Statement: Realised priorities of European Agenda ahead of delivery of EC Opinion in autumn

Published date: 03.08.2010 15:07 | Author: MEI

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With delivery of EC Opinion on application of Montenegro for membership in the European Union in perspective, the activities on fulfilment of assumed commitments in European integration process have been intensified especially in the area of accession political criteria.

In mid – June, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Framework Plan for meeting commitments arising from Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Activities have been prioritised and mostly were integrated in Agenda of the first meeting of Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security held in early July in Podgorica. All planed activities have been realised thanks to intensified work of all institutions involved, not only in the Government but also in the Parliament of Montenegro and judiciary. Delegation of European Union is regularly informed thereof.    

Translated texts of all adopted regulations have been delivered, especially those relating to political criteria of accession: Law on Protection against Discrimination, proposal for the Law on Ombudsman, Law on Electronic Media, amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications, Law on Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code as well as the set of financial regulations. Also the translated texts of Law on Stamps and draft Law on Copyrights and Related Rights were delivered. Information and reports on status of displaced and internally displaced persons were delivered as well as on fulfilment of all commitments in visa liberalisation process, on reduction of backlogs in courts, on corruption and organised crime offences, report on implementation of judiciary reform, report on preparation of anti-terrorism strategy, report on state aid as well as all information requested under individual chapters.  

One of the Government’s priorities was the adoption of 2010-2014 Strategy for Combating Corruption and Organised Crime with 2010-2012 Action Plan. Initial activities on preparation of the documents begun in mid-October last year and the working group completed the first Strategy document at the end of May. The Government adopted draft Strategy on 24 June. In coordination of the Ministry of Interior and Public Administration, Ministry for European Integration and Administration for Anti-Corruption Initiative public debate was organised, comments of the European Commission, civil sector as well as institutions’ contributions for the Action Plan were considered. Final documents- the Strategy and the Action Plan were adopted on 29 June 2010 as a result of joint efforts of all institutions involved.   

Translation of the Strategy and the Action Plan is in its final phase. Translated texts will be officially delivered to the Delegation of European Union to Montenegro.

At the request of the European Commission, the Ministry for European Integration shall deliver until 6 September 2010 factographic report on all activities realised since the submission of additional answers to the EC Questionnaire to September 2010. The review will be prepared by negotiation chapters. Translation of all regulations will be enclosed to the review. A good report will be prepared in August and it will be duly submitted to EC for preparation of the Opinion expected in November 2010.