Please note: The page below represents the archived content relating to the previous Government of Montenegro. Some of the information might be inaccurate or outdated.
Archive

EU rule of law expert mission pays visit to Montenegro

Published on: Mar 17, 2014 8:40 PM Author: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration
The introductory meeting of the EU expert mission for the areas of judicial efficiency, corruption prevention, and fight against organised crime and corruption and Montenegrin institutions dealing with these matters was held earlier today in Podgorica.

The meeting was opened by General Director for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Snežana Radović and European Commission coordinator for Chapters 23 and 24 Sabine Zwaenepoel. The four experts come from Italy, Romania, and Spain.

The expert mission’s visit, which will last from 17 until 21 March, comes as part of the new approach to EU accession negotiations and is a regular mechanism by means of which the Commission makes assessment of the developments in the areas of judiciary and fundamental rights (Chapter 23) and justice, freedom, and security (Chapter 24).

The experts will hold 73 meetings in five days with representatives of over 30 institutions. They will visit ministries, directorates, courts, prosecution offices, police branches, and other institutions tasked with implementation of laws in these areas.

The meetings will enable for a direct exchange of information between representatives of Montenegrin institutions and member-states’ experts on concrete matters related to the rule of law.

The expert mission’s visit will offer Montenegrin institutions the opportunity to showcase progress to member-states in legal harmonisation and practical implementation. The exchange of opinions and recommendations by experts will help the institutions ensure best possible results in the rule of law area.

The information the expert mission will gather during their visit will serve as a source material for the European Commission progress report issued each October.

Since the last mission (22-26 April 2013), Montenegro has made notable progress, by adopting action plans for the two chapters, the negotiating position, opening five chapters, adopting the constitutional amendments, and many important laws. The period between the two visits was marked by continuous capacity building and corresponding track record.
After this visit, two more will come to Montenegro in the period between 7 and 11 April. These missions will cover the area of fundamental rights and the experts will come from Denmark and Germany.
Is this page useful?