CoE Secretary-General: Montenegro makes notable progress in judiciary, constitutional amendments, minority rights

Podgorica, Montenegro (9 November 2013) – Ever since joining the Council of Europe, Montenegro has made significant progress in adopting reform legislation, strengthening institutional capacity and fulfilling obligations related to the ratification of the Council’s conventions and protocols, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland underlined at the meeting with Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić on Friday. He pointed out that Montenegro was particularly successful in the areas of judiciary, constitutional amendments and minority rights.

Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić said that Montenegro will continue to be active and responsible partner of the Council of Europe. He expressed his satisfaction with the successful long-term cooperation in boosting democracy, strengthening the rule of law and protecting human rights in Montenegro, adding that the Council of Europe is a reliable and constructive partner of Montenegro in the dynamic process of reform and strengthening the democratic capacities of the Montenegrin society.

Montenegro is firmly committed to strengthening the principles of multilateralism, as evidenced by the implementation and promotion of the fundamental values of the Council of Europe, DPM Lukšić reiterated.

He said that the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation, as well as cooperation with international organisations, are Montenegro’s top foreign policy priorities.

It was agreed that Montenegro’s evident progress in implementing the CoE’s recommendations and the country’s commitment to regional cooperation, promotion of good neighbourly policy and the preservation of regional dialogue are the best recommendations for the its economic growth and progress towards European and Euro-Atlantic structures.