Montenegro signs long-disputed contract with Serbian Orthodox church

Police blockade on the street toward Vila Gorica where government and church officials signed contract regulating its relations with powerful Serbian Orthodox Church in Podgorica, Montenegro August 3, 2022. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic

PODGORICA (Reuters) - Montenegro's government signed a contract regulating its ties with the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church on Wednesday, saying it would help heal deep divisions between pro-European Union parties and backers of closer relations with Serbia and Russia.

The move was immediately rejected by human rights activists and several political parties who said it gave the church too much power compared to other religious communities.