The President of the Republic of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, together with his host, the President of Montenegro, Mr. Jakov Milatović, visited the Cetinje Monastery and the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joanikije.

At the Cetinje Monastery, the distinguished guests were welcomed by His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije, who introduced the French President and his delegation to the rich and glorious history of the Cetinje Monastery and the holy relics kept there.

A reception was held for the distinguished guests in the premises of the Metropolitanate, during which many current topics were discussed in a pleasant and cordial atmosphere. President Macron informed Metropolitan Joanikije about the reasons for his visit to Montenegro, as well as the prospects and opportunities that are opening up for Montenegro within the framework of its membership in the European Union.

Metropolitan Joanikije welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of President Macron's visit to Montenegro. He spoke about the mission, cultural and spiritual activities of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral in Montenegro, as well as the centuries-old efforts of the Serbian Orthodox Church to preserve and build the Christian and cultural heritage in this region.

This meeting was an opportunity for the interlocutors to remind each other of the unbreakable and strong ties between our peoples in the past. The friendship and alliance in the First and Second World Wars remain a solid foundation on which to build the future of these relations. The Metropolitan also recalled that many of our rulers, military leaders, writers and clergymen were educated at famous French universities.

Speaking about his illustrious predecessors, without whose role it is impossible to imagine the history of Montenegro, Metropolitan Joanikije expressed his belief that Montenegro has something to offer contemporary Europe in the cultural and spiritual sphere. The struggle for freedom, honor and dignity, as well as Christian readiness for sacrifice, adorned this libertarian people. Without these universal and eternal values, no nation and no state would have a deeper meaning.

At the end of the friendly and sincere conversation, President Macron thanked the host for the warm welcome and the nice conversation, and Metropolitan Joannikije presented the President of France, as a memento of this visit, with a replica of the early Christian discus, known as the "Podgorica Cup", a relic found at the site of Duklja, which is now kept in the famous Hermitage Museum.

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