The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2025 published by Transparency International confirms the importance of strong, independent and professional institutions in the fight against corruption, especially in times of heightened global challenges to democracy, the rule of law and public integrity, the Anti-Corruption Agency (AKS) announced.
The report shows that the global CPI average has fallen for the first time in more than a decade, which clearly indicates that corruption is increasingly emerging as a systemic problem, including in developed democracies. Such trends, ASK points out, further emphasize the importance of consistent application of the law, institutional resilience and transparent operation of oversight bodies.
"According to the CPI 2025, Montenegro achieved 46 points, which places it above the global average, which this year is 42 points, but still below the average of Western Europe and the European Union, which is 64 points. This positioning clearly indicates that Montenegro shares some of the structural challenges characteristic of countries in the process of democratic and institutional consolidation, but at the same time achieves a result that is above the average of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region (34 points), as well as above the results of the Western Balkan countries (40 points). Within the member countries of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) (41 points), Montenegro is above average, in the group of countries with a medium CPI result, which confirms that the region as a whole shares similar challenges in the area of strengthening the rule of law, political integrity and public trust in institutions," ASK states.
ASK emphasized that the Corruption Perceptions Index measures the overall perception of the public sector, based on relevant international sources, and that changes in this index depend on long-term, measurable and visible results of the work of institutions, and not on individual decisions or short-term measures.
"The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption remains firmly committed to the non-selective application of the Law, strengthening the integrity of public officials, transparency of political and electoral financing, as well as the protection of whistleblowers. It is particularly emphasized that the TI report confirms the strong link between reducing corruption and strengthening the rule of law, independent judiciary, free media and open civic space," the Agency states.
In this sense, the agency, as it is added, sees the CPI 2025 as an additional incentive for continuing institutional reforms, improving preventive mechanisms, and strengthening cooperation with other state bodies, civil society, and international partners.
"The fight against corruption is not a matter of image, but of long-term protection of public interest and citizens' trust in institutions. In the coming period, the Agency will continue to act professionally, responsibly and transparently, in accordance with the law and the best international standards, aware that measurable results and institutional consistency are the only sustainable path towards permanently improving the integrity of public authorities," the ASK statement concludes.
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