The Council of Europe will support efforts of Montenegro within reforms in chapters 23 and 24

The Council of Europe has a great significance as the organization that promotes and protects democratic values, particularly in the time of epidemiological crisis and growing tensions in Europe, as has been concluded today at online meeting between Foreign Minister Radulović and CoE's Secretary – General Marija Pejčinović-Burić.

Head of Montenegrin diplomacy expressed the gratitude to collocutor on her personal engagement, as well as traditional support of CoE and its Program Office in Podgorica. “Guidelines and expertise that you are providing us with represent kind of indicator in our direction towards political West” he emphasized.

Minister Radulović stressed that key foreign policy activities of Montenegrin Government are oriented to NATO alliance, membership in EU and promotion of good bilateral and regional cooperation. On that line, he reminded on importance of cooperation with CoE’s bodies, with special emphasis on Venice Commission, within some of the most important reform process in our country, that are primarily reflected on thematic of pre-accession chapters 23 and 24.

Current priority is reform in prosecution and justice – collocutors appraised, while highlighting the significance of the dialogue between Government of Montenegro with representatives of Venice Commission, especially in regard of recommendations and opinions given in part of law regulations that are crucially important for this area. Minister Radulović has informed collocutor that in revised text of Proposal of the changes on Law on State Prosecutor Office the Venice Commission’s recommendations are already incorporated, thus that as such will be soon delivered to that advisory body of CoE.    

“That is sign of our commitment to the qualitative implementation of reforms, in coordination with our European partners” he concluded.

“Montenegro is credible partner of CoE, and we believe that we will jointly contribute to sooner achievement of our main foreign policy goal – membership in EU” – Pejčinović-Burić stated. She confirmed that CoE will continue to support Montenegro within key reforms through expertise and promotion of common values, thus that she has been encouraged by messages of Head of Montenegrin diplomacy in regard to qualitative and consistent communication with representatives of CoE. On that line, she stated that “it is crucial for Government to have dialogue with all political parties, on sensitive topics such as justice and prosecution, so the social consensus acceptable for all could be reached, harmonized with standards of EU and institution that I lead”.

Besides human rights and rule of law, Minister Radulović stated that Montenegro is directed towards protection of media freedom and freedom of speech as one of the bases of democratic society. Collocutors expressed the hope that they will have opportunity to exchange opinions on all topics of mutual interest in the following period.