Independence, accountability and an impartial fight against crime define the work of the State Prosecution Service

Marking State Prosecutors’ Days, Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković noted that, over the past three years, efforts to strengthen the State Prosecution Service institutionally had been intensified, with the aim of creating the conditions for impartial and effective action against all forms of crime, strengthening professional accountability and building the capacity to ensure high-quality and efficient work, while also maintaining a stable European path.

“A strong, independent and accountable State Prosecution Service is one of the key pillars of the rule of law. Its role is to uphold legality, treat everyone equally and make decisions exclusively based on the law and evidence, regardless of the political, economic or social status of those concerned,” the Supreme State Prosecutor said.

He identified strengthening the autonomy and independence of each state prosecutor, both from external and internal influences, as one of the key achievements. This is grounded in respect for the Constitution, the law, and the evidential strength of each case.

Alongside efforts to strengthen independence, mechanisms for professional accountability have also been improved through the establishment of an institutional mechanism to protect the autonomy of state prosecutors, the adoption of a new Code of Ethics accompanied by guidelines for its implementation, and improvements to the rules governing performance assessments.

“Independence and accountability must go hand in hand. The work of a state prosecutor must be protected from any undue influence, while at the same time entailing accountability for the legality, quality and timeliness of decisions,” the Supreme State Prosecutor emphasised.

Marković noted that progress in investigations and prosecutions, particularly in cases involving organised crime and high-level corruption, had also been recognised in the European Commission’s assessments, representing the most significant benchmark for negotiating Chapters 23 and 24.

During the same period, the handling of cases involving domestic violence, attacks on journalists, ill-treatment and torture, hate speech and hate crimes has been improved. Binding instructions have also been issued, establishing clearer standards for handling cases and mechanisms for monitoring their implementation.

We have continued investigating and prosecuting war crimes, improving international cooperation and combating human trafficking. In environmental protection, an inter-institutional Operational Team has been established to coordinate action and improve the detection and prosecution of environmental crime.

The Supreme State Prosecutor also highlighted the strengthening of professional support services, the recruitment of new staff, and continued investment in professional development.

EU membership confirms the standards we must uphold permanently

Speaking about Montenegro’s European future, the Supreme State Prosecutor stressed that the objective was not merely to fulfil the obligations arising from negotiating Chapters 23 and 24, but to build an institution ready to participate on an equal footing and effectively in the European judicial area once Montenegro joined the European Union.

“Membership of the European Union does not represent the end of reforms for us, but rather confirmation of the standards we are obliged to uphold permanently. It is our responsibility to turn the progress we have made into a lasting institutional strength, ready to meet the challenges ahead. This is an obligation we have towards the citizens of Montenegro and future generations,” the Supreme State Prosecutor concluded, extending his congratulations to state prosecutors and employees on State Prosecutors’ Day.

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The importance of the State Prosecution Service in the European integration process was also highlighted by the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Johann Sattler. He stressed that the State Prosecution Service would remain a key pillar of Montenegro’s rule of law system, both on its path towards EU membership and long after accession.

On behalf of the European Union, Sattler thanked everyone whose work and commitment had contributed to Montenegro’s progress in implementing rule of law reforms. He emphasised that closing negotiating chapters did not mean reforms in the rule of law area would end; on the contrary, they would continue.