Montenegro presents anti-corruption efforts to decision makers and opinion formers in Brussels

Brussels, Belgium (30 September 2011) – Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković opened today in Brussels the conference dubbed “Anti-corruption efforts in Montenegro – Results so far and challenges ahead” aimed at presenting the EU institutions, think-tanks and international watchdogs with the country’s anti-corruption efforts and future challenges.

Addressing the Conference, organised by the Government of Montenegro in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, DPM Marković noted that corruption, “as a social disease that corrodes institutions”, is a major challenge for Montenegro to deal with on its EU accession path.

He acquainted the conference participants with the results Montenegro has accomplished in 2011 regarding the reinforcement of institutional and normative framework in this area.

He also announced the signing of the bilateral extradition agreement with Macedonia in early October and reminded of the already signed treaties with Serbia and Croatia, as a powerful weapon to combat corruption and organised crime.

Gábor Baranyai of Hungarian Foreign Ministry said that Montenegro is a stability factor in the Balkans. “Bearing in mind the tremendous progress accomplished in such a short period of time, we will provide support to Montenegro when the EU Council reaches a decision on the future of Montenegro’s EU entry talks”, he said.

Miloš Bešić of Montenegro's Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM) presented the research on the perception of corruption in Montenegro and stressed the importance of social and cultural aspect of the phenomenon. “The issue Montenegro has to handle is the perception of corruption, which, in a small society, is as serious problem as the corruption itself”, Professor Bešić pointed out.

The representatives of EU member states and institutions, as well as international and NGO organizations in Brussels, who attended the conference showed great interest in Montenegro’s endevours to fight corruption and voiced satisfaction at the opportunity to attend such an event in Brussels.

For the full DPM Marković's speech at the conference please click the download section above.