31 January 2019 - Meeting commitments from the Programme of Accession of Montenegro to the EU 2019-2020 leads to the adoption and application of European standards in all areas and improvement of the quality of life of citizens, Deputy Chief Negotiator Dragan Marković told a press conference following the Government's session.
At the session, the Government of Montenegro passed the Programme of Accession of Montenegro to the EU for the period 2019-2020, which represents a two-year plan of legislative, strategic and administrative reform activities of the Government of Montenegro in the field of European integration and fulfiling obligations from the negotiation process.
Ms Marković stated that, by implementing this document, the Government would intensify the reforms aimed at raising the living standards and the quality of life of citizens.
According to the Accession Programme, in the next two-year period, 108 laws and 254 sub-legal acts, 112 strategic documents, as well as the strengthening of administrative capacities in the institutions that carry the reform activities, are planned.
"The most obligations in the legislative section are expected in the chapters: 24 - Justice, freedom and security, and the largest number of sub-legal acts in chapters: 1 - Freedom of movement of goods, Chapter 12 - Food safety, veterinary and photocontrol supervision, 14 - Traffic policy and Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change. The majority of strategic documents are planned under Chapter 14 - Transport Policy, Chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security, and Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change. The greatest need for strengthening administrative capacity is under Chapter 23 - Justice and Fundamental Rights, Chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security, Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change, Chapters 1 - Freedom of Movement of Goods. and Chapter 19 - Social Policy and Employment," Ms Marković explained.
She pointed out that the most significant number of obligations in implementing the Programme of Accession covers sectors of the economy, finance, agriculture and rural development, and transport and maritime affairs.
Given the importance of chapters 23 and 24 for progress in the accession negotiations, the Deputy Chief Negotiator noted that the Programme of Accession defines activities aimed at fulfilling provisional benchmarks in these areas.
She explained that in these chapters, the passing of several important laws had been planned, namely: the Law on Internal Affairs, Law on Media, Law Amending the Law on National Broadcaster RTCG, Law Amending the Law on State Prosecutor's Office, Law Amending the Law on Courts, Law Amending the Law on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters with EU member states.
She said that the quality and efficient implementation of the Program of Accession would ensure the improvement of the results of the negotiation structure, maintaining the excellent dynamics of the accession process and achieving internal readiness to close chapters temporarily.
