Today, this June 6, 2008, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, H.E. Mr. Milo Đukanović, met with the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Thomas Hammarberg [1].

Prime Minister Đukanović expressed satisfaction with successful cooperation between the Government of Montenegro and the Council of Europe aimed at promoting Montenegro’s democratic development. He noted that Montenegro, as the youngest Council of Europe’s Member State, had demonstrated particular sensitivity towards responsibilities arising from membership of the oldest pan-European organisation. Montenegro’s commitment to this goal has been confirmed by the Action Plan for the Fulfillment of Obligations in the Post-Accession Period. This confirms the maturity and capacity of the Montenegrin society to participate in multilateral international organisations. Prime Minister Đukanović recognised the opening of the Council of Europe Office in Podgorica and Montenegro’s Permanent Mission to Council of Europe as important infrastructural preconditions for better cooperation. Prime Minister Đukanović also thanked Council of Europe bodies for their kind support in drafting the text of the Constitution of Montenegro and expressed his Government’s openness to suggestions and recommendations aimed at shaping Montenegro’s legislation in line with Council of Europe and European Union standards.

Commissioner Hammarberg thanked his host for the excellent organisation of his team’s working visit to Montenegro, the purpose of which was to estimate, through a standard procedure for all Member States, the state of Human Rights and collect relevant information for the preparation of the Council of Europe Report on the State of Human Rights in Montenegro. The Commissioner described the first Constitution of independent Montenegro as a very good model for other countries, adding that he was particularly pleased that the Council of Europe had helped with its drafting. He underlined the importance of respecting the Constitution and preparing and adopting relevant legislation, as well as of adequate implementation of adopted legislation. By the same token, Commissioner Hammarberg expressed Council of Europe’s unreserved commitment to helping Montenegro strengthen the mechanisms facilitating the implementation of legislation. He commended recent judiciary reforms, particularly those aimed at achieving full autonomy of the judicial system.

Both parties welcomed the appointment of the Montenegrin judge to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France, Dr. Nebojša B. Vučinić, expressing an expectation that an agent representing Montenegro’s interests before the Court would soon be appointed. It was agreed that Montenegro had acceded to most key conventions of the Council of Europe, and Montenegro’s ratification of the few remaining treaties in the near future was recognised as a matter of common interest.