German Minister of Justice: Montenegro makes notable progress in strengthening rule of law, fight against organised crime

Berlin, Germany (10 June 2014) – The efforts Montenegro makes towards strengthening the rule of law and fight against organised crime and corruption will recommend the country for EU membership and Germany is willing to support its European agenda, German Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection Heiko Mass said at the meeting with Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Duško Marković in Berlin earlier today.

DPM Marković spoke highly of good cooperation established between the two states, particularly at political and project planning levels. He also thanked Minister Mass for the continued support of the German Ministry of Justice aimed at reforming Montenegro’s judiciary system.

The two officials signed the joint statement on legal cooperation between the two ministries and underlined this document provides a sound basis for defining and implementing projects of common interest, having in mind the challenges Montenegro has to deal with during its EU negotiation process.

DPM Marković also met in Berlin with Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Adviser on European Affairs to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Adviser Meyer-Landrut stressed that Montenegro has made significant progress not only within its normative and institutional reform processes, but also in strengthening the balance of the results achieved in the field.

The two officials agreed Montenegro has successfully implemented criteria form its Euro-Atlantic agenda, which allows the country to be optimistic in its expectations regarding the coming NATO Summit.

The meeting also discussed regional cooperation in the Western Balkan. Mr Meyer-Landrut commended the efforts being invested in strengthening trust among these states, as one of the key aspects of regional safety and stability.