Minister Nuhodžić: There are no indications that conflict or tensions might erupt in Montenegro due to Law on Freedom of Religion

All information and findings available to the competent state institutions in Montenegro show that there were no indications that a conflict or tensions might erupt, and especially not a bloodshed, as the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church said.

The current developments regarding the Law on Freedom of Religion confirm that the Montenegrin society is democratically mature and that it will resolve differences in opinions and views, as well as all challenges, in a democratic and civilized manner, without fostering distrust.

We can have different opinions, and these are certainly the achievements of democracy, but we must not allow ourselves to violate the principles of civil, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. Neither by action nor by sparkling tensions.

Therefore, I am sure that citizens will not support, and state authorities will certainly not allow anyone, inside or outside the country, to try to threaten peace and stability in Montenegro.

The State of Montenegro will strongly and decisively prevent any attempt of violence, spurring mayhem or any kind of conflict.

It is true that the believers of one confession disagree with the law, although the intention of passing this legal act was to make the laws equal for everyone.

Montenegro respected and will respect the expression of a different opinion and the peaceful expression of dissatisfaction. It is the duty of the state authorities to protect the free expression of the will of citizens and human rights and freedoms, but also to protect the constitutional and legal order of the state of Montenegro.

There is room for everyone in Montenegro. In civil Montenegro our differences are and should be our greatest treasure.

It is legitimate for Montenegro to regulate its internal affairs on its own, and it does so in accordance with the civic concept of the state and European values.

Respecting these values, I recall that Montenegro is the only country in the former Yugoslavia that has managed to avoid war. That means that even in difficult circumstances we thought wisely and knew how to preserve harmony in the country. That is why Montenegro is and will be a factor of stability in the Balkans. This fact must be understood by those who do not share this opinion.

I would particularly like to emphasise that the current religious issue should be viewed in the context of continuous dialogue rather than exclusion.

This is not a question that will create winners or losers. Therefore, a dialogue has been launched in order to come together with a compromise solution that everyone will respect.

The basis of all faiths is that they spread peace and tolerance. This also obliges church dignitaries to call for dialogue and reconciliation, not conflict, for understanding, not for hatred, for harmony rather than difference, for communion rather than division, in order to bring everyone together to strengthen those values that unite us.