Montenegro cannot close Chapter 23 in negotiations with the European Union (EU) unless it provides better conditions for the work of the judiciary, said Justice Minister Bojan Božović.
Today, at an extraordinary session of the Parliament, he explained the amendments to the Law on the Constitutional Court, the Judicial Council and the State Prosecutor's Office, which envisage extending the right of judges and prosecutors to a salary supplement of 30 percent of their basic salary until the end of the year.
Božović emphasized to the MPs that this is the most important year for the European process and that it is impossible to expect that Montenegro will close negotiation chapter 23 unless better conditions for the work of the judiciary are provided.
Speaking about the proposed solution that envisages a 30 percent increase in earnings, Božović said that he is aware that it is not ideal.
"I am aware that 30 percent compensation, according to many opinions, also represents an unfair solution, but it is difficult to make a clear distinction with one standard," said Božović.
He said that the most vulnerable are the judges of basic courts, especially those who do not have on-call duties, special allowances and readiness, and that it is because of them that they have proposed a solution that is being discussed in parliament today.
Božović emphasized that he is aware that the proposed solutions will provoke criticism, but that strengthening the judiciary is a prerequisite for progress in European integration.
"We cannot close negotiation chapters 23 and 24 without a strong judiciary, and ultimately support for those who are the best within the judiciary, who struggle with numerous challenges on a daily basis," said Božović.
He said that the key obligation of the Ministry of Justice is to draft a special law on salaries for judicial office holders and for judges of the Constitutional Court.
"The draft law should be sent to the European Commission for its opinion in early March, and after receiving a positive opinion, I hope we will have it in parliament," said Božović.
He also announced amendments to other laws, including the laws on the Judicial Council and judges, on the state prosecutor's office, the law on the special state prosecutor's office, as well as the drafting of a law on a special court by the end of the year.
"Within these laws, there will be mechanisms for examining responsibility - ethical, disciplinary, but also the measurability of the work of each individual within the judiciary," said Božović.
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