The Council of Europe (CoE) acknowledges the strong political commitment of the Montenegrin Government towards implementing reforms. Gianluca Esposito, the Director General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law at the CoE, noted that the country has shown significant advances in the realm of the rule of law.

During a working visit to Strasbourg, Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Judiciary, and Anti-Corruption Momo Koprivica met with Esposito.

According to a statement from Koprivica’s office, Esposito recognized Montenegro’s efforts and highlighted that substantial progress has been made in the area of the rule of law recently.

“He emphasized the numerous positive changes that mark an important advancement, with the Council of Europe acknowledging the strong political determination of the Montenegrin Government to enact reforms,” the statement noted.

Esposito remarked that the recommendations from GRECO and MONEYVAL, along with chapters 23 and 24, are crucial for the overall reform and EU accession process, stating that the objectives and achievements in these domains are promising.

“He conveyed the Council of Europe’s willingness to continue supporting Montenegro with expert assistance to ensure the successful completion of the reform process, aligning it with the highest European standards,” the statement indicated.

Koprivica updated Esposito on key reform initiatives the Government is undertaking as part of European integration, emphasizing areas such as the rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, bolstering judicial independence, and human rights protection.

He asserted that the Government’s priorities align with the demands of Chapters 23 and 24, which are essential for Montenegro’s advancement towards full EU membership.

“Furthermore, he underscored that the Government shares the Council of Europe’s perspective that democratic security is fundamental for overall security, emphasizing the necessity to combat various trends that threaten democracy and the spread of misinformation undermining democratic values,” the statement mentioned.

Koprivica stressed the importance of implementing recommendations, particularly those from GRECO.

“He highlighted tangible progress and actions taken to enhance the legal and ethical integrity of top officials in the executive branch, notably through the Draft Law on Civil Servants and State Employees, transparency via the Draft Law on Free Access to Information, and reinforcing anti-corruption mechanisms,” the statement added.

The Vice President’s office reported that the meeting was constructive and promising for future initiatives, with both parties agreeing that ongoing intensive cooperation and adherence to recommendations are vital for achieving Montenegro’s strategic aim – EU membership.

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