During his visit to Italy the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr. Ranko Krivokapić, met with the President of Italian Chamber of Deputy, Mr. Gianfranco Fini, Chief anti-mafia prosecutor in Italy, Mr. Pietro Grasso and Italian Lady Minister of the Interior, Ms. Anna Maria Cancellieri.

President Fini congratulated the President Krivokapić on reelection to the position of the President of the Parliament of Montenegro and victory in parliamentary elections, expressing conviction that it would additionally strengthen policy of stability and integration of our country.

President Fini stressed that the role of Montenegro was of a great importance for stabilization of situation in the region of Western Balkans, and whole Euro-Mediterranean area as well.

“Italy supports Montenegro in implementation of its key political priorities, for numerous cultural and historical relations between the two countries”, said the President Fini.

President Krivokapić thanked for the continuity of political support of Italy, primarily regarding European integration of our country, and in that regard, he especially stressed the role of the President Fini as the President of Chamber of Deputy and, even before, as Italian Minister of the Interior.

“Thanks to Italian support, Montenegro is the only country in the region that is in the negotiations phase with the EU, which makes it regional leader of European integration”, Krivokapić said.

Presidents Fini and Krivokapić agreed that Montenegro could be the first next 29th EU and NATO member, if it continued the current politics.

Interlocutors exchanged opinions on contemporary issues of the EU functioning and key challenges in overcoming economic and financial crisis facing the EU. 

During conversation with Mr. Pietro Grasso, Chief anti-mafia prosecutor in Italy, and Italian Lady Minister of the Interior, Ms. Anna Maria Cancellieri, special attention was paid to the issue of rule of law as key challenge of our country on its path towards the EU and the process of overall democratic maturing of Montenegro.

President Krivokapić informed interlocutors on results Montenegro achieved in these fields.

The credibility of Montenegro in facing the issues of the rule of law was confirmed by the very decision of the European Council on starting negotiations, in accordance with new approach of the European Commission, which paid special attention to this field, through chapters 23 and 24, said the President Krivokapić.

President Krivokapić emphasized that the current results must be stimulus for the continuation of reforms in order to enable even more dedicated approach of all structures in Montenegro in facing with the challenge of establishing the full rule of law.

Chief anti-mafia prosecutor in Italy, Mr. Pietro Grasso introduced President Krivokapić with the challenges facing the institution he is in charge of, manner of its work and institutional position of Chief anti-mafia prosecutor in prosecutorial system of Italy.

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President Krivokapić participated in the 7th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law, at the invitation of the President of Italian Chamber of Deputy, Mr. Gianfranco Fini,

Both houses of Italian parliament – Chamber of Deputy and Senate were organizers of the Meeting, as well as organization the “Parliamentarians for Global Action”, and one of the patrons of the Meeting was the European Parliament. 

Consultative Assembly was held in Europe for the first time on International Human Rights Day, and it was dedicated to 10th anniversary of entering into force of Roma Statute of International Criminal Court.

At Meeting Margins, the President Krivokapić met with the President of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Sang-Hyun Song, and he also had several bilateral meetings with participants of Consultative Assembly, consisted of high parliamentary officials from a number of world countries.

During his conversation with the President of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Sang-Hyun Song, the President Krivokapić stated commitment of Montenegro to principles and work of this court, emphasizing its significant role in research and prosecuting the most serious crime acts which jeopardize fundamental civilization values.

Interlocutors agreed that the essence of operation of the Permanent International Criminal Court was to send a clear message that national borders and symbols must not be an obstacle in prosecuting such serious crime acts.