The ratification of the International Treaty on Exchange of Data on the Assets of Public Officials represents a significant step forward in the fight against corruption at the regional level, through which Montenegro clearly confirms its readiness to contribute to the regional fight against this global challenge through the application of good practices and the implementation of all mechanisms for the verification of assets and income of public officials.

The Agency for Prevention of Corruption expresses its satisfaction that the signing of this treaty has created the conditions for the development of mechanisms and procedures for cooperation and the exchange of data on the income and assets of public officials in the signatory countries, in which the Agency will actively participate. The successful implementation of the Treaty will depend primarily on consistent cooperation between the countries, as well as the readiness of national institutions to use the mechanisms provided by the Treaty.

The Agency hopes that other countries in the region will join the Treaty in order to obtain an effective model for the exchange of data on the income and assets of public officials, which would enable more efficient prevention and detection of cases of hidden assets and income.

The Treaty will enter into force when it is ratified by at least three signatory states. In addition to Montenegro, this has been done by North Macedonia so far, while ratification by Serbia and Moldova is expected.