Corruption prevails in many areas, including state structures

Montenegro remains moderately prepared for the application of the acquis of the EU and European standards in the area of justice and fundamental rights, but as a whole it has made limited progress, according to the EC Report, which RTCG had access to. The document states that no progress has been made in reforming the judiciary, the most challenging area of the rule of law.
It is emphasized that the justice system continued to face a deep institutional crisis, resulting in weak leadership and management, lack of strategic vision and poor planning, which affects the country's ability to deliver justice.
On the other hand, Montenegro continues to fulfill its obligations regarding fundamental rights according to international instruments and legislation on human rights. The Law on the Judicial Council and Judges and the Law on the State Prosecutor's Office remain to be amended in accordance with the acquis of the EU and European standards.
The report, which will be officially presented tomorrow, states that full and effective protection of journalists and other media workers continues to improve, but tangible results in old cases of attacks have yet to be achieved.
In the fight against corruption, Montenegro has achieved limited progress, the report assesses.
"Corruption, including high-level corruption, remains an issue of concern and prevails in many areas, including state structures. Montenegro has not sufficiently improved its legislative and strategic framework for the prevention and fight against corruption in accordance with the EU acquis, European and international standards. Several prominent cases of corruption are under investigation. Montenegro has yet to show a strict and unequivocal response from the judiciary," the report states.
Limited progress has been made in preventing corruption.
"The results of the Anti-Corruption Agency have improved quantitatively. However, its independence, responsibility, impartiality and proactivity should be further ensured.
Regarding the fight against organized crime and high-level corruption, the Special Prosecutor's Office has acted cautiously in launching several high-profile investigations, which seem to indicate deep infiltration of corruption and organized crime into state structures, including the highest levels of the judiciary and law enforcement authorities. , the document states,
"The judicial system of Montenegro should show a strong, strict, coherent and unambiguous response. "Montenegro must further improve the results of investigations, criminal prosecutions, final judgments and confiscation of assets in the fight against organized crime and high-level corruption," the report points out.
Parliament adopted laws that contradict the recommendations of the Supreme Court
In the part related to the political situation in the country, it is stated that the reporting period was dominated by a technical government that lacked the necessary political legitimacy and a parliament that could not gather a clear and consistent majority to implement reforms.
"The overall responsibility of the political system is undermined by the shortcomings of the Montenegrin Constitution, which lacks clarity and has shortcomings, as well as by the lack of a legislative framework that regulates the competences of the transitional or dissolved Assembly. This contributed to a general feeling of political and institutional unpredictability," the document states.
It is estimated that there was no effective political dialogue and constructive engagement of political parties to strengthen parliamentary responsibility and government oversight.
"There were no activities on EU accession issues, especially after the resignation of the Minister of EU Affairs. "Also, on various occasions, the parliament adopted laws that contradicted the recommendations of the European Commission and/or the Venice Commission," the document states.
Parliament, as assessed, continued to strengthen its transparency by establishing some citizen-oriented services.
The report states that the adoption of the Law on the Assembly, which would regulate the relations between the Assembly and the executive power, is pending.
Carefully manage the population census
Montenegro is moderately prepared in the field of statistics. Limited progress has been made on last year's recommendations. Work continued on harmonizing statistical methodology with EU standards and increased data transmission to Eurostat. However, there are still unresolved issues regarding the insufficient financial and human resources of the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT) and the lack of expertise in some areas, according to the EC.
"The planned national population and housing census requires careful management by the authorities, especially when it comes to sensitive issues of ethnicity, religion and language.
Montenegro made limited progress in the economy
"As far as economic criteria are concerned, Montenegro has made limited progress and is moderately prepared for the development of a functional market economy," the EC report states.
As noted, economic expansion continued at a strong pace in 2022, supported privately consumption and the strong growth of tourism.
It is emphasized that "the expansionary fiscal policy stimulated domestic demand and contributed to a very high growth of net wages.
The budget deficit, it added, has increased significantly and no comprehensive medium-term consolidation plan has been developed to address growing fiscal challenges.
"The situation on the labor market has improved, but structural problems remain, including large regional and gender disparities, informality and high rates of youth and long-term unemployment," the document states.
The banking sector remained well capitalized and liquid.
"The number of new companies has increased, but efforts to improve the business environment and management of state-owned enterprises have slowed down due to political uncertainty," the section on the economy points out.
Good progress in foreign, security and defense policy
Regarding the foreign, security and defense policy of the EU, Montenegro has a good level of preparedness, the document emphasizes.
"Good progress was achieved as the country continued to fully align with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including EU restrictive measures following Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and provided assistance to Ukraine," the EC assessed.
As a member of the Human Rights Council, Montenegro is actively engaged in promoting and defending international law, the UN Charter and the rules-based international order, it added.
"In accordance with the Declaration of the EU Summit - Western Balkans from December 2022, Montenegro should make further efforts to close the space for foreign interference and manipulation of information, including disinformation. "Montenegro continued to participate in EU crisis management missions and operations within the framework of the common security and defense policy (CSDP)," the document states.
In addition to Chapter 31, Montenegro made good progress in Chapter 7 - Intellectual Property Law, as well as in Chapter 25 - Science and Research.
RTCG