Montenegro and France boost judical cooperation

Paris, France (11 October 2012) -- Montenegro’s Justice Minister Duško Marković and his French counterpart Christiane Taubira signed Thursday in Paris the joint statement on cooperation between the two justice ministries, which among other things, provides for the exchange of information on legislation in force, training of judges and prosecutors and other officials in the justice system, and the exchange of experiences in terms of the solutions adopted in the field of justice administration, in particular experience related to the use of various forms of information systems in the judicial process, as well as a framework for joint projects in judiciary.

The meeting between the two justice ministers was an opportunity for the public confirmation that the Montenegrin Justice Ministry’s has become an observer member of the network for legal cooperation of the EU justice ministries, thus fully implementing the European Commission’ s recommendation from the screening report for Chapter 24 related to horizontal judicial cooperation, i.e, Montenegro institutions’ accession to relevant European judicial network in observer status.

The observer status will enable Montenegro’s institutions to achieve more efficient exchange of experience and information with the institutions of EU member states concerning the implementation of the obligations from the European agenda.

Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković also met with Advisor to the French President for European Affairs Philippe Leglise-Costa in Paris. France welcomes Montenegro’s reforms in the field of strengthening the rule of law and supports the country’s progress towards the EU, which is primarily a community of values, the Advosor to the French President underlined. 

He stated that France, in the context of its foreign policy, is increasingly turning to the Western Balkans and strongly supports its integration into the EU. Montenegro, according to Mr Leglise-Costa, has been recognised as a proactive factor in regional initiatives, which contributes to the stability and prosperity of the region. He also underlined that France appreciates Montenegro’s support for French efforts in addressing issues concerning global stability and security.

Advisor Leglise-Costa stressed the importance of more intensive bilateral relations between Montenegro and France, both in political and economic spheres. The meeting also discussed specific opportunities in terms of economic cooperation and the presence of French investors in Montenegro.

Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister Duško Marković stressed that France is a strategic partner of Montenegro in achieving its national interests and foreign policy goals - EU and NATO membership.

Both sides agreed that the two countries will continue to develop project cooperation within Montenegro’s EU negotiation process, particularly in the areas of judiciary and fundamental rights, as well as justice, freedom and security.