Enhancing Collaboration in Justice and Digitalization
The Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Filip Ivanović, met with the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, in Tallinn.
Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in digitalization, especially in the justice sector, where Estonia has significant experience and established models. Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović underscored that transferring this knowledge and expertise would greatly benefit Montenegro by bolstering institutional capacities and improving the efficiency of its justice system.
Minister Pakosta pointed out the shared values between Estonia and Montenegro and expressed Estonia’s willingness to not only share its best practices but also its insights from past challenges. She elaborated on how Estonia’s digitalized justice system operates, highlighting its advantages in terms of transparency, efficiency, and improved access to justice for citizens.
Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović updated Minister Pakosta on the status of Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations, particularly regarding Chapters 23 and 24, which focus on the rule of law, combatting corruption, and organized crime. He highlighted that a key aim of his trip to Estonia was to enhance bilateral relations, both through NATO collaboration and by deepening ties within the European integration framework.
Minister Pakosta reiterated Estonia’s strong support for Montenegro’s European journey, emphasizing the significance of the EU’s enlargement policy. In this light, Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović reiterated that Montenegro has the potential to serve as a success story for European enlargement, thus further strengthening the Union’s credibility.
The meeting wrapped up with discussions about organizing a meeting between the Ministers of Justice from both countries to explore specific avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing in justice digitalization. The importance of enhancing partnerships in cybersecurity and information technology was also emphasized, fields where Estonia has leading expertise.