Having congratulated them personally on their election, Mr Koprivica expressed his belief that the forthcoming period will be a period of reforms, recovery and strengthening of the independence of the Agency, which is an institution that has an extremely important role to play and is very significant in the prevention of corruption.

A number of topics important for the improvement of the overall anti-corruption framework were discussed at the meeting, and special emphasis was given to the need to define legislative solutions in order to strengthen the operational and financial independence of the APC, create preconditions for connecting databases and exchanging data with the Special State Prosecutor’s Office and other state bodies, and further reform of the Law on the Prevention of Corruption and the Law on the Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns, as well as the fullest possible implementation of GRECO recommendations.

The interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to strengthen the mechanisms for concrete cooperation between the APC and the National Council for the Fight against Corruption, primarily in the field of implementation of the Strategy for the Fight against Corruption. The APC representatives agreed to the proposal to join the National Council and contribute to its efficient work.

It was concluded that it was necessary to carry out an analysis of the need to amend and improve the criminal law framework to enable more effective fight against corruption and prosecution of illicit enrichment, which would be a major step forward for Montenegro in that fight. The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Koprivica, pointed out that the Government would take all steps necessary to start the exchange of data between anti-corruption authorities in the Western Balkans with the aim of revealing corruption patterns and hidden assets.

The ways in which a methodology for the assessment of corruption risks in legislation could be set up were analysed at the meeting and a message was sent that the Government is firmly resolved to introduce effective screening of regulations with regard to such risks, with the aim of establishing a fair legal system and equal opportunities for everyone to work and live in a corruption-free environment.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Koprivica, said that the Government of Montenegro respected the independence of the APC and that through the legislative process the Government would contribute to the strengthening of the operational and financial independence of this institution, in order to build the Agency, after the reform, to be a strong anti-corruption pillar which would effectively stimulate public officials to strictly abide by the law.