Montenegro sets high standards in the reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption and can be a model for other countries in the region, it was announced at the meeting of the Deputy Prime Minister Momo Koprivic and the Austrian Minister of Justice Alma Zadić.
Koprivica, at the meeting with Zadić in Vienna, thanked Austria for its continuous support to Montenegro in its efforts towards full membership in the European Union (EU).
He emphasized that the Government of Montenegro has made significant progress in strengthening the capacity to fight corruption, including the harmonization of legislation with the acquis of the EU, a new strategic framework and the strengthening of judicial institutions.
Koprivica, as stated, particularly highlighted the procedures that are in the process, which are related to high-level corruption, and in this sense he mentioned the extremely important role of the Special State Prosecutor's Office and the Special Police Department, which, he added, deserve full support in work.
"Consequently, Montenegro received a positive report on the fulfillment of temporary benchmarks (IBAR), as well as an assessment for the first time in the European Commission's Report on Montenegro, that good progress has been achieved in chapters 23 and 24", stated Koprivica.
Zadić pointed out that since her visit to Montenegro at the beginning of the year, significant progress has been made in internal reforms in the country.
She confirmed that Austria will continue to support Montenegro in strengthening the compliance system in the fight against corruption and improving the integrity of judges and prosecutors.
Zadić, as stated, added that Montenegro's progress on the road to the EU will play an important role for the entire region, stressing that Montenegro is a leader and a positive example, especially after receiving the IBAR and the announcement of closing the chapter in the negotiations.
To this end, the Ministry of Justice of Austria, it is added, has signed joint declarations on cooperation in the field of justice with the relevant ministries of the countries of the region, which represents a significant success, especially in chapters 23 and 24.
"The interlocutors agreed that Montenegro sets high standards in the reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, and that it can be a model for other countries in the region," says the Government announcement.
Koprivica and Zadić, it is added, stressed the importance of recognizing this progress.
"It was agreed to continue the cooperation between Montenegro and Austria, especially through the existing support mechanisms that Austrian institutions provide to Montenegrin partners," the announcement says.
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