The Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI) organised a press conference to present the key results and achievements of the project “Supporting EU integration of Montenegro - for independent and professional Judiciary as a key precondition!”, implemented with the financial

support of the European Union and co-financed by the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro.

The main findings and outcomes of the project were presented by Damir Suljević, Head of the Legal Department at CeMI, and Gordana Mitrović, trial monitor.

Over the course of the project, significant progress was achieved in strengthening the rule of law, enhancing transparency and accountability within the judiciary, and promoting equal access to justice. Through trial monitoring activities, a total of 157 hearings and 466 court case files across Montenegro were analysed, providing reliable and evidence-based data for further analysis and the development of policy recommendations.

As part of the project, one annual trial monitoring report, three policy papers, and two thematic reports were prepared. These outputs were presented at three roundtables organised within the project, two additional conferences, and one high-level national conference, which brought together as many as 98 participants, including representatives of the judiciary, prosecution, executive authorities, civil society, and the media, fostering inclusive and substantive dialogue on key challenges and reform priorities in the justice sector.

The project also included a nationwide public opinion survey conducted on a sample of 995 respondents, further strengthening the evidence base for the analysis and recommendations.

A particularly important contribution to the project was made through investigative journalism, with a total of 13 in-depth analyses produced by CIN-CG. These addressed key challenges in the functioning of the judicial system, including corruption, the length of proceedings, victim protection, and institutional accountability. The articles were published on the Vijesti news portal, reaching a wide audience with over 610,102 views, and significantly contributing to public awareness and fostering broader public debate on the state of the judiciary.

The project further strengthened cooperation between civil society and judicial institutions, as well as institutional openness towards external monitoring and public dialogue. Through its analytical and research-based approach, the project contributed to evidence-based policymaking and provided concrete recommendations aligned with European Union standards.