Montenegro presents level of compliance with EU acquis in judiciary and fundamental rights

Brussels, Belgium (31 May 2012) – The two-day meeting between Montenegro and the European Union discussing the level of compliance of Montenegro’s legal system with the EU acquis with regard to judiciary and fundamental rights was completed in Brussels earlier today.

The members of the Working Group for Chapter 23 presented the EU representatives with Montenegro’s legislation framework and the level of its compliance with the EU acquis. The topics and areas covered by the chapter are related to judicial reform when it comes to ensuring independence, impartiality, efficiency and professionalism, as well as procedural protection measures, anti-corruption policy which includes repressive, preventive and strategic approach, fundamental rights involving minority rights and anti discrimination measures, protection of personal data and the rights of EU citizens.

The EU representatives noted that the Montenegrin legislation in these fields has been largely harmonised with that of the EU and that its efforts in the coming period should be focused on its implementation and capacity building.

It was concluded that Montenegro has been successfully implementing the overall reforms towards further harmonisation with the EU acquis in the field o judiciary and fundamental rights, and that no difficulties in enforcing the EU acquis are not expected until the moment of accession.

The meeting is the end of the screening phase related to the compliance of chapters 23 and 24 according to the new EU model, after which the report on the screening for the two chapters will be drafted. The report will form the basis for further negotiations in terms of judiciary and fundamental rights, that is, justice, freedom and security.