EU's Cas Granje; Rule of law, fight against corruption and organised crime crucial for Montenegro's EU bid

Podgorica, Montenegro (14 March 2012) -- Judiciary-related constitutional amendments are of high importance for the European Council's positive decision on opening accession talks with Montenegro in June, Alexandra Cas Granje, Director for Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey and Iceland at the Directorate General for Enlargement, noted at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Duško Marković.

Apart from this, Montenegro’s results in the rule of law, fight against corruption and organised crime, and resolving issue of refugees and internally displaced persons will also be in the limelight of the EU member state in the coming period, she added.

DPM Marković noted that the Government has initiated constitutional amendments as judicial reform can not be complete without amendments to this act. By the same token, political consultations with political parties have been launched and some solutions are already apparent, he said. The amendments, following their adoption by the relevant parliamentary committee, will be forwarded to the Venice Commission for another expertise, he added.

In parallel with these activities, DPM Marković said, the Government has been pursuing efforts over the implementation of last year adopted legislation that encourages judicial professionalism, accountability and efficiency.

Montenegro has achieved significant results in combating organised crime, DPM Marković emphasised, adding that, despite the evident progress, visible results in fighting corruption are expected to be seen in the future.