Representatives of Montenegro’s state institutions – from the judiciary, the Ministry of Finance, and the Montenegrin Investment Agency – participated in a workshop and an international conference at Bocconi University in Milan, dedicated to managing international disputes and developing arbitration practices.
The event consisted of the First Annual Workshop for Government Representatives on International Disputes and the Third Annual Arbitration Conference, bringing together experts from the fields of international law, policy, and investment. The workshop focused on practical skills in managing disputes involving states, foreign investors, and arbitration mechanisms, while the conference addressed broader issues of international responsibility under the theme “War and Peace, and International Arbitration: Perspectives on Accountability for Violent Conflicts.”
The conference featured participation from Jelena Radović Ivanišević, a judge of the Commercial Court, Jelena Rašović, an advisor at the Supreme Court of Montenegro, Snežana Đurović, Director of the Investment Agency, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro. Their participation was made possible with the support of the AIRE Centre and the Government of the United Kingdom, as well as the regional RegioTrade programme, implemented by GIZ with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, aimed at strengthening inter-institutional capacities for representing state interests in the international legal arena.
“Our agency deals daily with issues related to investment protection and ensuring legal security for investors. The practical insights gained from this workshop will enhance our efficiency in working with investors and help build a legal framework that provides clear procedures and strengthens investor confidence, while also safeguarding the public interest through improved institutional preparedness and better intersectoral coordination,” said Snežana Đurović, Director of the Investment Agency of Montenegro. She also emphasised that such programmes highlight the importance of legal infrastructure for the country’s economic development.
“I am grateful to the AIRE Centre for their support and the opportunity to exchange experiences with colleagues from other legal systems. It is clear that topics related to international standards and their application in administrative and international law are becoming increasingly important for our work. Such initiatives are invaluable as they contribute to further strengthening the court’s capacities and aligning with modern legal practices,” said Jelena Rašović, advisor at the Supreme Court of Montenegro.
Judge Jelena Radović Ivanišević highlighted the growing need for knowledge of international arbitration in everyday judicial practice. “The Commercial Court of Montenegro handles cases with international elements – whether related to investment disputes, arbitration clauses in contracts, or the interpretation of international investment protection standards. We already have specific cases where the domestic judiciary has demonstrated its ability to respond efficiently, but this type of training offers an opportunity to further align with best practices,” noted Radović Ivanišević.
Fahira Brodlija, an advisor at GIZ, stated that for the Western Balkans region, which is undergoing significant reforms related to cross-border trade and investments, it is crucial to ensure that competent institutions receive support in developing the necessary capacities for implementing reformed policies and procedures. “The interactive government workshop at Bocconi University is a unique programme in which Montenegrin government representatives and their counterparts from the region, alongside colleagues from the Philippines, Chile, Peru, and other countries, had the opportunity to work with leading experts in the field. Over four days, participants acquired practical insights and soft skills needed for the prevention, management, and resolution of investment disputes, in line with the best EU practices and policies. The GIZ RegioTrade project actively supports the development of these policies and capacities, focusing on preventing and successfully handling investment disputes while emphasising sustainable development goals.”
Vanja Radević, project manager at the AIRE Centre, outlined the organisation’s upcoming activities in this area. “This support is part of a broader cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, the AIRE Centre, and the Government of the United Kingdom within the Arbitration Reform Project in Montenegro. The project’s goal is to modernise the legislative framework, strengthen the capacities of judicial institutions, and establish a modern, efficient system for resolving investment and commercial disputes through arbitration. We will continue working on this together, and the results will follow.”
