Brussels, 21/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 21 January, the presidents of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, called on Montenegro to continue its reforms - in particular in the area of the judiciary. At the end of his meeting with Prime Minister Milorad Djukanovic, Van Rompuy highlighted “the need that Montenegro builds on the progress made, especially in the rule of law. Particular attention needs to be paid to develop a solid track record in this area”. Van Rompuy also, made clear the importance of ensuring the accountability and independence of the judiciary, stating that “it is the responsibility of the government and of the opposition for a mature political dialogue to ensure adoption of the constitutional reform”.
Stressing the reforms already made by Podgorica, Barroso said - during another meeting with Djukanovic - that he hoped the government of Montenegro would build on this achievement and further accelerate the reform momentum - “in particular in the key areas of rule of law and fundamental rights and the fight against corruption and organised crime”. He also stressed “the importance of completing the constitutional reform, in particular to ensure the independence of the judiciary”. In Barroso's view, it is not only the pace of the reforms that counts, but also the quality, and the accession process requires national consensus.
Djukanovic confirmed that these reforms are a priority and that he does not see them as being imposed from outside but as important for the domestic development of his country, and for the development of democracy in Montenegro.
Podgorica hopes to open new chapters by end of June. Efforts are being made to prepare the structure of negotiations for a final round in the dynamic accession process, Djukanovic added. He mentioned economic and constitutional reform, and the preparation of negotiations on chapters on the judicial apparatus and on fundamental rights (23) and justice, freedom and security (24).
Djukanovic hoped the action plan on these chapters would soon be approved and that these chapters would be opened before 30 June. “I hope that during the Irish Presidency (of the Council of the EU) we will be able to open chapters successfully”, he said, recalling the Commission's new strategy with the opening of chapters 23 and 24 at the beginning of the negotiations. “These chapters are important to progress on our way towards European integration”, he added (our translation). Chapter 25, on science and research, has already been provisionally closed. Van Rompuy, Barroso and Djukanovic also spoke of Montenegro's role in regional cooperation. (CG/transl.fl)