Montenegro deepens justice cooperation with Croatia

Podgorica, Montenegro (13 June 2012) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Duško Marković met with Croatian Justice Minister Orsat Miljenić in Podgorica earlier today.

The two ministers talked about Montenegro’s position in the light of the forthcoming EU decision on launching accession talks with Montenegro in late June.

“Our friends have convinced us today that we have developed a solid track record, and that we have every reason to be optimistic, but that we have to wait for the decision to be reached,” DPM Marković told the press.

He thanked Minister Miljenić for his Ministry’s support that has been provided to Montenegro’s expert team in strengthening rule of law, judiciary reform and fight against corruption and organised crime, adding that the two countries have already arranged expert cooperation in drafting amendments to Montenegro’s Criminal Code and the Law on Criminal Procedure.

The two justice ministers also discussed the cooperation in implementing cooperation agreements, especially the extradition treaty, and the continuation of the work of two joint commissions set up in 2008 that are in charge of settling legal and other disputes between Montenegro and Croatia.

The Croatian Justice Ministry, in DPM Marković words, will continue to provide expert and other assistance to the Montenegrin Ministry in meeting objectives from the chapters 23 and 24, which will be, as he hopes, Montenegro’s starting points for accession talks with the EU.

Croatia’s Justice Minister Miljenić said that today’s fruitful meeting agreed concrete measures in exchanging experiences and deepening further cooperation.

“Our two countries belong to the same legal framework, there is a great deal of understanding between us and we are set to provide genuinely all kinds of cooperation and support,” he underlined.

He reiterated that the experts from both countries are working on other agreements that are of great significance in both criminal and civil matters, and are aimed at facilitating the life of the citizens of both countries.