Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro cannot close chapters 23 and 24 in the EU negotiations without measurable results in the fight against corruption, said EU Ambassador to Podgorica Johann Sattler.

He said this while opening the National Anti-Corruption Conference organized in Podgorica by the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS), on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Sattler said that corruption is a choice, not a destiny, and that no country is immune to this phenomenon, including EU countries.

He added that some progress has been seen in Montenegro and reminded that the most recent progress report was positive.

According to Sattler, chapters 23 and 24 are chapters will be carefully considered by all EU member states when the negotiations conclude, adding that they want to see progress not only in investigations, but also in final court rulings in corruption cases.

Minister of Justice Bojan Bozovic said that Montenegro is one step away from joining the EU, but also that this step is the most important and the most difficult.

“We must not take a step or two back and waste time again, because this may be a historic opportunity and one of the last ones that will be realized. That is why every institution, public official and individual must be aware of the responsibility and importance of this path”, said Bozovic.

Speaking about chapters 23 and 24, he stated that the Ministry of Justice has submitted a proposal for amendments to the Law on Prevention of Corruption, adding that they are now in communication with the European Commission (EC) in order to further improve it.

Bozovic added that Montenegro cannot afford to draft laws that will not be of sufficient quality and aligned with international partners and the civil sector.

“Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice is preparing a new law on the protection of whistleblowers, which is of great importance”, added Bozovic, noting that they are also preparing amendments to the Law on Confiscation of Criminal Assets and to the Criminal Code, with the aim of introducing the criminal offense of unlawful enrichment of public officials.

Ambassador of the Netherlands to Serbia and Montenegro, Martijn Elgersma, said that Montenegro had a very good progress report and that the EU had been looking for a country that can demonstrate such great progress for a long time.

According to him, Montenegro has made clear progress, but that there is still a lot of work to be done in a relatively short time, in order to close chapter 23.

German Ambassador to Montenegro Peter Felten said that corruption must be fought effectively, not only by the state and public administration, but also by the business community and society as a whole.

UK Ambassador to Montenegro Dawn McKen warned that corruption undermines public trust and the rule of law, and weakens the social fabric of every country.

She stated that the challenges Montenegro faces in the fight against corruption are visible, and added that Montenegro has made significant progress but that real change requires time, constant efforts and political will.

Ambassador of France Anne-Marie Maskay said that Montenegro is in the key period of EU accession and that this period requires implementation of the rule of law, for the benefit of all citizens.

Italian ambassador to Montenegro, Andreana Marcela, said that she submitted an Italian initiative to Montenegro’s ministries of justice and interior affairs regarding multidimensional assistance in the fields of justice and security, aimed at sharing Italian experience in the fight against organized crime and corruption.

MANS Deputy Executive Director Dejan Milovac said that the EC has indicated in the most recent reports that Montenegro remains formally the enlargement process frontrunner, but that the same documents noted that progress is only on paper, until the citizens can feel the progress.

He believes that Montenegro has not yet “dismantled the system that produces corruption”.