Montenegro and Serbian Orthodox Church sign Fundamental Agreement

The Fundamental Agreement between Montenegro and the Serbian Orthodox Church has been signed. Prime Minister Dritan Abazović and Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Porfirije signed the Agreement.

Minister of Justice Marko Kovač, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Joković, Ministers Fatmir Đeka, Aleksandar Damjanović, and Dragoslav Šćekić, Prime Minister's Adviser Ivo Šoć, Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Joanikije, Bishop Vasilije of Srem, Bishop Atanasije of Mileševa, Bishop Fotije of Zvornik and Tuzla, Bishop Metodije of Budimlja and Nikšić, Bishop Dimitrije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, protosynchellos Nektarije, Secretary of the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Archpriest-Stavrophor Velibor Džomić, Archpriest Igor Balaban, Coordinator of the Legal Council of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, and deacon Nikola Kostić attended the signing ceremony.

Prime Minister Abazović pointed out that the Government of Montenegro is determined to ensure that all religious communities have the same rights, adding that the signing of the Agreement sends a message of peace and tolerance.

Patriarch Porfije stressed that the Church will respect the Constitution and laws of the country, adding that it did not have ambitions to achieve anything more than any other religious community.