PM Luksic, religious leaders: Building society with European and traditional values

As part of the “Consultation Days,” Prime Minister Igor Luksic met with religious leaders in Montenegro and discussed ways to include religious communities in meeting the EU integration priorities.

“I believe that with joint efforts we can contribute to the promotion of contemporary values that will make Montenegro a modern European state, at the same time devoted to those universal and traditional values underpinning every society, individual, family and religion,” PM Luksic said explaining that “Consultation Days” represent a form of dialogue with representatives of the civil society over most crucial issues in Montenegro.

Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Amfilohije Radovic called this way of consultation “Solomonic wisdom”, explaining that “the wisdom lies in taking advice from many, as it is precisely the dialogue with many that is the best way of finding the best solutions for a community.”

The PM discussed with head of the Islamic community in Montenegro Reis Rifat Fejzic the possibility of introducing madrassa to the education system in Montenegro. In this regard, the PM announced discussions with Ministry of Education and a more intensive approach to the realisation of this proposal.

At the meeting with Archbishop of Bar Zef Gashi and Bishop of Kotor Ilija Janjic, the PM discussed the current projects of the Catholic community in Montenegro and the ways in which the state may assist, as well as the support of the Vatican to Montenegro.

The main topic of all the discussions was the establishment of a more coherent system of communication between the Government and the religious communities. In this regard, the PM announced that the reshuffling of the Government will also include an office in charge of communication with religious communities.

The PM also brought up the issue of the law on the restoration of property to religious communities which in his words should be on the Government agenda very soon and will create preconditions for the commencement of restoration.

The PM thanked all the participants for the contribution of their respective communities in promoting sacred values, tolerance and peace, and invited them to unite over most crucial issues in the state reiterating that the Constitution and the laws guarantee the freedom of belief and public and private practice of faith for all.

The religious leaders voiced their full support to the process of EU integration and  meeting the recommendations given by the EC in November 2010 , underlining that the restoration of property will further contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law in Montenegro.