Montenegro continues cooperation with UN institutions in combating organised crime and corruption

Podgorica, Montenegro (5 September 2012) – Montenegro has achieved significant results in the areas of judicial reform and fight against organised crime and corruption. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) Regional Programme for good governanace, justice and security for 2012-2015 is an important mechanism for making progress in that regard, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights and UNDOC's Executive Director Yury Fedotov agreed at a meeting in Podgorica earlier today.

Mr Fedotov, who came to Montenegro to present the Regional Programme for the next three years, thanked Montenegro for the support provided in implementing the UN body's regional programme.

DPM Marković welcomed the active role that UNODC has in South East Europe, and pointed out that Montenegro, by recognising regional cooperation as a powerful mechanism in combating organised crime and corruption, initiated and successfully implemented a number of bilateral agreements with the countries of the region.

He also stressed that the UNODC’s support, which is to be provided through the forthcoming three-year regional programme, is important for Montenegro from the point of view of its EU integration efforts as well, taking particular account of the negotiation chapters 23 and 24. 

The meeting agreed the concrete cooperation in recognising areas where these programmes can further strengthen the effectiveness of the Montenegrin judiciary, prosecutorial and police authorities, through technical expertise and support, but also through the organisation of seminars and workshops which would deal with practical problems and ways of solving them.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against drug trafficking, organised crime, terrorism and corruption. The Office was established in 1997 by merging the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Center for the Prevention of Crime. It functions worldwide through an extensive network of offices in the member states.

UNODC is obliged to assist the member states in combating drug trafficking, terrorism and crime. It also conducts various researches, analysis, normative activities (conventions adoption) and provides technical support.

Montenegro joined UNODC in October 2006.