President’s Office: Constitutional amendments are progress towards EU accession, their full implementation is the next step

The Office of the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, welcomes the adoption of the constitutional amendments, describing them as an important step in Montenegro’s European integration process and in fulfilling its commitments under the European agenda.

As stated in the Office’s press release, it is particularly significant that the constitutional amendments were adopted with broad political consensus and the support of representatives of both the government and the opposition.

- Such an approach confirms that issues of long-term importance for Montenegro’s European path can and should be a matter of shared responsibility. However, the adoption of the constitutional amendments does not mark the end of this process. On the contrary, they should serve as an incentive to continue reforms and further strengthen the institutions of the rule of law. Their full significance will not be measured solely by the fulfilment of current European obligations, but above all by the results of their implementation - the President’s Office said.

At the same time, they added, a responsible and cautious approach should be maintained with regard to certain solutions that have been adopted, taking into account the issues and concerns raised during the public debate by representatives of the professional community and the non-governmental sector.

- That is why, in the next stages of judicial reform, it is necessary to continue an open, inter-institutional and multisectoral dialogue and to give due consideration to these well-founded views, particularly in the process of implementing the new constitutional provisions - the statement reads.

As they further noted, the most important thing now is for the adopted solutions to produce concrete results in practice.

- The President’s Office encourages the State Prosecutor’s Office and other competent institutions to continue, within the scope of their constitutional and legal powers, to act independently, professionally and impartially - the statement said.

They believe that citizens’ trust in institutions is built through their actions, rather than through normative solutions alone.

- That is why real progress in the area of the rule of law will be measured by concrete results: more efficient and accountable institutions, greater legal certainty, stronger public trust, and a determined fight against corruption and organised crime - the President’s Office of Montenegro concluded.