Troccaz, Bečić: You're doing an excellent job

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić met with Special Envoy of France for the Western Balkans René Troccaz.

At the outset, Troccaz emphasised that France, by appointing a special envoy for the Western Balkans, aims to assist countries in the region in accelerating the EU accession process.

Bečić briefed Troccaz on the achievements of the first 100 days of the Government of Montenegro, highlighting the revitalization of the European path and the unblocking, or removal from the acting capacity, of key institutions such as the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office, the Judicial Council, the Constitutional Court, and the Central Bank. Additionally, he underscored that Montenegro became the first country in the Western Balkans to ratify all four agreements resulting from the Berlin Process.

Our achievements demonstrate that Montenegro is rapidly progressing towards the European Union, which, along with credible NATO membership, is our strategic commitment. All our capacities are directed towards fulfilling interim benchmarks so that we can then proceed with closing a significant number of chapters. For this reason, we are making tremendous efforts to seize the historical opportunity that has presented itself, stated Bečić.

Bečić emphasised that the Government's priority is an uncompromising fight against crime and corruption, supported by the impressive results witnessed daily. The security sector, in collaboration with the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office and relevant prosecutor's offices, is achieving outstanding results. Daily actions, prosecutions, arrests of even the most untouchable individuals, as well as numerous seizures and dismantling of smuggling networks, confirm that the eradication of crime and corruption from all levels of society, the strengthening of institutions, and the establishment of a system where there are no protected individuals, are the main directions of our policy. Political performances and attempts to create a negative image of the security sector were, in fact, attempts to divert attention from the essence and continuation of actions by the Sector for combating crime, the Special Police Department, the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office, and other police and prosecutorial structures. However, as we can see, these attempts were unsuccessful and easily thwarted by citizens, and the subsequent actions demonstrate even greater uncompromising determination and partnership between the security sector and the prosecution in building a rule of law that is stronger than any individual or criminal group, Bečić emphasised.

Special envoy Troccaz praised the achievements:

You are doing an excellent job, and the French authorities are positively surprised by the results you have achieved in such a short time, he emphasised.

He paid particular attention to the recently completed census. "The way you conducted the census, despite the specificities of the Western Balkans, can serve as an example to other countries in the region," Troccaz emphasised.

Bečić explained that the census had long been abused for political purposes.

We have shown what a free census looks like, without tensions, ideological, and political abuses, a census in which no one is discriminated against or rewarded for their preferences. This sends an important message that society is maturing and rising above divisive ideologies. The census, conducted through dialogue, inclusivity, transparency, and rigorous oversight mechanisms, has contributed to calming social tensions and stabilizing the situation. With the restoration of institutional functionality and political stability, the path to rapid implementation of reforms has been paved, and this is the only acceptable direction in which this Government wants to move together with its citizens, Bečić concluded.