27/06/2012 Session
Strasbourg, 27.06.2012 - The PACE today welcomed the substantial progress made by Montenegro in fulfilling its obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe. Drawing on the conclusions of the co-rapporteurs on this question, Jean-Charles Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD) and Nursuna Memecan, (Turkey, ALDE), the Assembly observed that the country had signed and ratified 83 Council of Europe conventions, thus complying with all the requirements contained in Resolution 1724 (2010), and had continued to fully co-operate with the Venice Commission and other Council of Europe monitoring bodies.
The PACE also noted the positive role played by Montenegro in the stabilisation of the region and its involvement in several regional and multilateral initiatives. It also highlighted the fact that the country had adopted or brought into line numerous laws in the field of the rule of law, democracy and human rights, and welcomed in particular the progress made in aligning its legislation on elections and citizenship with the Constitution.
However, the Assembly believes that some key steps still needed to be taken in a number of key areas that will remain the focus of the monitoring procedure. These include: completion of the reform of the judiciary and amendments to the Constitution; the capacity of political parties to reach the necessary compromises and ensure that the rights of all minorities are respected; the fight against corruption and organised crime; and the legal status of IDPs and refugees.
Pending progress in the implementation of these recommendations, the Assembly decided to continue its monitoring procedure with respect to Montenegro.