Kick off “Strengthening the integrity framework in the public administration with emphasis on security and defence areas” project

A presentation of the project “Strengthening the integrity framework in the public administration with emphasis on security and defence areas”, implemented by the Centre for Integrity in the Defence Sector within the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro, was held today at hotel “Podgorica”. 

The project is generally aimed at contributing to the creation of a better public integrity framework by reducing legal and institutional risks of corruption in the security and defence sector.

State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mr Bojan Šarkić expressed his belief that the implementation of the project activities would have a direct effect on the fulfilment of obligations defined by integration processes.“We believe this project will provide direct support to the fulfilment of obligations arising from the NATO accession process, as well as to the implementation of Montenegrin Action Plan for Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) within EU negotiation process.“

Šarkić reminded of the recent adoption and publication of the Integrity Plan of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Montenegro 2014 – 2016, emphasizing that this document follows the recommendations given in the Report of the Norwegian Agency for Public Management and eGovernment, as well as those in the Report of the NATO SEE Programme Team – Building integrity in the defence and security sectors.

Ministry of the Interior adopted its Integrity Plan in February 2014, which is the first step to strengthen the integrity of police officers. According to the Director General of the MoI Directorate for Security and Protection Affairs and Supervision, Mr Miloš Vukčević, the implementation of this document is extremely important, as violations of police integrity would question their primary role of preserving and promoting the safety of citizens of Montenegro.

“MoI has been committed to achieving this goal and we have undertaken a series of both preventive and repressive activities. Our Integrity Plan has the purpose to establish mechanisms which will enable efficient functioning of the Ministry by means of strengthened accountability, simplified procedures, increased transparency in decision making process, controlled discretionary powers and respect for ethical values”, Vukčević elaborated.

Director of the Centre for Integrity in the Defence Sector (CIDS), Mr Bard Bredrup Knudsen presented operations of the Centre he manages, while the representative of the Ministry of Defence of Norway, Mr Morten Ringheim expressed his belief that the cooperation between Montenegro and Norway in this project would be as successful as previous one.

Representative of the NATO Programme on strengthening integrity, Ms Nadia Milanova, commended a continuous interest shown by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior in affirmation and application of the integrity strengthening concept, adding that the Project was designed to assist Montenegro in the promotion of good conduct in the public administration.

The project Strengthening the integrity framework in the public administration with emphasis on security and defence areas is designed as a three year initiative, which will be implemented with the financial support of the Kingdom of Norway. 

MoD

MoI