Montenegro and Italy set to upgrade police, prosecutorial, judicial cooperation

Podgorica, Montenegro (29 March 2012) -- Italy is an important strategic partner of Montenegro in its European journey and the fight against organised crime, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Duško Marković told Pietro Grasso, Chief Italian Anti-Mafia Prosecutor, on the margins of the conference entitled “Models of Legislation for Combating Organised Crime”, in Budva on Wednesday. However, DPM Marković underlined, there is room to boost bilateral cooperation, especially in combating corruption and organised crime, which, since being global challenges, require global answers.

He emphasised on that occasion that strengthening the rule of law remains one of Montenegro’s key domestic and foreign priorities, adding that empowering police, prosecutorial and judiciary cooperation between the two countries is in mutual interest.

DPM Markovic informed Mr Grasso about the reform of the Montenegrin judicial system, both in terms of national legislation reform and new solutions to successfully fight against organised crime, and in the development and implementation of new regional mechanisms for collaboration in combating these challenges, while praising the results of such cooperation.

The Chief Italian anti-mafia prosecutor remarked that the conference in Budva reflects Montenegro’s willingness to tackle this serious issue at the highest political level. He acquainted DPM Marković with the solution that Italy applies in the fight against mafia, particularly focusing on the crime proceeds confiscation.

He also praised the cooperation between the two countries's prosecutorial offices when it comes to data and information exchange, stressing the Šarić case as the most illustrating example of the fruitful cooperation.