Montenegro boosts ties with Holy See by signing Fundamental Agreement

• Montenegro becomes first modern mainly Orthodox state to sign FA with the Holy See
• PM Lukšić: Agreement speaks of Montenegro’s commitment to the ethical, spiritual and cultural values shared by the Holy See and entire European civilisation
• Principles of the Fundamental Agreement to be used as a basis for regulating relations with other religious communities in Montenegro

The Holy See (24 June 2011) – Montenegro and the Holy See signed earlier today the Fundamental Agreement, with a view to boosting bilateral ties and regulating the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state.

Montenegro is the first modern state with an Orthodox majority to have signed this treaty, which testifies to the full commitment of the Montenegrin society to the fundamental ethical, spiritual and cultural values shared by the Holly See and the entire European civilisation, Prime Minister Igor Lukšić said following the signing ceremony.

The PM reflected on the long history of Montenegro’s ties with the Holy See.

“This historic moment reminds us of the continuity of our relationship with the Holy See, in particular of the Concordat that the Principality of Montenegro signed with the Holy See in 1886, eight years after its independence was internationally recognised at the Congress of Berlin”, he said.

PM Lukšić stressed that the underlying principles of the Fundamental Agreement could be used as a basis for regulating relations with other religious communities in Montenegro.

The signing of the Agreement takes place six years after the Holy See formally recognised Montenegro’s restored independence on 19 June 2006.