At the meeting held today, members of the Committee on European Integration adopted a positive opinion on the Second semi-annual report on the overall activities within the integration process of Montenegro to the European Union, for the period July – December 2014. In addition to that, within the discussion lasting several hours, they considered the degree of implementation of recommendations adopted at the IX meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC). The following participated in the meeting: Mr Igor Lukšić, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration; Mr Raško Konjević, Minister of Interior; Zoran Pažin, Minister of Justice; Ms Stojanka Radović, Deputy Supreme Public Prosecutor, as well as other representatives of competent ministries.

Minister Lukšić presented the Second semi-annual report, and on that occasion he pointed out that the said document differed from the previous one in accordance with the conclusions adopted by the Committee on its 31^st meeting, relating to the need for having less technical information in the document. He said that the Ministry will continue to inform the Committee on a quarterly basis, estimating quarterly reporting as a high quality form of monitoring the progress dynamics. The MPs pointed out that the Report contained useful information, and that due to the significance of this topic, more time needed to be dedicated to consideration of this item of the agenda in the plenary session. Following the discussion, members of the Committee with a majority of votes adopted the Report which they would forward to the Parliament.

The second item of the agenda will be dedicated to considering the degree of implementation of 20 recommendations in total adopted at the IX meeting of the SAPC. During the constructive and comprehensive discussion, the topics covered included the progress in the areas concerning the rule of law, but also the achieved results in the context of enhancing the electoral legislation, combating domestic violence, and the efforts needed in order to include the Roma in the education system. The participants in the discussion pointed out that Montenegro had achieved progress within the normative framework, but they also highlighted the need for evaluation of the adopted laws and promotion of their implementation, as well as ensuring continuous results.