PM Luksic, opposition leader Mandic: More transparency, cooperation

As part of the “Consultation Days,” Prime Minister Igor Luksic met with the president of the opposition party New Serb Democracy (NOVA), Andrija Mandic, where the PM announced that he plans to hold regular meetings with political party leaders with the objective of exchanging opinions on most important issues in the state.

This initiative was welcomed by Mandic, who added that it will certainly help improve the cooperation among political parties in Montenegro.

The most important topic of the conversation was the preparations for the census that will take place in April. Mandic and Luksic agreed that the Law on census should be de-politicised to ensure better quality of the statistical data. In this respect they agreed that all citizens should take part in census freely, keeping their minds off politics.

The PM acquainted Mr Mandic with several models of inclusion of opposition parties to the organisation and control of the census process, as well as with technical details that would ensure transparency. They also agreed that a further backing to such organisation of the census should be endorsed by the support of religious leaders.

They also talked on the issue of combat against organised crime and corruption, with a view to meeting the recommendations from the EC Opinion. PM Luksic stressed that the Government has put strong efforts in the past period on making a viable legal, institutional and financial framework for the fight against organised crime and corruption, as well as that it expects additional activity from the judiciary in this field. Mr Mandic voiced his full support in this regard.

The final topic of the discussion was the situation at Ironworks Niksic. PM Luksic reiterated Government’s dedication to help this company and Mandic pledged full support in finding the best long-term solution for the development of the company.