Podgorica, (MINA) - Selective application of the law, insufficient efficiency of courts and political influence on key institutions remain the biggest problems in the area of ​​the rule of law, said lawyer Milos Vukcevic, adding that essential reforms have not yet produced a sufficient practical effect.

In an interview with the MINA News Agency, Vukcevic said that after the formation of the 44th Government, some progress has been made in the area of ​​the rule of law, but with a limited scope and uneven.

“Progress is reflected primarily in greater openness of institutions for public and international supervision, the initiation of certain procedures that were not possible before, and the attempt to strengthen the normative framework”, said Vukcevic.

However, he believes, the main problem remains that the rule of law has not yet been fully internalized as a principle, but often functions selectively.

Asked about the biggest problems in the area of ​​the rule of law, Vukcevic reiterated that they include selective application of laws, the insufficient efficiency of courts and the still present political influence on key institutions.

Asked whether the independence of the judiciary has increased, he said that certain steps have been taken towards strengthening it, but that the process is not over.

Asked whether there is political influence on the judiciary and the prosecution, Vukcevic said that it may no longer be as direct and visible as before, but that it can still be recognized through recruitment policies, uneven treatment in similar cases and selective efficiency of institutions.

“Therefore, although there has been a certain reduction in open political influence, it cannot be said that it has been fully eliminated”, said Vukcevic.

When asked if Montenegro is closer to the EU standards, he said that it is formally, but that it is only partially closer in practice.

“Montenegro has aligned a significant part of the legislation with the EU acquis, but the problem remains in implementation”, Vukcevic argues.

When asked whether progress has been made in the fight against corruption and organized crime, he answered in the affirmative.

“There has been progress, especially in the part of initiating proceedings against individuals who have not been prosecuted before. However, the key problem remains in the duration of the proceedings, the lack of final verdicts in complex cases and of consistency in the prosecution”, said Vukcevic.

He said that the fight against corruption is not measured by the number of initiated proceedings, but by their outcomes.

“As long as there is selectivity or inefficiency, that progress will be limited”, added Vukcevic.