Secretary General of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr. Damir Davidović met today Mr. Atanasios Papaioanu, the Secretary General of the Hellenic Parliament with associates. Mr. Davidović acquainted interlocutors with the manner of work, composition, internal organization of the Parliament of Montenegro, responsibilities of the Collegium and working bodies, with special emphasis to the new working bodies established by the latest amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament.  He informed the interlocutor on progress in the process of European integration of Montenegro with emphasis to the role of the Parliament of Montenegro in the process of accession negotiations with the EU. In that sense, he pointed out the specific approach of the Parliament of Montenegro in the process of European integration and its important role which corresponds to the Lisbon Treaty, but also with the new approach of the European Commission. He also familiarized the interlocutor with the extended responsibilities of line committees, assessment of the legislation harmonization, as well as with the role of the Committee on European Integration in monitoring negotiations.

During the meeting, Secretaries General compared legislative practice of the two parliaments, with the special emphasis to the shortened procedure for adopting the laws. Furthermore, they exchanged opinions on budget issues related to the parliament, especially regarding priorities in economic crisis conditions.

Novelties recently introduced in the Parliament of Montenegro in the aim of strengthening the administrative capacities, professional training of employees and promotion of the work of the parliament of Montenegro, but also strengthening its oversight role through establishing practice of regular monitoring of application of laws, as well as consideration of realizations of conclusions of the Parliament and its working bodies were especially discussed.

Interlocutors pointed out the importance of professional training of the parliament administration, while Mr. Papaioanu emphasized the importance of specific training in the field of EU legislation especially through direct insight into procedures and practices of the EU institutions. In that regard he assessed as very good the approach that representatives of the Service of the parliament of Montenegro should participate in the process of screening and other activities in the aim of gaining knowledge which would provide them to offer  quality support to MPs in their future work.

Secretary General of the Hellenic Parliament also visited today democratic workshops of the Parliament of Montenegro, where he had the opportunity to talk to the students of elementary school “ Bajo Pivljanin” from Plužine. He announced that he was impressed with this project, especially from the aspect of unique approach and benefits that the youngest generations of the society would gain by this implementation.