Norway to continue supporting Montenegro's rule of law, judiciary reform

Podgorica, Montenegro (3 December 2013) -- Norway will continue to back up Montenegro's activities towards strengthening the rule of law and pursuing judicial reform through providing financial support for projects in this area. Such a decision came as a result of successful implementation and excellent results of previous joint projects in this field, such as introduction of free legal aid system, reform of Montenegro’s misdemeanour system and development of ICT in the judiciary, Norwegian Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvag told Tuesday Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković in Podgorica.

Referring to each of the joint projects, DPM Marković informed the Ambassador about further improvement of the free legal aid system through providing equipment for these offices in all fifteen basic courts in Montenegro, as well as about the plan for misdemeanour system reform within a broader plan for court network rationalisation.

He pointed out the efficiency of the judiciary has been improved significantly through implementing the judicial information system enabling random distribution of cases to courts, which directly contributes to strengthening citizens' confidence in the judiciary.

The meeting also discussed a direct connection between activities aimed at strengthening the rule of law and influx of foreign investment and economic prosperity of the country. By the same token, both sides agreed there is scope for further improvement of the situation in that area, emphasising in particular successful operation of the Norwegian company Telenor in Montenegro