" We must not ignore the fact that our target audiences are not just citizens and the media, but also parties to the proceedings, other state bodies, colleagues that we are working with, as they all contribute to shaping opinions about the work of the state prosecution service", the Acting Supreme State Prosecutor (PLEASE ADD FULL NAME) said at the presentation of the Guidelines on Crisis Communication held in Podgorica on 28 April. Mr Stankovic further stated that the Guidelines are especially important bearing in mind that prosecutors are facing communication challenges in their professional work almost on a daily basis.

The Guidelines for prosecutors on communication in crisis situations were developed under the EU and Council of Europe joint action "Accountability and Professionalism of the Judicial System of Montenegro" and adopted by the Prosecutorial Council in December 2020. The Guidelines are designed to provide general but not exhaustive guidance to prosecutors, formulated to assist in securing adequate communication with citizens and media in crisis situations, while promoting transparency and accountability of prosecutors.

In order to promote the use of Guidelines and provide concrete examples and best practices related to its implementation, three promotional events for prosecutors, in particular press prosecutors, will be held. The first event which was held in Podgorica, gathered prosecutors from Podgorica and Niksic, including representatives of the Supreme State Prosecution Office, the Special Prosecution Office, the High Prosecution Office and basic prosecution offices from Podgorica and Niksic. Representatives of the Secretariat of the Prosecutorial Council also took part in the presentation. Two promotional events for prosecutors from the southern and northern region will be held in Berane and Budva in May 2021.