Government and opposition agree to initiate amendments to laws on internal affairs and national security, working group to monitor their implementation
The parliamentary majority and the opposition agreed to establish a working group that will monitor the implementation of the Law on Internal Affairs and the Law on the National Security Agency, as well as to intensify efforts to appoint two judges to the Constitutional Court.
Representatives of the government and the opposition met last night under the mediation of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Montenegro, ahead of today's vote on constitutional amendments.
Following the meeting, the EU Delegation stated that the meeting marked a step towards strengthening political dialogue and building mutual trust between the parliamentary majority and the opposition.
- In particular, this relates to reaching agreement on constitutional amendments and other decisions requiring a qualified parliamentary majority, all in the interest of Montenegro's European future - the joint statement said.
According to the statement, through dialogue on the Platform for Overcoming the Parliamentary Crisis at this crucial stage of the European integration process, the participants agreed to initiate amendments to legislation governing internal affairs and national security with the aim of improving certain existing legal provisions.
- The amendments will, among other things, address the procedures for the establishment and composition of the Commission for the Verification of Security Clearance Obstacles under the Law on Internal Affairs, as well as strengthen judicial oversight mechanisms under the Law on the National Security Agency - the statement reads.
To ensure more effective monitoring of the implementation of legislation in the areas of internal affairs and national security, Parliament will establish a special working group composed of representatives from both the government and the opposition. The group will oversee the implementation of these laws, review reports submitted by the competent authorities, and regularly report to the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defence on their implementation.
- The participants also agreed to intensify, without delay, efforts to appoint two judges to the Constitutional Court and to conduct an inclusive dialogue on all appointments carried out through the procedures of the Parliament of Montenegro, ensuring that such appointments are made with the broadest possible agreement between the government and the opposition – the statement reads.
The statement further notes that the participants reaffirmed their commitment to implementing priority electoral reforms as part of fulfilling the political criteria for EU membership, while continuing dialogue aimed at strengthening public confidence in the electoral process and improving mechanisms of democratic oversight ahead of the upcoming elections.
- It was agreed that the parliamentary majority and the opposition will strive to adopt decisions relating to electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 elections by consensus, through a responsible and inclusive political and social dialogue - the statement emphasized.
The statement concludes that the participants also agreed to continue political dialogue on issues of particular importance for Montenegro's further progress on its path toward membership in the European Union in the coming period.