Montenegro and EU Commission discuss law harmonisation in judiciary and fundamental rights

Brussels, Belgium (27 March 2012) – The two-day meeting between Montenegro and the European Commission discussing the acquis communautaire as regards Chapter 23 – judiciary and fundamental rights, called explanatory screening, was completed today. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the candidate states of Serbia and Macedonia.

Explanatory screening is the first part of the analytical overview by which the EU presents parts of its accumulated legislation (acquis communautaire) for the candidate country to gain insight into the legal provisions with which it needs to align during the accession negotiations process.

Members of the working group for Chapter 23 were able to learn about the acquis areas of judiciary, anti-corruption, fundamental laws, and EU citizens’ laws.

Regarding the judiciary, the European Commission presented key EU documents safeguarding independence, impartiality, professionalism, and judicial reform. In discussing anti-corruption policies, they presented relevant decisions, conventions, resolutions and protocols related to existing EU and international legal instruments aimed at preventing and punishing corruption and other related areas of social behaviour.

Special attention was dedicated to presenting the parts of the acquis addressing fundamental rights and procedural protection measures that ensure safety, freedom and right to a just trial. The EU Commission also presented legislation related to minorities and cultural rights.

Following this meeting, the Working Group for Chapter 23 will draft in the next two months the presentation of Montenegrin legislation in the said areas and present it to the Commission on 30 and 31 May.