Government adopts 2011 Agenda, focuses on EC recommendations

Secretary General of the Government of Montenegro Zarko Sturanovic gave a press statement yesterday, February 3, in which he announced the Government agenda for 2011. The agenda comprises 370 tasks in various areas, focusing in particular on the independence of the judiciary and judges’ and prosecutors’ efficiency, said he.

In regards to these priorities, the Government will analyse the need to amend the Constitution, especially the parts where the European Commission (EC) recognised the possibility for political influence on the judiciary, said the Secretary General. He added that the Government will also introduce measures and propose laws to ensure the merit-based and non-political appointment of prosecutors and judicial councils.

The Secretary General pointed to the need and the intention of the Government to ensure biannual reviews of the implementation of the Strategy against Corruption and Organised Crime, amendments to the Criminal Code and full de-criminalisation of defamation, the efforts previously announced  by DPM Markovic.

By the same token, the Government is set to promote legal safeguards for whistleblowers.

Furthermore, the Secretary General emphasised as the most important agenda tasks for 2011 the legislation on intellectual property protection, business environment and employment.