Pažin, Legnini: New project to contribute to strengthening institutions for combating organised crime and corruption

Podgorica, Montenegro (27 November 2017) -- Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Interior and Foreign Policy Zoran Pažin hosted earlier today Vice President of the High Judicial Council of Italy Giovanni Legnini.

Emphasising importance and continuous Italy's support for Montenegro's EU bid, DPM Pažin assessed as highly positive the cooperation that will be conducted within the "EURoL II - EU Support to the Rule of Law"  project. He reiterated that the judiciary is one of the most important pillars on which the stability of a state rests and that is why high attention has been paid to judical reforms by the public.

Mr Legnini voiced willingness of the Supreme Court Council of Italy, as a partner in the project, to provide full expert support for undertaking the activities envisaged, hopeful that the know-how and skills of the Italian officials will be of benefit to their Montenegrin counterparts. He expressed belief that the project, funded by the European Commission, will also make a contribution to boosting infrastructure capacities of the Montenegrin authorities in charge of fighting corruption and organised crime.

Both sides agreed that the traditionally good relations between Montenegro and Italy form an excellent basis for further strengthening mutual cooperation and trust in the field of justice, with particular emphasis on strengthening judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters.

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The Supreme Judicial Council of Italy is the key independent body of the State in charge of the implementation of measures of importance for the preservation of autonomy and independence of the judiciary. The Supreme Court Council is chaired by the President of Italy.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER