Serbia need any explanation regarding this law, they can obtain it from us at any time. This requires dialogue. Obviously, there is no readiness for this dialogue, but this dialogue is conducted through mediators, representatives of political opposition and even representatives of the Church. The Government and Montenegro is open to this dialogue. I believe that this is not a good example and a good argumentation for what we are offered as cooperation in the region, especially when it comes to Mini Schengen. As you can see, there is complete security of Serbian property, Serbian citizens, Serbian companies in Montenegro... Does anyone gather in front of the Serbian Embassy? Does anyone attack the Serbian flag in Montenegro? Are Serbian companies and their employees at risk here? Is the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in jeopardy? Is it forbidden for believers to go to religious facilities? So, this is a political manipulation that aims to portray Montenegro as a non-secure country. I am sure it does not contribute to a good understanding between the two countries. Montenegro respects Serbia, Montenegro respects the institutions of Serbia, respects their symbols and will continue to treat them with respect in the future," the Prime Minister said.
PM Marković told the citizens of Montenegro that they are safe and that the state is there to provide them with security.
"I advise the citizens: Have patience. Montenegro is a 21st century European country. There will be no conflict here. It is not tight for anyone here: neither for Serbs, nor Montenegrins, nor Albanians, nor Muslims - Bosniaks, nor Croats, nor anyone else. Montenegro is home to everyone. But in Montenegro, Montenegrin laws will be obeyed, not someone else's. Don't worry about your safety! The state is here to protect your safety and the safety of your families, " Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded.
PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO
PHOTO AND VIDEO: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmKmJsLp
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