06/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – The Chairman of the European Parliament’s EU-Montenegro delegation, Vladimír Bilčík (EPP, Slovakia), and the European Parliament rapporteur on Montenegro, Tonino Picula (S&D, Croatia), condemned, on Monday 6 September, all acts of violence in connection with the investiture of the Serbian Orthodox Bishop Joanikije II. “Montenegro should uphold fully its obligations to defend the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of speech, while also respecting a variety of religious rights of its citizens”, said the two MEPs. They called on all parties involved to actively contribute to reducing tensions in society and to fulfilling the country’s commitment to a “modern, democratic, multi-confessional and multi-ethnic society.” The political instrumentalisation of a person’s religious beliefs is not compatible with the ongoing reform process and for a successful EU membership for Montenegro, they warned. (CG)