The Supreme Court of Montenegro and the AIRE Centre have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, establishing a framework for new joint activities aimed at improving the implementation of European and international standards within Montenegro’s judicial system. This agreement, realized with the support of the British Embassy in Podgorica, aims to strengthen the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in domestic court practices and contribute to judicial reforms in the context of Montenegro’s European integration, particularly within the framework of Negotiation Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.
The Memorandum outlines a series of activities, including thematic round tables and seminars, the development of analyses and reports, and raising awareness of the standards set by the most significant rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, with a special focus on the practices of countries in the region. Through this collaboration, the Supreme Court of Montenegro will actively contribute to strengthening the professional capacities of judges and judicial institutions, while the AIRE Centre will provide support through expert analyses, educational activities, and the engagement of international experts.
The President of the Supreme Court of Montenegro, Valentina Pavličić, emphasized the importance of this initiative in strengthening judicial independence and aligning judicial practices with European standards: “This cooperation further strengthens Montenegro’s judiciary in the process of European integration, enabling judges to consistently apply the standards of the European Court of Human Rights. Through my previous work, I have had positive experiences with the AIRE Centre. The support of the United Kingdom Government for judicial institutions is undeniable, and we can recognize it at every step. A system is strong only if it has the trust of citizens. It is time for trust in the judiciary to become a lasting category rather than a fleeting one. That is what we are building through such partnerships.”
In 2025, the Supreme Court of Montenegro initiated work on strengthening and improving the monitoring of court cases through an electronic case management system, aimed at reducing court backlogs and ensuring the more intensive application of European Court of Human Rights standards.
The Director of the Western Balkans Programme at the AIRE Centre, Biljana Braithwaite, highlighted that this Memorandum represents an important step in advancing the rule of law: “Through this project, together with the Supreme Court, we are working on raising awareness and strengthening the capacities of domestic courts for the consistent application of fundamental human rights, which is a key prerequisite for judicial reforms in Montenegro. President Pavličić, given her previous cooperation and understanding of the European Court of Human Rights’ practice, recognizes the significance of these efforts in strengthening the rule of law and aligning with European standards. Nothing will happen overnight, but compare the situation today to a few years ago. You will see major and important progress.”
