"The International Anti-Corruption Day is an opportunity to remind ourselves that the fight against corruption is not only a legal obligation, but also our ethical and social imperative. On behalf of the Council of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption, I would like to point out our full determination in continuing to build an independent institution that is the institutional guarantor of the fight against corruption in Montenegro and the challenges that threaten the basic democratic principles, economic growth, justice and equality of our citizens. Our common goal is clear - it is transparency, proactivity in work, and equal and impartial action in all cases towards all individuals. The priority of the Agency in the coming period will be to resolve the backlog cases, strengthen the institutional capacity of the Agency in order to respond promptly to all upcoming challenges, and educate citizens, especially young people, about the harmful effects of corruption. I believe that investment in advancement, awareness and knowledge of new generations lays the foundations of a fair and responsible society. It is not always possible to achieve absolute harmony between the desired and the existing state, which is why we face numerous challenges in our work that motivate an active and dedicated contribution of all members of the Council to make an active contribution to the improvement and implementation of the legislative framework, within our competences, and stronger cooperation with domestic and international partners. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that the Council will soon adopt a strategic document for the development of the Agency until 2028, which includes key reforms and activities in the fight against corruption. Bearing in mind that the fight against corruption is not the task of just one institution, but the obligation of every individual and every community, we call on all social actors to join our efforts in order to create a fair, responsible and transparent society for the benefit of all our citizens. The fight against corruption is of crucial importance for Montenegro's progress on its path towards membership in the European Union, meeting the final benchmarks for Chapter 23. The real test of our progress is reflected not only in the laws we adopt, but in our readiness to consistently implement them and sanction those who violate them. I am convinced that corruption is a challenge that we can and must overcome together."