Pažin, Jourova: Judicial cooperation between Montenegro and EU is important part of accession process

Sofia, Bulgaria (26 October 2017) -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Zoran Pažin met in Sofia with European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Vera Jourova.

Noting the growing commitment of the European Union to the enlargement policy, DPM Pažin informed Ms Jourova about the achievements of Montenegro in the process of strengthening the system of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters. He especially emphasised the activities that are being carried out in relation to the drafting of the Law on judicial cooperation in criminal matters with the EU member states, which will regulate judicial cooperation with the member states once Montenegro becomes part of the club of European countries. He said that he is hopeful that the recent appointment of prosecutors in front of Montenegro in EUROJUST will be an additional contribution of Montenegro to a joint fight against organised and other forms of crime on the European continent.

European Commissioner Jourova welcomed the activities undertaken by Montenegro towards boosting its capacities for international judicial cooperation. She welcomed the activities undertaken by the European Union and Montenegro with the aim of strengthening international legal cooperation and integration of Montenegro into European judicial forums. In that context, Ms Jourova positively reflected on the efforts of Montenegro and announced that Montenegro's accession to the EU Justice Programme could soon be expected as one of the key programmes for financing and overall support for activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of state judicial authorities.

Both sides agreed that the intensified cooperation between the EU and Montenegro in the field of justice opens up new opportunities for strengthening the partnership. In order to maintain an adequate level of communication and cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Zoran Pažin invited the European Commissioner to visit Montenegro, which would also be an opportunity for the signing of the agreement on the accession of Montenegro to the EU Justice Programme.