The Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Judiciary and Anti-Corruption Momo Koprivica is currently on a working visit to Strasbourg, where he has met with Gianluca Esposito, the Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe.

During the discussions, Deputy Prime Minister Koprivica provided Mr. Esposito with an overview of the key reform initiatives being undertaken by the Government of Montenegro as part of their European integration efforts. He placed particular emphasis on the rule of law, anti-corruption measures, judicial independence, and the protection of human rights. Koprivica highlighted that the Government’s priorities align with the objectives set forth in Chapters 23 and 24, which are essential for Montenegro’s advancement towards full EU membership. He further asserted that the Montenegrin Government concurs with the Council of Europe’s stance that democratic security is a fundamental prerequisite for overall security, necessitating coordinated efforts to combat trends that threaten democratic development and propagate disinformation that erodes democratic values.

Koprivica emphasized the significance of acting on the recommendations, especially those from GRECO, underscoring tangible progress and initiatives aimed at enhancing the legal and ethical integrity of top executive officials, notably through the Draft Law on Civil Servants and State Employees.
He also pointed out the increase in transparency via the Draft Law on Free Access to Information, and the strengthening of mechanisms to combat corruption.

Director General Esposito recognized Montenegro’s strides, remarking that noticeable advancements have been made in the area of rule of law recently. He noted that substantial positive changes have occurred, representing an important leap forward, and that the Council of Europe acknowledges the strong political commitment of the Montenegrin Government to pursue reforms.

Esposito stressed that the recommendations from GRECO and MONEYVAL, along with advancements in Chapters 23 and 24, are crucial for the overall reform agenda and Montenegro’s EU accession journey. He added that the objectives established and the outcomes attained in these domains are promising. He underscored the Council of Europe’s readiness to continue extending comprehensive support to Montenegro through expert assistance, ensuring the reform initiatives are effectively executed and in compliance with the highest European standards.

The meeting was deemed constructive and promising for future collaboration, with both parties agreeing that the ongoing intensive cooperation and the implementation of recommendations are vital for realizing Montenegro’s strategic objective—EU membership.