The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) has initiated an ex officio procedure to determine whether there is a conflict of interest between the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ervin Ibrahimović, after his daughter Aldina Ibrahimović temporarily seconded to work at the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
The Agency announced this to "Vijesti", responding to questions about whether there is a conflict of interest or a risk of a conflict of interest in this case, considering that she is the daughter of the minister who heads the department from which she was sent to the diplomatic and consular mission.
"Regarding the circumstances stated in your question, the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption has initiated ex officio proceedings to determine the existence of a conflict of interest of the public official to whom the inquiry relates. The proceedings are ongoing," the ASK stated.
Last week, "Vijesti" reported that Aldina Ibrahimović has been working at the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the Council of Europe since September 1, in the position of Third Secretary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at the time that this is the entry-level and lowest diplomatic position in the diplomatic and consular mission.
Her assignment from the MFA to Strasbourg was explained by preparations for Montenegro's chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which begins in November, stating that the Ministry's activities have been further intensified as a result.
"The said engagement would serve the purpose of carrying out tasks within the competence of the Ministry and implementing activities related to Montenegro's chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe," the MFA wrote in its response to questions from "Vijesti" about whether it is true that Ibrahimović was sent to the Mission in Strasbourg, and if so, on what occasion and what qualifications recommended her.
When it comes to qualifications, the MFA claims that Aldina Ibrahimović performed tasks directly related to the Council of Europe, and that she has been engaged in the diplomatic department for almost three years.
According to the Law on the Prevention of Corruption (Article 9), a conflict of interest in the performance of a public function exists “when the private interest of a public official or a person associated with a public official influences, may influence or may appear to influence the impartiality of a public official in the performance of a public function, as well as in other situations that may lead to a conflict of interest”.
According to Article 8 of the same law, a person related to a public official is "a relative of a public official in the direct and collateral line up to the second degree of kinship, a relative by in-laws up to the first degree of kinship, a married or common-law spouse, a partner in a same-sex life partnership, an adoptive parent and an adopted child, a member of a common household..."
The media has previously reported on Aldina Ibrahimović's engagement in the ministry headed by her father, but the MVP did not respond to questions about the exact time of employment, job position, and the basis on which she was employed.
Ervin Ibrahimović became Minister of Foreign Affairs in July 2024, when his Bosniak Party became part of the Government through a reconstruction.
When it comes to the employment of members of Minister Ibrahimović's immediate family, it was written that his wife Nisera Ibrahimović since July 2025, employed in the Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System (CEDIS), as an environmental specialist, while her brother Faruk Ibrahimovic engaged in the Electricity Market Operator (COTEE).
Montenegro holds the presidency since November
As previously announced by the Government, Montenegro will begin its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in November 2026, when it is expected to officially present the priorities of its six-month chairmanship at a handover ceremony. The chairmanship ends in May 2027, with a session of the Committee at the level of foreign ministers, which is usually held in the country holding the chairmanship.
The Government's Information on the 2024 Presidency states that preparations for this have been recognized in the Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy Guidelines for the period 2026-2027, and that accordingly, funds have been allocated for the presidency through the budget for the current year, in the amount of 531.699 euros.
"Within such a framework, during 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focused on creating the prerequisites for the presidency and strengthening human resources capacities within the MFA, both in the Directorate for the OSCE and the Council of Europe itself, and, crucially, in the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg," the document states.
The Council of Europe is the oldest pan-European political organization. It was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Strasbourg. Its fundamental goals are the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and the rule of law in its member states. The Council of Europe has 46 member states.
The Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the Council of Europe is headed by Ambassador Dragana Šćepanović, who officially took up the position of Permanent Representative on 26 August this year. She previously held that position Božidarka Krunić.
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