Vlada formed the Commission for Integrity

The Government of Montenegro, in accordance with the recommendations of GRECO and at the proposal of the National Anti-Corruption Council, established the Integrity Commission, with the aim of strengthening the system of prevention of corruption among persons performing the highest functions of the executive branch.

As announced by the Government, the Commission's task will be to provide confidential advice and continuous training to holders of the highest executive functions, regarding issues of conflict of interest, integrity, prevention of corruption and other anti-corruption obligations.

"This not only implements an important GRECO recommendation, but also strengthens the capacities of the executive branch and sends a message of readiness to carry out responsible executive branch activities in accordance with the highest anti-corruption standards," the statement said.

It is stated that the formation of the Commission represents another concrete step in building a system in which accountability is not a political slogan, but an institutional obligation and a continuous task.

"The government hereby confirms that the prevention and fight against corruption begins precisely with those who make the most important decisions in the state," the statement added.

The Government said that this measure is part of the Government's comprehensive policy on preventing corruption and strengthening integrity among the highest holders of executive power, as well as harmonizing with international standards.

As they said, the Commission will also have the task of implementing activities aimed at strengthening integrity, preparing guidelines, as well as identifying risks and weaknesses in the integrity system, and proposing measures to strengthen ethics, transparency and accountability of persons in the highest executive positions.

The Government stated that one of the key goals for making this decision was to raise awareness of the importance of consistent and full compliance with anti-corruption duties.

They explained that the members of the Commission will be representatives of the General Secretariat of the Government, the Secretariat for Legislation and the Ministry of Justice, from among the permanent employees.

"The conditions for the selection of members of the Commission are as follows: they must be persons with a VII1 level of educational qualifications, at least three years of work experience and at least one year in anti-corruption work. The Commission will cooperate with the authorities responsible for preventing corruption," the statement says.

It is stated that at the previous Government session, all persons in the highest positions of the executive branch were instructed by a conclusion to access the "Ethics and Integrity" training program developed by the Anti-Corruption Agency in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the successful implementation of this task is underway.

"The proposed constitutional amendments and changes to the normative framework, as well as the establishment of the Integrity Commission, indicate the Government's continued commitment to preventing corruption and implementing the highest anti-corruption standards in the Montenegrin legal system," the statement added.

As it is emphasized, in this direction, the Government has already established a modern and comprehensive Draft Law on the Government, which contains, among other things, clear norms on integrity control before elections and during the performance of duties, and the adoption of a Code of Ethics.

"The Government has also adopted a Proposal for amending the Constitution, which provides for the abolition of the immunity of the President and members of the Government for criminal offenses against official duty," the statement said.

It is recalled that the amendments to the Law on Civil Servants and Employees prescribe clear conditions for the selection of special advisors to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers, heads of cabinet and deputy heads of cabinet.

As stated, persons who have committed a criminal offense that makes them unworthy of holding public office, persons who have engaged in illegal lobbying and illegal donations of money to political entities, as well as persons who have been imposed measures for violating the Law on the Prevention of Corruption, cannot be elected to these positions.

The Government stated that this was previously completely unregulated and represented a serious legal gap.

"This amendment to the law, in addition to the aforementioned conditions, also prescribes a procedure for verifying the integrity of these persons, which is also a novelty. These measures, along with numerous other activities undertaken, testify to the continuous work on improving the anti-corruption framework, in accordance with international standards," the Government said.

They concluded that Montenegro is for the first time systematically establishing mechanisms that oblige the highest state officials not only to political, but also to full professional and ethical responsibility, and create an incentive for permanent work on strengthening legal and ethical integrity and consistent implementation of anti-corruption obligations.