Fifth Meeting of the European Union - Montenegro Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee, consisting of the members of the Parliament of Montenegro and the European Parliament, ended in the European Parliament in Brussels today.

In the continuation of the fifth Meeting of the European Union - Montenegro Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee, which started yesterday in Brussels, the following matters were considered: progress achieved in the fight against organised crime, corruption and economic issues.

Within the discussion on the progress achieved in the fight against organised crime and corruption, speakers on behalf of the Parliament of Montenegro were MPs Mr. Koča Pavlović and Mr. Obrad Mišo Stanišić, who pointed out recent activities within supervisory role of the Parliament of Montenegro and creation of legal and administrative framework necessary for fighting against organised crime and corruption. The importance of recent amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Montenegro was stressed, in part regarding creation of the permanent Anti-Corruption Committee, whose representative would be an MP of the opposition, and who would supervise and analyse work of the state bodies, institutions and organisations dealing with the issues of the fight against corruption. In addition to other members of SAPC, Mr. Duško Marković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights also participated in the debate, pointing out the importance of political will of the state to intensify the fight against corruption and organised crime through strengthening institutions of the system. 

MPs of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr. Predrag Bošković and Mr. Darko Pajović, as well as an MP of the European Parliament Mr. Antonio Cancian, spoke during reviewing of economic movements. During the discussion, the nature of Montenegrin economy was pointed out, which was particularly subject to influences of external systems due to its size, but it was also more flexible in adapting to effects of market change. Reduction of export deficit and public spending, attracting foreign investments through transparent policy and adoption of clear legal regulations and tax breaks were emphasised as a priority for state policy in this field. Energetics was highlighted by the speakers as a developmental opportunity for Montenegro, which, through investment into renewable sources and green energy, may provide the country with a more beneficial economic environment and creation of new jobs. MPs of both the European Parliament and the Parliament of Montenegro participated in the continuation of the discussion.

It was decided that the next SAPC meeting should be held on 29th and 30th April 2013 in Montenegro.

At the end of the meeting, Declaration and Recommendations were adopted, highlighting the progress achieved by Montenegro in multiple fields and, simultaneously, encouraging Montenegrin government to continue with further fulfilment of standards for full-fledged EU membership.

SAPC meeting was preceded by the meeting of Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament, also attended by the MPs of the Parliament of Montenegro, which was dedicated to issues of human rights in the Western Balkans countries. The necessity of observation of human rights and freedoms and promotion of anti-discrimination policy was especially emphasised at the meeting, having in mind euro-aspirations of the states in this region, and the new EU approach envisioning that the Chapters 23 and 24 should remain open throughout the membership negotiation process.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and EU Integration Mr. Nebojša Kaluđerović addressed the participants, pointing out that Montenegro confirmed the largest number of conventions in the field of human rights and freedoms, and thus completed legal framework in this field. Observation of human rights and freedoms was assessed as a permanent and challenging task, and Montenegro was fully dedicated to fulfilling necessary conditions for EU membership, concluded Minister Kaluđerović.

Presenting the activities of his organisation regarding the election monitoring activities, a representative of ODIHR also addressed the attendees, assessing that the recently held Parliamentary elections in Montenegro were carried out in accordance with international standards. In that regard, he informed the participants that Montenegro, fulfilling one of the EC recommendations, adopted the Electoral Law in 2011, which, according to ODIHR, represented an original and balanced model, containing all necessary international standards in this field.