"On the continuation of the EU path, it is necessary to make significant progress in the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary..."

The Supreme State Prosecutor's Office (VDT) and the AIRE Center Program for the Western Balkans signed a Memorandum of Understanding, announcing cooperation on strengthening the judicial response against organized crime and improving transparency and application of the standards of the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

As announced by the AIRE Center and the VDT, the signing of the Memorandum comes at an important moment in the negotiations on Montenegro's membership in the European Union (EU), after the positive Report on the Assessment of the Fulfillment of Temporary Benchmarks in the Rule of Law Chapters (IBAR) was adopted.

"On the continuation of the EU path, it is necessary to make significant progress in the areas of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the fight against organized crime," the announcement states.

It is emphasized that the Memorandum confirms the determination of the VDT and the AIRE Center to work together to strengthen the national implementation of international standards, especially the Convention, in order to contribute to the reform of the judiciary in Montenegro and negotiations with the EU within the rule of law chapter.

Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković said that he is convinced that cooperation with the AIRE Center will contribute to the improvement of the work of the State Prosecutor's Office and a more effective fight against organized crime and corruption.

"The upcoming project activities will also contribute to improving the quality of application of the best practices of the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as well as strengthening the transparency of the state prosecutor's organization," said Marković.

The Director of the Western Balkans Program of the AIRE Center, Biljana Braithwaite, said that after more than 20 years of the presence of the AIRE Center in Montenegro and the Western Balkans, they have witnessed enormous progress in the area of ​​the rule of law and that they are proud to be in a position to support judicial institutions on this path. .

She emphasized that the Memorandum opens a new chapter in the long-term cooperation between the AIRE Center and VDT.

As stated by Braithwaite, the VDT has a key role in ensuring the rule of law, especially considering the pressing problems that threaten the stability and progress of Montenegro, such as organized crime.

"We will continue to cooperate on the implementation of professional education and research, all with the aim of harmonizing domestic prosecutorial practice with European legal standards," concluded Braithwaite.