Montenegro must provide an effective legislative framework for the fight against corruption, so that institutions can act independently and decisively in protecting the public interest, said European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath.
The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) said that the acting director of the Agency, Dušan Drakić, hosted McGrath as part of a high-level dialogue dedicated to further improving the rule of law in Montenegro.
McGrath, as stated in the statement, emphasized the importance of the independence of the ASK, emphasizing that the Agency is a key institution in strengthening integrity and trust in public institutions.
"He assessed that Montenegro must provide an effective legislative framework for the fight against corruption, so that institutions can act independently and decisively in protecting the public interest," the statement said.
Drakić said that the key principle of the Agency is non-selectivity and impartiality in its work, with a special focus on resolving high-level corruption cases.
As he stated, McGrath's visit comes at an important moment, when Montenegro is in a crucial phase of European integration.
"The fight against corruption is no longer just a political issue - it represents a test of institutional maturity and social responsibility," Drakić pointed out.
He emphasized that the support of the European Union (EU), through the negotiation process and clear European criteria, is of crucial importance for the overall system of fighting corruption.
"It's not about form, but about substance. The citizens of Montenegro expect justice, transparency and equality before the law," Drakić added.
The meeting, as announced, discussed the significant progress the Agency has made, especially in the areas of controlling the income and assets of public officials, inter-institutional and international cooperation, increasing efficiency in resolving cases, improving internal procedures and digitalizing processes to strengthen legal certainty, as well as the challenges it still faces.
The meeting was also attended by the Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Johan Sattler, and his associates.
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