PM Marković meets with Association of Lawyers: Dialogue builds powerful institutions and stronger rule of law

There is an indisputable need for broad dialogue by Montenegrin society, in order to overcome divisions and to better understand socio-political actors, it was noted at the meeting, held within the Alliance for Europe Initiative, between Prime Minister Duško Marković and representatives of the Association of Lawyers of Montenegro.

Prime Minister Marković pointed out the importance of gathering Montenegro's overall social and political potential around European values and, through discussion, an exchange of ideas and opinions to find a common interest and agreement for solutions that would accelerate the process of European integration.

Representatives of the Association of Lawyers, led by their President and Editor-in-Chief of the magazine "Pravni zbornik" Branislav Radulović pointed to particular issues related to the challenges in the functioning of institutional democracy and the rule of law.

The meeting pointed to the significance of dialogue and cooperation with the academic community and professional organisations, their more active involvement in the drafting process of laws and programs, as well as strengthening the function of public discussions on the draft laws proposed by the Government.

The Association of Lawyers particularly underlined the importance of advancing the negotiation process with the EU in Chapters 23 and 24, interrupting v.d. situation in a number of state bodies and institutions, adopting the new Civil Code, amending the Criminal Code, the Law on NGOs, implementing of the Law on Freedom of Religion, continuing reform and professionalisation of public administration and improving the procedure for election to scientific titles at the University and education model of lawyers in Montenegro.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Public Administration Suzana Pribilović, Chief Negotiator with EU Aleksandar Drljević, Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro Maja Kostić Mandić, Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro Nebojša Vučinić, Lawyer Ana Stanković Mugoša and Secretary General of the Association of Lawyers and former Secretary of the editorial board of the magazine for legal theory and practice "Pravni zbornik" Jadranka Vojinović.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

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