The Council of Europe is ready to provide additional expert assistance to the Ministry of Culture and Media during the drafting of media laws, which will significantly contribute to obtaining the highest quality legal solutions.
This was announced during a meeting between the Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, and the head of the Council of Europe office for Montenegro, Lejla Dervišagić.
Vujović pointed out that the Directorate for Media functions with limited personnel capacities, stating that one of the priorities will be the inclusion of expert assistance from the Council of Europe.
The minister emphasized the importance of adopting new media laws as soon as possible, pointing out that they are high on the priority list of the Ministry of Culture and Media, as well as the new Government, that department announced.
"We are aware that all actors in the process of drafting these laws cannot be completely satisfied with the solutions offered, but we want to reach a compromise in the broadest possible consensus and propose to the Parliament the highest quality media laws," stated Vujović.
The interlocutors considered the possibility of additional expert assistance to the working groups for drafting laws, which would make an important contribution to the process of adopting new legal solutions.
The importance of portal registration and transparency of media ownership, prohibition of media concentration, are key elements for improving the media sector in Montenegro, agree Vujović and Dervišagić, as announced by the ministry.
Dervišagić pointed out that the Council of Europe is ready to support and provide assistance to the Ministry of Culture and Media in defining new norms when drafting media laws.
She also emphasized that freedom of expression is extremely important and emphasized the importance of cooperation and continuous communication with the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the OSCE and the United Nations, as international organizations ready to offer their experts in solving complex procedures.
"Regional cooperation is also very important, because what is resolved in one country can serve as a good example for others," said Dervišagić.
In addition to media laws, the meeting also discussed changes to laws in the field of culture, especially those related to cultural heritage.
Vujović stated that every support and experience of partner organizations, as well as countries facing similar challenges, is important for Montenegro.
"That's why I express my belief that the foreign experts who will be involved in this process will make a significant contribution to perform a high-quality analysis of the sector and propose adequate solutions," said Vujović.
The interlocutors also discussed the importance of Cultural Routes, a program of the Council of Europe whose primary goal is to strengthen cultural cooperation among European countries, in which MKM actively participates.
Dervišagić assessed that it is important to further promote and affirm the importance of this program for all participating countries in the coming period.
The meeting also discussed initiatives for the implementation of new projects and activities, with a special focus on issues related to the social integration of the RE population.
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