Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro continues to have a high implementation rate when it comes to the measures from the action plans for chapters 23 and 24 and it remains focused on further and continued progress in the rule of law, it was heard at a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Justice, Freedom and Security, taking place in Podgorica.
Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljevic introduced the European Commission officials to the most important results that Montenegro has achieved this year when it comes to meeting the commitments under chapters 23 and 24.
According to a government press release, Drljevic stressed that 81 per cent of the measures for chapter 23 have either been completed or are being continually implemented, as well as 74 per cent of the measures for chapter 24.
“On the other hand, we are aware that every future phase of the EU accession talks involves increasingly more complex criteria and higher requirements when it comes to the balance of results,” Drljevic said.
The Chief Negotiator is said to have underlined the results made by the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Special Prosecution Office, especially in terms of the fight against high-level corruption and drug seizures, as well as the recent efforts against cigarette smuggling, financial investigations and the confiscation of criminal assets.
“He noted that Montenegro is aware of the importance of the freedom of expression as a core value of the EU and remains committed to promoting the freedom of expression standards, adding that the adoption of the Media Bill and the Bill on Amendments to the Law on National Public Broadcaster RTCG have been planned by the end of this year,” the press release stated.
Head of the Montenegro Unit at the European Commission’s DG NEAR Thomas Hagleitner recalled that the EU’s Western Balkans Strategy, the Sofia Summit and the Sofia Declaration have sent a strong signal of support to Montenegro.
He reportedly said that the implementation of the action plans for chapters 23 and 24 has led to a significant progress in legislative reforms and institutional development and that the laws now need to be implemented in practice and applied through the work of institutions.
“He believes that more work remains to be done in order for the practical effect of the reforms to be more visible, especially in the field of the media, fight against organized crime and corruption and money laundering,” the press release stated.
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