Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković met with European Union Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath, as part of a high-level dialogue dedicated to further advancing the rule of law and strengthening the independence of the prosecution service in Montenegro.
Supreme State Prosecutor Marković emphasized that the State Prosecutor’s Office of Montenegro remains a strong and stable institution, firmly committed to leading reform processes within the framework of European integration. He stressed that independence, professionalism and accountability are the foundations of an effective fight against crime, and that any form of inappropriate influence on state prosecutors, as well as attempts at institutional discreditation, represent a serious challenge to the rule of law that requires a clear and decisive institutional response.
Commissioner Michael McGrath stressed that the European Union strongly supports the independence and integrity of the State Prosecutor’s Office of Montenegro. He particularly emphasized that any form of inappropriate influence on prosecutors is unacceptable and that there is no place for such pressure in a state governed by the rule of law. The Commissioner expressed his full support for the Prosecution Service to continue its work in accordance with the principles of independence and professionalism, stressing that the concrete and visible results achieved in the fight against organized crime and corruption and in protecting fundamental rights are of essential importance for progress in the accession negotiations. He also encouraged the continuation of reform activities and confirmed the European Union’s readiness to continue providing expert and institutional support to strengthening the capacities of the prosecution service.
Particular attention was devoted to the results achieved by the Prosecutorial Council in the areas of the appointment, evaluation and integrity of state prosecutors. The participants agreed that further personnel and professional consolidation, together with strengthened administrative and technical support, is essential for the effective prosecution of complex cases.
The Commissioner particularly emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation and ensuring the efficient exchange of information with EU Member States, while the Supreme State Prosecutor confirmed that developing capacities for international legal assistance and direct cooperation is one of the strategic priorities of the Prosecution Service.
The meeting with Commissioner McGrath confirms the strong support of European institutions for further strengthening the independence, professionalism and efficiency of the prosecution service in Montenegro, with a clear message that the fight against crime, protection of institutional integrity and consistent application of the law are priorities from which there can be no deviation.
The meeting, held at Villa Gorica, was attended, in addition to Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković, by Jelena Đaletić, Deputy Supreme State Prosecutor, and Ikonija Radojičić, Head of the Office of the Supreme State Prosecutor.
