"We have left behind a year that was demanding and complex, but also a year in which we showed that we are ready to act decisively and professionally, to progress and achieve results," said Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković.
He spoke at the opening of the Day of State Prosecutors of Montenegro, which is not attended by any of the three presidents: of the state, the government or the parliament - Jakov Milatović, Milojko Spajić and Andrija Mandić.
In the hall of the Hilton Hotel in Podgorica, in addition to representatives of the diplomatic corps, there are also the President of the Supreme Court of Montenegro Valentina Pavlić, Deputy Prime Ministers Aleksa Bečić and Novica Vuković, Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, and President of the Bar Association Danilo Mićović.
The opening will also feature speeches by the European Union Ambassador to Montenegro Johan Sattler and the President of the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors Antonio Vercher Noguera.
Marković, welcoming his colleagues and guests, said that the prosecutor's office is the foundation of the rule of law, protection of legality and equality of all citizens before the law.
"This is an opportunity to jointly affirm the values that must be the foundation of our judicial system - independence, professionalism and responsibility, in the service of justice. This ceremony is also an opportunity to take stock of how much we have done in the previous period, but also to clearly chart the path we are taking," said the Supreme Prosecutor's Office.
He recalled that almost two years have passed since he was elected Supreme State Prosecutor.
"During that period, I had the honor and responsibility to lead a process in which professionalism and independence became everyday practice, not just an ideal to which we aspire," he said.
Marković said that the reforms they are implementing are not formal, but essential - from the professionalization of work and the digitalization of procedures, to strengthening internal control and accountability.
"The goal is clear - a prosecution that is efficient, transparent and enjoys the trust of citizens," he said.
Marković recalled that at a time when the values of independence and accountability of institutions are being put to the test, we are marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
"This document, which shaped modern Europe, is a reminder that justice is not only the application of the law, but also respect for human dignity, freedom and fairness. We base our work on these principles - because the modern prosecutor's office defends not only the law, but also the values on which every democratic society is based. We confirm these values every day - through the work of basic and higher prosecutor's offices throughout Montenegro. They are the first line of justice - numerically with the largest number of cases, but also the closest to citizens, and therefore we owe them special recognition for their responsible and dedicated work," he said.
He particularly highlighted the work of the Special State Prosecutor's Office, headed by Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novović.
"The work of the Special State Prosecutor's Office, which represents a key pillar in the fight against corruption and organized crime, is based on the foundations of strong action. This prosecutor's office is addressing these challenges decisively and with dedication, continuously achieving results that are visible and recognized - both in the country and abroad," he said.
The Supreme State Prosecutor emphasized that their strong support is also "international cooperation, colleagues and partners, many of whom are in this room today."
"Without working together with you, it would not be possible to achieve real, measurable results within the national framework, but also to give the fight against crime a broader context so that this fight would be more effective. Harmonization with European Union standards and strengthening regional partnerships remain among our most important priorities. All the reforms we are implementing have a clear goal - for the State Prosecutor's Office of Montenegro to be a modern, professional and independent institution in the service of citizens and justice," he said.
He explained that the harmonization of the practice of state prosecutors' offices through binding instructions for action in cases of domestic violence, attacks on journalists, torture, hate speech and hate crimes, as well as in other areas, is of particular importance in this process.
"Such an approach is not a limitation, but rather a support for prosecutors - a tool that contributes to greater consistency, legality and legal certainty. The results show that efficiency is improved, deadlines are shorter, and the quality of decisions is better," said Marković.
"The Montenegrin State Prosecutor's Office is not only an institution that applies the law, but also creates it. This contribution is particularly visible in the establishment of the practice of courts in Montenegro, in the challenges of legal dilemmas in the fight against new forms of crime, recognizing international standards, including the practice of the ECHR. It does this continuously through indictments and other procedural acts, but ultimately also through requests for the protection of legality," added Marković.
He said that the fight against crime involves the synergy of all institutions and its success does not depend solely on the prosecutor's office.
"It is a sequence of actions of all institutions in the chain, the police administration and other state bodies, the prosecutor's office and the court. In this sense, it is necessary to improve the standards of conduct in each of them, but also to share responsibility for achieving results. However, the trust and support of citizens is crucial, because a legal, efficient and fair fight against all forms of crime, as well as the protection of security, is only possible through the institutions of the system," he said.
Addressing his colleagues, he said that they have clear and demanding responsibilities ahead of them.
"We must continue the fight against all forms of crime - without exceptions and without compromise. We must preserve the autonomy and independence of the prosecution service, so that every decision we make is guided exclusively by the law, and not by political or any other influence. Therefore, independence is not a privilege of state prosecutors, but the right of citizens to be equal before the law," the VDP said.
He also emphasized that they must strengthen transparency and communication with the public, because citizens have the right to be informed about their work and to understand its importance.
"And we must continue to invest in professional capacities and institutional development, because only a strong and stable prosecution service can guarantee public trust. Let this State Prosecutors' Day be a reminder that our strength lies in knowledge, independence and responsibility, and that justice must always remain our imperative and our guide," said Marković.
Sattler: The EU will always stand behind an independent and results-oriented prosecution service
The European Union Ambassador to Montenegro, Johan Sattler, stressed the importance of the independence and autonomy of the prosecution as essential foundations of the rule of law.
"The European Union will always stand behind an independent and results-oriented prosecution - free to step up its efforts in the fight against organised crime and corruption, and to strengthen its own accountability," Sattler stressed.
Antonio Vercer Noguera, President of the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors, recalled that the Montenegrin Prosecutor's Office acts in accordance with the opinion of the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE) of the Council of Europe, according to which the independence of prosecutors is not a privilege, but a guarantee of fair, impartial and efficient justice.
"The biggest challenge in Europe today is preserving the independence of the judiciary, which is crucial for the role of prosecutors in the system. Prosecutors must be free from all unlawful influence, whether internal or external – from any institution, Parliament, police or other authorities," Noguera stressed.
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