First meeting of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro in PACE, was held on 9th April, 2013 in Podgorica, and it was attended by Mr. Zoran Vukčević, PhD the Head of the Delegation and members of the Delegation Ms.  Draginja Vuksanović, professor PhD, Mr. Predrag Sekulić, PhD and Mr. Damir Šehović, MA.

Following issues were discussed at the meeting: the Work Plan the Delegation for 2013; the Proposal for the Rules of Procedure of the Delegation; adoption of the Performance report of the Delegation from the PACE January session;  introducing the PACE Report on the work of national delegations; consideration of criteria for election of judges of the European Court on Human Rights; introducing with the possible changes of the PACE Monitoring System; observation of early parliamentary elections in Montenegro with – Information from the meeting of representatives of MP Groups of the Parliament of Montenegro with the Head of the Mission OSCE/ODIHR, 6th February, 2013; activities between two sessions -  Report on condition of gender equality – Paris, 8th March, 2013 and Report on campaign “1out of 5” – Berlin – 14th March, 2013; preparations for April Session and current issues.  

At the beginning of the meeting members of the Delegation expressed pleasure over establishing practice to regularly hold meetings of the Delegation, with the hope that completion of the Delegation with the members from the opposition will come soon, after which consideration of items of the agenda followed..

Work Plan of the Delegation was unanimously adopted with the clear message that the Delegation must have proactive role in the following four-year mandate and that the Work Plan should be implemented, especially having in mind international cooperation and international promotion of Montenegro and its interests. Members of the Delegation believe that PACE activities must be implemented within the work of our Parliament, especially its working bodies. The Head of the Delegation said that the Plan of activities of the Delegation for 2013 may be supplemented in accordance with the current PACE activities and responsible state authorities of Montenegro.

Draft Rules of Procedure of the Delegation was adopted as well, which in the opinion of the members of the Delegation, represents a good practice, regarding the fact that no country from the region, does not have legal act that regulate rights and duties of the members of Delegation. The aim of adopting one such act is placing activities of the Delegation on international plan in legal framework, for honoring procedures, Conventions and other Pace documents, as well as honoring principles of the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. It was agreed to reconsider Draft Rules of Procedures after completion of the Delegation with the opposition representatives.

Members of the Delegation were introduced with the PACE Performance Report on national delegations and the Information from the meeting of representatives of MP Groups of the Parliament of Montenegro with the Head of the Mission OSCE/ODIHR, 6th February, 2013.

With the regard to the Performance Reports of national delegations, members of the Delegation took stance that in following four-year mandate should be worked on raising of rating the Delegation and promotion of Montenegro’s interests in PACE. Members of the Delegation were unanimous that participation in the work of plenary session is not enough, but the participation in the work of the Committee, on which the Head of the Delegation informed the President and Vice-President of the Parliament and members of the Collegium, in the aim of activating members of the Delegation.

Members of the Delegation got acquainted with the information on possible changes of the PACE Monitoring System, with conclusion that in the following period it is necessary to cooperate closely with co-raporteurs for Montenegro Mr. Sassi and Ms. Memejan, and in the aim of cancellation of screening of Montenegro. In that regard, in accordance with the adopted Work Plan of the Delegation for 2013, two visits of PACE co-raporteurs are planned, in June and October, 2013. 

Special attention of MPs was drawn to the Report on Gender Equality and Report on Campaign ”One in Five”. In that regard members of the Delegation agreed that on the basis of obtained data from responsible Ministries on gender equality in Montenegro take common stance which will be forwarded to the PACE Secretary, Mr. Vojčeh Sawicki.

Speaking about the Campaign ”One in Five”, they emphasized its importance and took clear stance that the Delegation in full capacity shall involve in affirmation of the mentioned Campaign, conducted by PACE until 2014, and that the Campaign, successfully realized in Montenegro in 2012, should be implemented in 2013 also and raise its importance to the national level, with participation of all relevant state bodies and institutions, in raising awareness and protection of the most vulnerable category of population – children from sexual abuse, which is the aim of the Campaign.

Members of the Delegation got acquainted with the Draft agenda for the April Session of PACE 22nd -26th April, 2013.