In his introductory remarks, Vice President Mustafić reminded that the affirmation of the principle of equality before the law, as a fundamental principle of the legal state and the rule of law, was one of the priority tasks of the Parliament of Montenegro. He said that the legal security and legal equality could not be discussed without the existence of the judiciary independence, which represented a “capstone” of the constitutional and democratic state. The Vice President noted that the existence and independent and impartial courts was at the heart of every judicial system guaranteeing protection of human rights in accordance with international standards and added that the Constitution, laws, and even the very state policy must ensure the existence of independent court authority. In the previous period, numerous steps forward had been made in the field of judicial reforms, most notably the following: adoption of amendments to the Constitution, strengthening of the judiciary independence; enhancement of transparency of work of courts; reduction of the number of backlog court cases, and undertaking of further steps towards rationalisation of the network of courts, concluded Vice President Mustafić.

Co-chair, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Political System, Judiciary and Administration of the Parliament of Montenegro Ms Snežana Jonica, said that the issue of independent judiciary was a crucial topic in setting high standards in the field of the rule of law for Montenegro, as a country on its European path, and also one of key requirements for adequate fight against organised crime and high level corruption. Ms Jonica also said that the Judiciary Reform Strategy, especially regarding strengthening of independence, effectiveness and availability of judiciary, determined objectives of further reforms which, as she pointed out, would contribute to further establishment of legal security and strengthening of citizens’ trust in the judicial system.

Co-chair, Ms Mady Delvaux, MEP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs, highlighted that the proper functioning of the judicial system with a truly independent judiciary was an integral and essential part of the European Union, because without it the industry, business, and society could not progress, and foreign investors would not want to invest their money. Ms Delvaux said that she was pleased with the results that Montenegro had achieved in that respect and she agreed with the position that the strengthening of independence, impartiality, responsibility, and transparency were primary objectives in the following cycle of the judicial reforms in Montenegro.

Within the discussion on the rule of law and judiciary independence as fundamental criteria for accession to the EU, the necessity of continuation of the judicial reforms was highlighted, as a foundation of citizens’ trust in the judiciary.

In continuation of the Conference, topics included modernisation of the judicial systems, including eJustice, judicial reforms of Croatia ahead of its accession to the EU, as well as ensuring independence, quality and efficiency of the justice systems in enlargement countries.

Interparliamentary Conference "Towards independent and modern judicial systems in the enlargement countries" will continue tomorrow at 9:00.