Our goal is for the public administration of Montenegro to be a true service to citizens, operating openly, transparently and responsibly, announced the Minister of Public Administration Maraš Dukaj.
"The right to free access to information is not only a legal obligation, but also an essential prerequisite for democracy and citizens' trust in institutions," Dukaj said in a statement.
The Ministry of Public Administration (MPA) of Montenegro announced that the ministry "joins the global celebration of Free Access to Information Week, confirming once again that transparency, accountability and openness are the foundations of a democratic society."
"The right to free access to information is of particular importance for Montenegrin society. In the process of European integration, free access to information is gaining additional importance, as it contributes to the adoption of European standards and the development of a culture of accountability and transparency in the work of public authorities. Ultimately, for citizens themselves, this means greater access to data that affects their everyday lives - from information on public finances and education, to environmental protection and the healthcare system - which strengthens their participation in social and political processes," the statement emphasizes.
The MPA added that over the past year they have implemented a series of activities to improve the exercise of the right to free access to information and strengthen the principles of open administration:
"Drafting a new Law on Free Access to Information - The Ministry, in broad consultation with civil society, institutions and international partners, has prepared a Draft Law that is aligned with European standards and best international practices. The new law will bring a more efficient mechanism for protecting citizens' rights, greater accountability of public authorities and a clearer framework for proactive disclosure of information.
Development and improvement of the open data portal (data.gov.me) – The Ministry has significantly increased the number of available datasets in recent months, especially in the areas of health, education, environment and public finance. This enables citizens, businesses and researchers to have greater access to and use of data for innovation, analysis and evidence-based policymaking.
"Preparation of the new National Action Plan of the Open Government Partnership (2026–2029) - The Ministry, in cooperation with civil society and relevant institutions, is actively working on creating a new action plan that will define priorities and measures for improving transparency, accountability and citizen participation in decision-making in the next three-year period," the statement reads.
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