Svilanovic: We need to understand each other better

BELGRADE - Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Goran Svilanovic stated that the attack on the editorial of Charlie Hedbo weekly represents a crime that does not bring any good to either Islam or Christianity, and at the same time, he called for encouragement of inter-religious dialogue in the region.

I consider this a heinous crime which upset millions of people, and I would like to join all those who expressed condolences to the families of the victims and all citizens of France over the mindless act of violence against freedom of thought and expression, Svilanovic told Tanjug.

According to him, this is a crime that tramples on the values upheld by citizens of France and Europe, regardless of their religious beliefs and confession, and as such, it can not bring any good to either Islam or Christianity.

As for the security situation in the region in this context, Svilanovic underscored that the area is a part of the same geographical, political and cultural room as the area shared by the victims of the crime and their murderers.

We need to be aware of this at all times, and we need to constantly call for respect of the others, to truly hear them out during the talks and to invest efforts to have them hear us out too, Svilanovic said.

Asked whether the reaction of the West to this case can lead to aggravation in relations between the West and Islamic world, Svilanovic noted that the French society, wider international community and the citizens in the region are very courageously reacting with restraint.

We need to understand each other better and restraint is at this moment the most important idea in the contemplation on the critical situation and the line of action in the future, Svilanovic...