PM Krivokapić opens the 14th National Anti-Corruption Conference

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić opened the 14th National Anti-Corruption Conference, organised by the NGO Network for the Affirmation of the NGO Sector (MANS).

PM Krivokapić express gratitude for everything that MANS did in the previous period. It is our obligation to appreciate those who constantly point to the corruption problems that need to be addressed. He added that this is a topic that must bring us all together. If we do not act together, but individually, as Vanja Ćalović Marković, then we will not come to an adequate response.

Corruption is always present in every society. Poor countries are less resistant to corruption. Also, if you do not have a judiciary that responds adequately, then you have an additional problem. Third, activities of non-governmental organisations and the media, which must pay special attention to this problem, represent additional response to this extremely important disorder that should concern us all. Reducing monopoly and eliminating discretion is our task as a state administration, but that is why it is important that you constantly remind of the importance of transparency. In order for everything to function as citizens expect, we all need to make additional efforts and clearly identify all the problems and try to minimize the causes of those problems, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister reminded that the first political corruption took place back in 1997. At that time, 10,000 votes were stolen, which was justified by the fact that the computer made a mistake. From that moment on, political corruption is permanently present. He expressed hope that Montenegro is mature as a society to fight against corruption.

PM Krivokapić reminded of the many corruption examples in our country that have reached the level of scandals, adding that many of them were included in the reports of the European Commission but that impunity was recorded in all cases. When you have impunity, then anything is possible. Therefore, criminal liability and punishment are preconditions for changing the systems where corruption is evident. That is why I am concerned about the fact that there is no progress in the branch that still remains trapped, and that is the judiciary. Until changes occur in the judicial system of Montenegro, from the prosecutor's office to the judiciary, we will talk and draw good conclusions, and we will all go home satisfied, thinking that we have solved something, but in fact, nothing has moved from the starting position, said PM Krivokapić.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that we will achieve the goal we all expect, that we will get rid of burdens, and one of the biggest is corruption.