PACE co-rapporteur makes monitoring visit to Montenegro

Strasbourg, 02.03.2012 – The independence of the judiciary, the situation of the media and the fight against corruption in Montenegro are among issues to be raised by Jean-Charles Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD), monitoring co-rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), during a fact-finding visit to the country from 5 to 8 March 2012.

Mr Gardetto, who is preparing the latest report on the country for debate at the Assembly’s summer session in June, will also raise the rights of minorities, the fight against discrimination and the situation of refugees and IDPs during an extended series of meetings with Montenegrin ministers, parliamentarians, political party representatives, judges and prosecutors, civil society groups, minority groups and media.

Montenegro has been subject to the Assembly’s monitoring procedure since it joined the Council of Europe in 2007. The procedure involves regular dialogue with the authorities and civil society, as well as election observation, to assess how far the country is meeting its obligations and commitments as a member state. Ten out of the 47 Council of Europe member states are currently monitored by PACE.

Mr Gardetto will give a press briefing at the Hotel Podgorica in Podgorica on Thursday 8 March at 1 p.m.

Information note on the last fact-finding visit to Montenegro (31 May-2 June 2011)

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