DPM Pažin: Investing in modernisation of judiciary provides more efficient protection of citizens' rights and better business environment

By enhancing the efficiency of the judiciary through the use of advanced information technologies, we provide more firm guarantees of equal rights for all citizens and create a reliable legal basis for our business community, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Zoran Pažin emphasised at a meeting with Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro Fiona McCluney and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Montenegro Arne Sanes Bjornstad.

Deputy Prime Minister Pažin, Ambassador Bjornstad and UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro McCluney signed today the Agreement on joint financing of the project "Improving the efficiency of the judiciary - Application of ICT in the judiciary".

"We thank the partners from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway and UNDP for supporting this important project. Today's signing of the Joint Financing Agreement provides a significant investment in the modernisation of the judicial network, which will facilitate access to justice for Montenegrin citizens, increase efficiency in the fight against crime, and improve legal security and business environment for our businessmen and investors," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

"One of the main goals of Norway's assistance to Montenegro is the development of the rule of law and stability. This is a continuation of the long-term cooperation between Norway and Montenegro that supports Montenegro's reform programme in strengthening the efficiency of the judicial system," Ambassador Bjornstad said.

"Since 2004, the UNDP and the Ministry of Justice have been working closely in the field of judicial reform, including the financial support of the Kingdom of Norway. This project will contribute to strengthening the confidence of citizens in the judicial system, protection of human rights and freedoms. This is of particular importance for further progress in EU integration, and at the same time the way towards achieving the goals of sustainable development by 2030," UNDP Resident Representative Fiona McCluney said.

The total value of the project is EUR 1.32 millions. The Government of Montenegro provided EUR 535,600, while the remaining funds were provided by UNDP Montenegro, through donor support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway.