The “Ethics and Integrity” conference, dedicated to strengthening the integrity and accountability of holders of the highest executive functions in public administration, was held at the Hilton Podgorica hotel.

At the opening, speeches were delivered by Ms. Irena Vućić Popović, Deputy Secretary General of the Government, Mr. Dušan Drakić, Acting Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (APC) and Mr. Agron M. Camaj, Director of the Human Resources Administration.

The conference brought together senior officials of the executive branch to discuss issues that may seem formal at first glance, but are fundamentally important for public perception and trust: conflicts of interest, integrity restrictions, handling of gifts, and other anti-corruption mechanisms. The message is clear: strengthening integrity in public administration is not a technical matter, but a strategic one that determines citizens’ trust in institutions.

Acting Director of the APC, Dušan Drakić, emphasized:

“Today, the Agency operates in a significantly different context than before – it is recognized as a reliable partner of citizens and institutions, and its work is based on professional standards, stable mechanisms, transparent procedures, and above all, partnership cooperation. Only through joint efforts across society can we build a system in which citizens’ trust is affirmed not by words, but by actions.”

In this context, international expert Dr. Jure Škrbec delivered a training session on modern mechanisms for preventing corruption in the public sector. He presented practical tools—from integrity plans and confidential counselling to integrity checks of officials and monitoring of financial flows.

Earlier, at the initiative of the Agency and in order to meet GRECO recommendations, Dr. Škrbec prepared a comprehensive analysis of models and practices in the field of confidential counselling for individuals holding the highest executive functions. The analysis was submitted to the Secretary General of the Government and the Deputy Prime Minister for the political system, justice, and anti-corruption, to serve as a basis for considering the most appropriate institutional arrangement for implementing this mechanism within Montenegro’s executive branch.

Additionally, at the request of the APC, the expert prepared an Analysis of Models and Best Practices regarding Integrity Checks in the Public Sector, aimed at providing institutions introducing this mechanism with concrete guidance and facilitating its implementation.

The General Secretariat of the Government of Montenegro emphasizes that the ethics and integrity of public officials are the foundation of citizens’ trust in institutions and a prerequisite for successful reforms.

Deputy Secretary General of the Government, Irena Vućić Popović, stated:

“Integrity is the shield that protects the credibility of institutions and guarantees that citizens can trust those who lead them. It is our duty to show that decisions can be fair, that interactions with people can be dignified, and that politics can serve the future rather than the past.”

The General Secretariat stresses that the fight against corruption and the strengthening of trust are not mere technical obligations, but processes that begin with the personal example of every employee in public administration.

The Human Resources Administration emphasized that ethics and integrity are the foundations of a professional, modern, and reliable public administration, and that strengthening them is a strategic priority on Montenegro’s path toward European integration. The Administration’s Director, Agron M. Camaj, stated:

“Today’s training confirms that ethics and integrity are not side topics, but strategic priorities of Montenegro’s executive branch. Investing in integrity, and in the development of the human capital of our public administration in general, is not an expense but the most valuable investment in institutional strength and citizens’ trust.”

The Administration will continue, through modern training programs and strengthening of managerial staff, to build a public administration based on professionalism, transparency, and meritocracy—ready to respond to contemporary challenges and EU standards.

The training is the result of cooperation between the General Secretariat of the Government, the Human Resources Administration, and the Agency for Prevention of Corruption.

The conference concluded with the message that strengthening the integrity of everyone in public administration is the only path toward building a system in which citizens’ trust rests on actions, not words.