Koprivica meets UNODC Regional Representative on continued cooperation in strengthening the rule of law

Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Judiciary and Anti-Corruption Momo Koprivica met with Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Danilo Rizzi.

Deputy Prime Minister Koprivica thanked UNODC for its continuous support to Montenegro in strengthening the rule of law, improving institutional capacities, and implementing activities in the areas of combating corruption and organised crime.

He emphasised that, thanks to measures undertaken to prevent cigarette smuggling and the destruction of 138,000 packages of cigarettes in a single, credibly conducted procedure, with the participation of partner services, continuous video surveillance and coordination among several institutions, Montenegro had sent a strong message of zero tolerance towards cigarette smuggling. Through prosecutorial activities, all organised criminal groups involved in cigarette smuggling have been prosecuted.

Koprivica noted that, as a result of these efforts, the latest study by KPMG on the illicit tobacco market in Europe, conducted on behalf of Philip Morris International (PMI), indicates that Montenegro recorded the lowest level of illicit cigarette consumption since the monitoring of this market began, with a decrease of 4.6 percentage points compared to 2024.

Regional Representative of UNODC Danilo Rizzi expressed the organisation’s readiness to continue supporting Montenegro in implementing reforms and strengthening institutional capacities through joint activities and initiatives of mutual interest.

The interlocutors agreed that continued cooperation between the Government of Montenegro and UNODC is of particular importance, especially in areas contributing to the improvement of corruption prevention mechanisms, strengthening judicial institutions and achieving common goals in the field of the rule of law.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of further UNODC support in improving control mechanisms and promoting responsible gambling practices, as well as supporting prevention programmes aimed at protecting citizens, especially young people, and strengthening a responsible approach in this area.

Deputy Prime Minister Koprivica informed UNODC representatives about comprehensive activities undertaken by the competent authorities to bring order to the gambling sector, remove illegal terminals from hospitality establishments and strengthen oversight. These measures have resulted in the prosecution of several persons responsible for abuses and an increase in budget revenues, which reached a record €43 million in 2025, compared to €22 million in 2023 and only around €12 million in previous years. This demonstrates that state losses had previously been substantial.

According to Koprivica, these results are a consequence of stricter legislation, the prevention of abuses and strengthened supervision. The Government and its competent institutions remain committed to ensuring full legality and implementing measures to protect young people from abuse. In this context, it was assessed that enhanced cooperation, together with the application of best comparative practices, represents an important factor for success.