High-ranking officials of the Government of Montenegro may not subordinate the public interest to the private one, nor may they accept gifts, other than special ones, worth up to 25 euros. They are obliged to refrain from inappropriate statements and comments on social networks. This is stated in the Guidelines for strengthening the ethics and integrity of high officials of the executive power, which the Government adopted yesterday.
The guidelines, as reported by Portal RTCG, refer to the Prime Minister, Vice President, members of the Government, State Secretaries in the Ministries, advisers to the President and Vice President of the Government, heads of administrative bodies, as well as to all those officials and two years after the termination of office.
The guidelines state that in the performance of their functions, high officials of the executive power are obliged to adhere to several principles.
Conflict of interests
The document also states that a high-ranking official may not perform his duties in such a way that the public interest is not subordinated to the private interest. They must not cause a conflict of interest in the performance of a public function.
"A senior official of the executive branch will try to avoid any actions that create the impression that the law or ethical standards are being violated. A high-ranking official of the executive power can assume other positions or functions in accordance with the restrictions contained in the Constitution of Montenegro and other laws," the guidelines state.
The document also states, among other things, that upon termination of public office, a high-ranking official shall not use or misuse confidential information obtained during the exercise of public office.
"Upon termination of public office, a high official of the executive power, in accordance with the law, does not establish a working relationship in organizations that would benefit from the decisions of the authorities in which he held office," the guidelines state.
Gifts up to 25 euros
The document also states that high-ranking officials of the executive power do not receive gifts, except for occasional gifts of up to 25 euros, which, as it is added, do not endanger his activities and do not cast doubt on his work, and thus also on the public's trust.
"An exception is the protocol gifts that the representative of Montenegro receives during international visits or on similar occasions. A high-ranking official of the executive branch cannot receive more than one gift from the same donor during one calendar year," the document states.
A high-ranking official, as announced, may not ask for, condition, or allow someone to receive gifts on his behalf for any service related to the exercise of his office.
Reporting income and assets
In addition, officials are obliged to submit a report on income and assets in accordance with the law.
"In order to strengthen the public's trust in his work, a high-ranking official of the executive branch should, in response to questions directed to him by representatives of the media or the general public, be ready to clarify matters concerning publicly published data from his report," the guidelines state. as reported by Portal RTCG.
In addition, every high official of the executive power can be a lobbyist and is obliged to comply with the legal rules regarding relations with lobbyists.
"A high official of the executive branch does not accept any gift or item, right, service or other benefit from a lobbyist or from a legal entity engaged in lobbying activities," the document states.
The document also states that officials must not allow themselves to be in a conflict of interest.
"In his actions, the high official of the executive branch respects the principles of professionalism, ethics, openness, impartiality and equal treatment," the document states.
Respect for the public interest
The guidelines state that a senior official of the executive branch always gives priority to the public interest for the good and prosperity of all citizens under equal conditions.
"A senior official of the executive branch protects the public interest, not abusing his office to facilitate his relative, other related person and friend to gain some benefit. In situations where the objectivity and impartiality of decision-making can be called into question, a high-ranking official of the executive authority will try to exclude himself from decision-making even when this is not required by the rules prescribed by law or another act, and he will definitely try not to abuse his powers in favor of an individual, group, relatives or related persons", the government document states.
Transparency and credibility
The guidelines also state that a high official of the executive authority is obliged to perform his function in a transparent manner and provide true information about his activities, decisions and motives for them, to the extent permitted by law.
"Transparent execution of work is reflected, among other things, in a proactive approach, cooperation of institutions and public announcement of activities, in accordance with regulations, with the aim of eliminating any suspicion of the existence of corruption or other illegal actions," the guidelines state.
Objectivity
As stated in the guidelines, a high-ranking official of the executive power performs his duty objectively and does not make decisions with the aim of obtaining illegal material or non-material benefits for himself, his family, other related persons or friends.
In addition, high-ranking officials are obliged to take care in every situation not to degrade the function they perform, not to hurt the reputation of other high-ranking officials of the executive power and the reputation of the Government, through behavior, written or spoken words.
Official good host
The guidelines provide that in the management and use of public funds, officials act with the care of a good host.
"A high official of the executive power will not undertake anything that could lead to the use of budget funds directly or indirectly for private purposes," the guidelines state.
In addition, it also states that a high official does not use public resources for party or election campaign purposes.
"A high official of the executive power is politically neutral in the performance of his function and performs his function on behalf of all citizens and serves equally for all, regardless of political affiliation," the guidelines state.
The guidelines also regulate the issue of relations with the media.
"A high-ranking official of the executive power is called upon to carefully answer questions from the media regarding the performance of his duties, but he is not obliged to provide information that is confidential in accordance with the law, as well as those related to his private life. "A high-ranking official of the executive branch seeks to encourage and promote any measure that increases openness to the public," the document states.
Refraining from inappropriate statements and comments
In addition, the document also refers to the behavior of officials on social networks.
"A high-ranking official of the executive power, during his announcements or comments on social networks and other electronic platforms, is obliged to refrain from inappropriate statements and comments that harm his reputation, integrity and dignity, the reputation and integrity of the Government and branches of the administration, or that insult or disparage individuals or a group of persons", is provided in the document.
In private life, as stated in the document, a high official of the executive power should respect the general principles of ethical behavior and dignity.
"Outside of working hours, a high official of the executive power must not behave in a way that can have a negative impact on the reputation of the state body and the Government. When appearing in public or when commenting on social phenomena through the media, written articles, at public gatherings, lectures, etc., a high official of the executive power is obliged to endeavor that his speech does not endanger the rights of others, and that the overall behavior is in accordance with the principles of ethical behavior. ", concludes the guidelines adopted by the Government.
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