Ministry on the Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Duklja: The location is not state-owned

AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS

The Ministry of Culture and Media has issued a response regarding information about the event held at the archaeological site of Doklea.

"Regarding information published in the media regarding the event held at the archaeological site of Doklea or on plots in the immediate vicinity, the Ministry of Culture and Media would like to remind you that Duklja is an archaeological site of exceptional national importance, protected by law, and as such requires a special regime of access, research and use, regardless of ownership.

According to available data, the aforementioned event was held at a location for which we do not have precise information about ownership, but which, according to unofficial sources, is not state-owned," the statement states.

They remind you that certain plots in this area have been privately owned for years.

"The Ministry of Culture and Media remains strongly committed to the protection, preservation and valorization of the cultural heritage of Montenegro as a common good of all its citizens.

Our cultural heritage is a wealth of diversity, and as such must not be subject to political instrumentalization or interpretations that may cause divisions.

We also remind you that actions that may call into question the integrity or value of cultural property are prohibited by law and that their protection is the obligation of everyone, regardless of ownership," they added in the statement.

Numerous challenges in the field of cultural heritage are the result of long-standing neglect and insufficiently effective normative solutions.

"That is why the Ministry of Culture and Media is working intensively on amendments to key legal acts in the field of culture, convinced that new legislative solutions will ensure more comprehensive, efficient and sustainable protection of the cultural heritage of Montenegro.

Therefore, we call on all organizers of public and cultural events, including religious communities, to strictly adhere to the applicable legal norms and protection standards when planning activities at protected sites.

The Ministry will continue to monitor all activities related to protected sites and, in cooperation with the competent institutions, work on their protection and proper valorization, in accordance with the interests of the state and all its citizens," the statement concluded.