Koprivica meets with Deputy Chief of Mission to US Embassy Podgorica and delegation of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Judiciary, and Anti-Corruption Momo Koprivica met with Deputy Chief of Mission to US Embassy Podgorica Nicolle Otallah and representatives of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in Montenegro.

The Deputy Prime Minister's Office informed the INL representatives that continuous efforts will be made to enhance inter-agency cooperation among all entities involved in the fight against corruption. This will involve the formation of operational teams at lower levels within the National Council for the Fight against Corruption, composed of experts who will work directly, with the support of international partners, on drafting the Strategy and Action Plan.

Considering that strengthening the rule of law is central to both processes, the Deputy Prime Minister briefed the participants on the Government's legislative reform efforts. An inter-ministerial working group has been established within the Government to amend the Law on the Prevention of Corruption, tasked with implementing recommendations from the Council of Europe and the European Commission, aiming to reach the highest standards in this area.

Deputy Prime Minister Koprivica emphasised that the Government is ready to invite US experts to contribute directly to the Council's sessions and the work of its working groups. This would provide an opportunity for foreign experts to directly monitor potential projects relevant to the areas of corruption and organised crime, as well as the implementation of existing projects supported by the US Embassy.

The meeting also addressed the Strategy to Combat Transnational Organised Crime. In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office thanked the ICITAP programme of the US Embassy for its support in drafting the aforementioned document. It was noted that this Strategy is a government priority and it was emphasised that there will be no overlap with the Anti-Corruption Strategy, which is also ensured by the Government's methodology for developing strategic documents.

The Government sees the possibility for the US Embassy to provide support through organising training in the areas of financial investigations, money laundering, and asset recovery. US assistance in these areas, based on the best practices and standards of the EU and the Council of Europe, as well as on judgments of the European Court of Human Rights related to asset recovery, can be beneficial for prosecutors, judges, and police officers.

Deputy Prime Minister Koprivica invited US representatives to involve their experts in the work of operational teams to be formed within the National Council for the Fight against Corruption, where they will have the opportunity to identify projects of importance for Montenegro concerning the fight against organised crime and corruption.

The importance of continuing cooperation and support from the US Embassy to Montenegro's judicial institutions was emphasised in order for Montenegro to fulfill its obligations in the EU accession process as soon as possible.