11 November 2018 - Negotiator for Chapters 23 and 24, Marijana Laković, said she has expected the European Commission would recognize the stable progress the Montenegrin institutions have achieved on the road to the European Union. Laković emphasized the rule of law has been an area requiring continuous results, there are some challenges but Montenegrin institutions have been decisive in an attempt to use all the available resources to achieve the best results possible.

“The European Commission regularly submits the interim reports on their perception when it comes to the progress in the area of the rule of law, i.e. chapters 23 and 24. We expect that the European Commission would recognize stable progress in numerous significant aspects of the rule of law, evaluating concrete results achieved by our institutions,” emphasized Laković.

When asked whether Montenegro reached the results the European Commission requested, she said Montenegro has been completely committed to the new approach in negotiations, much more demanding compared with the previous enlargements.

“The fact clearly denoting our progress in the area of rule of law is that so far Montenegro has started talks in 31 chapters, negotiations in 3 negotiation chapters have been temporarily closed, while we expect to open the 2 remaining chapters soon. Also, we expect the European Commission to recognize the latest activities of the National Police and state prosecutor’s office in fighting organized crime, high-level corruption, money laundering, temporarily seized assets and confiscated drugs,” concluded Laković.

Laković also added that by implementing thorough reform activities in the judiciary and setting up of a modern legislative framework, Montenegro has proved its full democratic capacity to enforce the most contemporary European standards in this area.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro/Pobjeda

07 November 2018 - Montenegro's accession to the European Union and the implementation of comprehensive reforms on this path are in the interest of the Montenegrin citizens and the economy, Chief Negotiator for Montenegrin Accession to the European Union Aleksandar Drljević and Ambassador of Sweden to Montenegro Jan Lundin concluded at the meeting held on November 7.

The two officials stated that in the current accession process, Montenegro has already reached the standards of European Union member states in some areas and that there are reasons for satisfaction with the achieved results.

The Chief Negotiator Drljević pointed out that the Government is committed to implementing comprehensive reforms, not because of membership in the European Union, but primarily because of improving the living standards of its citizens. In addition, he added that membership in NATO and the European Union contributes to security and stability and strengthens the voice of Montenegro in the world.

Bearing in mind the new approach to the negotiations, Chief Negotiator Drljević stated that the Government is fully committed to meeting the obligations under Chapters 23 and 24 that form the core of the negotiation process. He added that he is hopeful that the remaining two negotiating chapters will soon be opened, adding that there are several chapters in which all obligations are fulfilled and are ready for temporary closure.

Ambassador Lundin congratulated him on the achieved results by pointing out that Montenegro is the most advanced Western Balkan country in the European Union accession process, and that it enjoys the full support of Sweden for membership of the Union.

He said that the process of negotiations is now much more demanding than it was in the previous enlargements of the Union and that great efforts and demanding reforms are needed, especially in the areas of the rule of law and environmental protection.

07 November 2018 - Successful implementation of joint activities of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is a good basis for continuing cooperation in the direction of further strengthening regional and international cooperation in the field of border security, it was concluded at today's meeting of Montenegrin Minister Mevludin Nuhodžić with Director of DCAF Ljubljana and DCAF Border Security Programme for Southeast Europe Anton Travner.

Minister Nuhodžić expressed his gratitude for the continued assistance provided by DCAF to Montenegro, especially in the area of cross-border police cooperation, exchanging experiences and the implementation of training, and highlighted his satisfaction with previous joint actions under the DCAF Border Security Programme.

The meeting was an opportunity to share impressions on the recently implemented joint police operation "Tuzi 2018", which was conducted with the support of representatives of European agencies Europol, Frontex and IOM, which confirmed that Montenegro is working proactively in the prevention of illegal migration and cross-border crime. Both sides agreed that the operation was extremely successful, both in terms of detecting migratory routes and exchanging information between the police and the implementation of the readmission procedure with the Republic of Albania.

While expressing full support for Montenegro in the area of border security, Director DCAF Ljubljana Anton Travner praised Montenegro's progress so far and expressed the expectation that good dynamics will continue, with a special focus on further improving technical capacities at the border, strengthening human resources and strengthening the mutual cooperation of police officers in the field of combating cross-border crime and illegal migration.

The meeting also discussed activities planned for the next period within the DCAF Border Security Programme, and the readiness of Montenegro to continue its participation in operations and projects in order to achieve modern standards in this area.

Read more information about Montenegro’s border security here, while the EU assistance to Montenegro’s border security is presented here. 

06 November 2018 - The President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, recently presented the bases of the Individual investment program at the 12th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference that is taking place in Dubai, hosted by Henley and Partners. Đukanović presented the ideas of Montenegro, in the context of introducing the program of economic citizenship based on attracting foreign direct investments.

“Our goal is to further enhance and generate interest of new investors who can be a candidate for Montenegrin citizenship by investing in Montenegro. The vital interest of Montenegro is to implement this Program in such a way that using the experiences of other countries eliminates all the risks that its implementation might pose. The program will allow applications to those persons who have proved credibility in the personal and professional sense,  and it will allow inflow of funds that have a legal origin,” said Đukanović.

He added that every program can be long-term and stable provided that both sides can see the benefits of mutual cooperation. The interest of the state is to enhance development, create new jobs, reduce the foreign trade deficit.

“The implementation of this Program will enable a more efficient and more transparent procedure of granting citizenship to investors. This will create tighter bonds between quality investors and Montenegro, since, as 'goodwill ambassadors', they will promote its economic potentials and interests,” said President Đukanović.

Individual investment program, as he points out, must enable high-quality use and better valorization of natural resources for the state and local communities.

“Developed economic and political values, together with our constant efforts to strengthen them further, are our legitimacy to have an open invitation for investors to start their business in Montenegro. Briefly, the invitation is open for everybody who is ready to create our future with us,” noted President of Montenegro.

He also spoke about the current geographical position of Montenegro and pointed out the efforts it put in the improvement of its business environment and strengthening the economy. Planned infrastructure projects and economic and financial indicators confirm that country's progress and growth is not accidental. In the future, stable and dynamic growth is expected.

During the conference, Đukanović spoke to the operation director of Henley & Partners Co. and they exchanged their opinions about the improvement of Montenegro and about the advantages of this programme.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

06 November 2018 - The prime ministers of Montenegro and Finland, Duško Marković and Juha Sipilä, agreed at the working meeting, which took place in Helsinki, that Montenegro has made strong progress in the European integration process and that the process will be continued with the full support of Finland, which will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2019.

05 November 2018 - The traditionally good and friendly relations fostered by Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina are a significant contribution to the overall regional cooperation and the process of European integration of the Western Balkan countries, secretaries-general of the governments of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina stressed at the meeting that took place in Podgorica.

Secretary-General of the Government of Montenegro Nataša Pešić hosted Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Robert Vidović. The meeting was an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of strategic documents adoption and coordination of the work of all services at the Government level.

Secretary-General Pešić pledged the Montenegrin Government's commitment to continuing to promote good neighbourly relations with a view to strengthening stability and encouraging the progress of this part of Europe.

"As the youngest member of NATO and the country that is closest to EU membership, Montenegro is determined to provide full support to its neighbours in implementing comprehensive reforms and to share knowledge and experience gained from the restoration of independence. I am convinced that by strengthening cooperation we can contribute to better and faster reforms in our countries and the entire region of the Western Balkans," the Secretary-General said.

Secretary-General Vidovic thanked Ms Pešić for the excellent cooperation and support provided by the Montenegrin Government, especially in the context of the EU accession process. He pointed out that the fundamental reforms and good results of the Montenegrin institutions and negotiating team are very valuable inputs for the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in pursuing their European path.

Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two governments in the areas of drafting and implementing strategic documents, in particular in the context of public administration reform and the EU accession process. They agreed that the adoption of European standards and values that lead to a better quality of life of citizens is a common goal of all countries in the region, and it is important to improve dialogue and cooperation in the region in order to attain these goals.

03 November 2018 - Montenegro is a source of stability, in the region and beyond its borders, said Alison Kemp, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Montenegro.

The UK welcomes sMontenegro’s role and contribution in the Balkans amid political turmoil in the region, which happens in Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Montenegro is a source of stability, in the region and beyond its borders: as the NATO member state and the leader in the process of EU integration, as the participant in NATO-EU-UN missions and as an example of patient and consistent settlement of bilateral disputes. However, this does not mean Montenegro is not facing challenges such as the need for further strengthening of the rule of law and sustainable economic development. The process of EU integration represents an effort to overcome these challenges so that the country’s position shouldn’t be questioned in the next wave of the EU enlargement,” noted Kemp.

As for the UK, she added, Montenegro is perceived as a NATO ally and the two nations have been forging close ties. The UK will be fully involved in the EU activities while being its member state.

“Also, we will continue providing support to Montenegro, especially in the context of your aspirations towards the EU. The EU accession process is intensive and quite challenging, created with the aim to ensure harmonization of Montenegrin standards with the EU practice and ideals. As for the rule of law, this year Montenegro will have concrete obligations denoted on several hundreds of pages with given detailed steps for the strengthening of the Montenegrin legal system,” concluded Kemp.

Kemp also said the two countries are not just allies but partners and friends, and that Montenegro is gradually getting rid of stereotypes while simultaneously being utterly intriguing to the Brits.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

02 November 2018 - Prime Minister Duško Marković recently hosted an inaugural visit of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to Montenegro Artur Dmochowski. 

Welcoming the Ambassador, the Prime Minister congratulated the 100th anniversary of the independence restoration which Poland celebrates this year. 

Both sides noted that the two friendly countries have excellent political relations at all levels and that they see room for strengthening and deepening economic cooperation for mutual benefit. Prime Minister Marković expressed satisfaction with the last year's growth of the number of Polish tourists in Montenegro, while Ambassador Dmochowski pointed to the expected further growth after the Polish national airline LOT introduced the regular line Warsaw – Podgorica. 

The Prime Minister thanked the Ambassador for the support of Poland to Montenegro in the processes of the Euro-Atlantic and European integration. The Ambassador of Poland assessed that Montenegro's accession to NATO contributed to the stabilisation of the region and expressed the full support of its country to Montenegro in continuing the process of the country's accession to the European Union, including expert and technical assistance. 

Poland will, according to the Ambassador, try to use its participation in the Berlin process and the planned summit of the Prime Ministers in July next year in Poznan to contribute to the further economic progress of the countries of the region. 

02 November 2018 - The Commissionaire for European Neighborhood Policy, Johannes Hahn, said it clearly – the forum for political discussion in Montenegro is Montenegrin Parliament. The Commissionaire was asked to comment on the announcement of the Civic Movement URA and the Democrats that they were going to form a non-institutional forum that would deal with electoral legislation.

“The Commissionaire expects that all political parties that support Montenegro's EU journey participate actively in the work of temporary assembly committee that has just been established,” said the representatives of Hahn’s office.

The Montenegrin Parliament adopted the decision on the formation of the Committee for the reform of electoral and other legislation that was formed with the aim of optimizing the overall environment in which the next election cycles will be held.

Just a couple of hours later in his Twitter post, Hahn welcomed the formation of this Committee and said he expected everybody’s engagement.

Ten hours after Hahn’s post, URA and Democrats did completely the opposite of the expectations of Hahn. Leaders of these two parties, Dritan Abazović and Aleksa Bečić announced the participation in the work of their own forum, that would consist of their advocates and would act outside the Parliament.

This way, they clearly neglected the requirements of Brussels, although it was not long ago when they presented their reform plans to the Commissionaire Hahn right at the EU headquarters.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

01 November 2018 - Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin congratulated Montenegrin state prosecutors on their crucial contribution to the observed results in the fight against organised crime and corruption in Montenegro in the past year, stressing that the expectations of the Government and the whole society are the highest level of responsibility, knowledge and professionalism in the work of state prosecutors. 

Addressing the participants of the ceremony in Budva on the occasion of the Day of the Prosecutors of Montenegro, DPM Pažin pointed out that Montenegrin society undoubtedly appreciates the importance, ability and contribution of the prosecutorial organisation to the realisation of justice and security, since Montenegro in its Constitution guaranteed to the prosecutorial organisation not only autonomy in professional decision-making but also absolute independence from the Executive Authority. 

DPM Pažin underlined that because of this systemic position of the prosecutorial organisation, to which the Constitution entrusted the highest degree of independence, the Government and the whole society have great expectations from state prosecutors. 

"The reason for such expectations is simple because justice in Montenegro depends to a large extent from your independent behaviour and decision-making in the investigation, qualification and proving of criminal offenses," DPM Pažin stressed. 

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his conviction that the Montenegrin Prosecutor's Office has sufficient leadership wisdom, persecution and professionalism that will justify these great expectations and hopes that the whole Montenegrin society lays in the prosecutorial organisation. 

"Moreover, many of those present in this room have already proved that many times," DPM Pažin said. 

DPM Pažin recalled that only during this year, the Prosecutor's office launched investigations against more than 100 persons for the criminal offenses of organised Crime and corruption, assessing that this enough speaks about the contribution of prosecutors in providing safe society, as a prerequisite for Montenegro’s progress. 

Deputy Prime Minister Pažin highlighted other significant successes in the fight against crime that were achieved this year through the good cooperation of the Prosecutor's office with other state bodies. 

Within good cooperation with the Police Directorate, property acquired through crime amounting to about 30 million EUR and illegal cigarettes worth over 10 million EUR were seized, while several tons of narcotics were prevented from entering Montenegro. 

DPM Pažin estimated that by such convincing results, the state authorities sent a clear message that crime in Montenegro is not pay off.

DPM Pažin underlined, however, that the competent state authorities should not be satisfied with the achieved, as long as there are citizens, journalists, businessmen whose rights are violated and who rightfully expect from the state to protect their dignity and provide justice, in particular, if justice is awaited for a long time.