Cabinet adopts the Annex to the Anti-Corruption Strategy at its 123rd session

At its 123rd session, the Montenegrin Cabinet adopted the Annex to the Anti-Corruption Strategy, which, for the first time, explicitly includes the prevention of corruption among individuals holding the highest positions within the executive branch among its priority areas.

This document further strengthens mechanisms of integrity, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels of state administration, with a clear commitment that the fight against corruption must encompass all levels of government, without exception.

The adoption of the Annex represents an important step toward improving public trust in institutions and confirms the Government’s commitment to the effective implementation of the standards of the rule of law and responsible governance. The Annex, with its additional priority area, sends a signal regarding both the activities already implemented and those planned for implementation, as well as the importance the Government attaches to this issue.

The Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy also provides for a significant number of measures and activities aimed at strengthening the integrity of persons holding the highest positions in the executive branch and preventing corruption at that level.

In accordance with the Strategy, the Government continuously undertakes measures to strengthen the integrity of persons holding the highest positions in the executive branch. By way of reminder, last year the Law on Civil Servants and State Employees was adopted, in which, following a proposal by the National Council for the Fight Against Corruption, conditions for the appointment of advisers to the President of the State, Parliament, and Government, as well as advisers to Deputy Prime Ministers, chiefs and deputy chiefs of cabinet, were prescribed for the first time, together with procedures for the verification of their integrity prior to appointment.

In addition, the Draft Law on Government was established and submitted to Parliament for consideration and adoption, as well as a proposal for constitutional amendments envisaging the removal of immunity for the President and members of the Government in cases involving criminal offences related to abuse of official duty. This demonstrates the importance that the Government of Montenegro attaches to this matter.