Montenegro has reached a significant milestone in its EU accession negotiations, as confirmed at the sixteenth Accession Conference with Montenegro at the Ministerial level, held on 26 June 2024 in Brussels. The country received a positive Report on the implementation of interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom, and Security) (IBAR), with crucial strategic and legislative developments playing a pivotal role in this achievement.

Two key pieces of legislation, the Law on Prevention of Corruption and the Law on Seizure and Confiscation of Assets Derived from Criminal Activity, were adopted by the Parliament on 7 June 2024, which were part of the legislative package upon which IBAR was conditioned.

The Council of Europe supported Montenegrin institutions in the drafting process for both pieces of legislation. As part of the Action against Economic Crime in Montenegro, the Council of Europe provided expert assistance in preparing the necessary amendments. 

To facilitate the process, the Action organised a series of targeted workshops. A two-day workshop on 18–19 March 2024 brought together members of the Ministry of Justice's working group, tasked with drafting amendments to the Law on Prevention of Corruption. The Council of Europe experts, along with the member of the Working group from the Ministry of Justice, Agency for Prevention of Corruption (APC), and Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, reviewed key sections of the Law, including the Agency’s mandate, asset declarations, conflict of interest, whistleblowing, and integrity plans.

Similarly, a workshop was held on 4–5 April 2024 to support the Ministry of Justice's Working group in drafting amendments to the Law on Seizure and Confiscation of Assets Derived from Criminal Activity. The amendments were focused on strengthening the legislative framework for extended confiscation and confiscation without conviction in criminal procedure, with future plans to introduce civil confiscation. 

The activity was organised by the Action against economic crime in Montenegro, within the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.