EC Report: Noted Results in the Fight Against Cigarette Smuggling, Lack of Judicial Accountability

The European Commission (EC) noted in its annual report on Montenegro the country's achievements in the fight against cigarette smuggling and noted that timely filling of high judicial and prosecutorial positions remains a challenge, and that results in the area of ​​judicial accountability remain limited. In addition, it was stated that Podgorica must work on implementing the media laws adopted last year - "Vijesti" has learned.

The EC report will be presented tomorrow (November 4).

According to unofficial information from the editorial office, the draft report mentioned that 442.192 packs of cigarettes were smuggled through customs in the previous period, which resulted in financial damage of 442.270.096 euros to the state budget.

It was noted that in November 2024, the Customs Administration, with the support of the British service "HM Revenue and Customs", completed the inventory of seized cigarettes stored in the Free Zone of the Port of Bar, and that between June and September, the destruction of seized cigarettes was completed, with approximately 1,7 million kilograms of tobacco being destroyed.

It was noted that last year, the basic state prosecutor's offices filed 25 criminal charges for tobacco smuggling against 25 people, and that a total of about 1.707 kilograms of cut tobacco worth 93.392 euros was seized.

Application of media laws

According to unofficial information from "Vijesti", the draft document, in the area of ​​media policy, states that, after several failed attempts to appoint the missing members of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU), Montenegro must ensure the effective implementation of the media laws adopted in 2024 and protect the independence of the media regulator.

It is added that the state should also strengthen the institutional response to disinformation and hate speech, in accordance with the National Media Strategy of Montenegro 2023–2027, in order to ensure media freedom, pluralism and the integrity of the information space.

In addition, it is emphasized that Montenegro will have to harmonize national media legislation with the European Media Freedom Act, and that the competent authorities have begun a review of compliance with that act.

It was also noted that following significant legislative improvements introduced through a comprehensive package of media laws, adopted in June 2024, national media legislation has been largely aligned with the acquis communautaire of the European Union (EU).

Progress in Chapter 31

According to information from "Vijesti", the draft EC report emphasizes that Montenegro has made significant progress in the area of ​​EU foreign, security and defense policy (Chapter 31).

It was noted that very good progress has been made, as the country has maintained continuity in full compliance with the statements of the EU High Representative made on behalf of that community and with the Council's decisions on sanctions, as well as due to the adoption of a new law on restrictive measures, in line with the recommendations of the EU and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

It was also stated that Montenegro also continued its participation in EU crisis management missions and operations within the framework of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP).

Fighting cybercrime

According to the newspaper's unofficial information, the draft report noted continued progress in the fight against cybercrime, as well as in the prevention of this type of crime.

It was said that members of the High-Tech Crime Suppression Group conducted a preventive investigative operation to identify victims of child sexual exploitation, as well as holding a series of lectures for students aimed at raising awareness about cybersecurity.

It was also noted that during 2024, the results in the prosecution and conviction of human trafficking cases continued to improve.

The draft report highlighted that the courts had issued two final judgments finding the defendants guilty of exploitation in forced marriage and of solicitation, and again of exploitation in forced marriage, and sentenced them to prison terms.

It was noted that in October 2024, at the initiative of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, information material on access to free legal aid was prepared in five languages ​​and distributed to all relevant institutions. The Judicial Training Center has started developing specialized training on human trafficking to increase the capacity of lawyers to provide legal aid to victims.

"Vijesti" reported last week that Montenegro had progressed faster than last year in 18 of the 33 chapters in negotiations with the EU, but had slowed down, or received lower scores in the two most important for approaching membership in that community - 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security), although the score of readiness for closure had increased in them.

These are preliminary assessments from the draft EC report on Montenegro, which were obtained by the Mission of Montenegro to the EU and prepared an analysis on it.

According to unofficial information from the editorial office, out of the 18 chapters in which it made progress, Podgorica received a high progress rating in six of them - "very good". These are chapters 31 (EU foreign, security and defense policy), 9 (financial services), 32 (financial supervision), 3 (right of establishment and freedom to provide services), 6 (commercial law) and 7 (intellectual property law).

Negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the EU began on 29 June 2012. Since then, Podgorica has opened all 33 chapters and temporarily closed seven (three at the end of last year and one in June this year). These are chapters 25 (science and research), 26 (education and culture), 30 (external relations), 7 (intellectual property law), 10 (information society and media), 20 (entrepreneurship and industrial policy) and 5 (public procurement).