In 2003 the World Travel and Tourism Council established the prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognising best practice in sustainable tourism in four different categories - Destination Stewardship, Conservation, Community Benefit and Global Tourism Business. Over 160 entries were received this year from 45 countries, and 3 final nominations were shortlisted in each category... More

Here you can watch a video (in Italian and Montenegin) of the press conference between Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, taking place in Rome, where they signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement between Montenegro and Italy... More

Montenegro highly appreciates the United Kingdom’s support for the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union and NATO, Prime Minister Djukanovic said.

The Prime Minister and Ambassador Knight-Sands discussed Montenegro’s national priorities, including the improvement of the quality of life internally and EU and NATO integration externally... More

Here is a link to the article Leader hails U.S. for aiding new countries More

Ministry of Finance published a Bulliten no 18, which contains an overview of activities in the period October-December 2009... More  download

The Vice President met with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic on January 20, 2010. They discussed the strong bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Montenegro, progress and challenges for Montenegro in its Euro-Atlantic integration, and Montenegro’s positive role in promoting stability in the Balkans. The Vice President reiterated U.S. support for Montenegro’s NATO and EU aspirations, and thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership and for Montenegro’s plans to contribute to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Original statement from Office of the Vice President. More

Audio file: Statement of Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic after meeting Secretary Hilary Clinton.
PRIME MINISTER DJUKANOVIC (via interpreter) Ladies and gentlemen, before I begin, I would like to thank Secretary of State Clinton for the overall support that the U.S. has given Montenegro towards its European and Atlantic integration... More

Audio file: Secretary Clinton Meets With Montenegrin Prime Minister in the Department's Treaty Room.
SECRETARY CLINTON: It’s a great pleasure to welcome the prime minister. We consider our partnership with Montenegro to be very strong, and we look forward to it becoming even more important in the future... More

INFORMATION ON TOURISM IN 2009
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At today’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the Government confirmed a decision by the Highway Construction Council to extend the deadline for the best bidder, a Croatian consortium, to secure funding for the contraction of the Bar-Boljare Highway. At the same time, the Government concluded that the consortium had already met the requirement set by the Council, namely that they had provided the required guarantee for they bid, in the amount of €500,000, thereby meeting the requirement for a two-month extension of the deadline... More

The Government of Montenegro and the Union of Administration and Judiciary have established negotiating teams for the development of the first Draft Collective Agreement in the field of administration and judiciary, being a result of qualitative social dialogue. It was agreed to finalize the document by the end of January 2010. Up to present, negotiating teams held two meetings, and the third is scheduled for 30th December 2009. The joint assessment is that negotiations are held in good spirit, with full mutual respect of social partners and their arguments. The objective is to sign the Collective Agreement, providing labor rights, at the same time creating conditions for administration and judiciary efficiency. A joint press conference of Unions and Employers will be organized after finalizing the Collective Agreement, will be organized in a joint press conference the representatives of trade unions and employers... More

Signed Contract of sale of 41.1402% of share capital of the company “Lovcen osiguranje" AD Podgorica. The contract was signed between the Government of Montenegro, Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, Employment Bureau of Montenegro and the Development Fund of Montenegro, as well dealers and and Zavarovalnica Triglav, JSC Slovenia, being the buyer shares. Zavarovalnica Triglav along with related parties became the owner of 91.83% in Montenegro's largest insurance company. The Insurance Supervision Agency issued consent for the purchase of 83,331 shares in “Lovcen osiguranje”, and the purchase of Zavarovalnica Triglav was made in the amount of 5,999,832 Euros, i.e. 72 Euros per share... More

Minister Numanović: ''It is my distinct pleasure to be here today and to address this important seminar. I think that the timing and the topics of the seminar are pariculary important in the context of the current global economic crisis. Initiative to build prosperious area through migrations is the opportunity to use the crisis time for projects that will encourage legal migration, making easier movement of individuals, strengthen the links between mobility and development, and to give mobility a human, cultural, economic and social dimension...'' More  download

The government of Montenegro provided funds in the amount of 5 million Euros for the Social Programme for employees of KAP and Bauxite Mines. The aforementioned funds will be paid to the special account of Crnogorska komercijalna banka. The payment of Governments contribution will initiate simultaneously with the payment of finds provided by the KAP for the Social Programme for which the Government of Montenegro issued guarantee.. More

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic made his first official visit to the Holy See on Monday, on which occasion he was granted an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

The Prime Minister had separate talks with Vatican’s State Secretary Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone and Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Dominique Mamberti. The talks in Vatican were also attended by Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Rocen... More

I guarantee success in achieving our objectives, i.e. to provide for the balancing of loans - by increasing loans to decrease to achieve the credit growth. Aforementioned represents a prerequisite for implementing optimistic scenario, or realistic scenario if we fail to generate credit growth of at least 3 to 5% next year then we can talk about recession. Commercial banks in cooperation with the Central Bank must focus on passive interest rates, being one of the reasons why the active output interest rates significantly increased or are considered to be high. It is agreed with commercial banks to increase the use of cash from international financial institutions for lending to small and medium - sized business. It is expected that the lending will spur the adoption of the Law on Development Investment Fund, for which is being estimated that will additionally or significantly assist in providing incentives to lending, because the Fund will dispose funds that may be used as a guarantee in a manner that the Fund will be in position to issue guarantees for up to 50% for certain loans. If the banking sector is entrusted to the Central Bank to be the regulator, than the Central Bank should entail moves for which considers that will provide proper financial sector stability operating on the basis of adopted rules... More

On the basis of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax, and the Law on contributions for compulsory social insurance, the personal income tax decreased from 12 to 9%, as well as contributions charged to employer from 14.5% to 9.8%, and total aunt of contributions for compulsory social insurance increased from 32 to 33.8%. In this way, contributions charged to employee increased, while contributions charges to employer decreased by 4.2 percentage points. The increase in contributions charged to employee and decrease in net income is not jeopardizing the liquidity of any company in Montenegro. On the contrary, the reduction of the total earnings expenditures, employers are given the option to generate the same level of expenditures for payment of earnings, by decreasing contributions charged to employees along with a minor decrease in net earnings. For example: if the agreed gross earning amounted to 641 Euros, and the net earning amounted to 460 Euros, the total employer’s expenses amounted to 745 Euros. Proposed legislation envisages the canceling of advanced monthly payment of profit tax, leaving more cash for business, improving the liquidity of a company, reducing business barriers and simplifying the payment of tax liabilities procedure... More

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr. Igor Lukšić, PhD., met with Mrs. Jane Armitage, Country Director and Regional Coordinator for South East Europe in the World Bank. The Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić informed Mrs. Armitage on recent measures of the Government of Montenegro aimed at public finance stabilization and finalization of tax reforms initiated in 2002. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed hope that the new set of tax regulations and the Proposal of the Budget Law will be approved by the Parliament, Trade Union and economy, as well as by incorporating new tax solutions will provide more effective implementation of unified tax registration system which will commence next year... More

The 7th Session of the Council for the elimination of business barriers was dedicated to reviewing a model enabling the implementation of efficient amendments to certain legal solutions, for which was estimated to impose restrictions to operation of business organizations. Therefore, the Council proposed the development of laws for improving the business environment, which would include amendments to the existing legal solutions being recognized by the Council as the greatest business barriers. The Council endorsed the Action Plan for regulatory reform and regulatory policy reform, which will be adopted by the Government of Montenegro as a key document for the implementation of the "guillotine of regulations" and further reforms in business barriers area. The Council also endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Montenegro and the International Finance Corporation, defining future consulting and financial assistance and cooperation in the area of improving business environment and eliminating business barriers... More

The Allies decided today to grant Montenegro’s request to join the Membership Action Plan, a NATO program of assistance and practical support tailored to the individual needs of the aspiring members of the Alliance. The Allies agreed that Bosnia and Herzegovina would join MAP as soon as they achieve progress in reform... More

With a view to continuing the local self-government reform, today’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, approved a Proposal for the Law on Territorial Organization of Montenegro. The new legislation retains the existing territorial structure, but also clearly specifies the criteria and procedure for its alteration, placing a special emphasis on the principle of economic sustainability of local self-government units... More

…After long consideration of different transformation options of the Development Fund, the Government determined the Proposal of the Law on Investment – Development Fund of Montenegro, for the reasons being reflected in recommendations previously issued by the State Audit Institution in the context of redefining the position of the Development Fund in our system, due to certain contradiction in budgetary treatment of the Fund, or organizational treatment in the context of the Business Organizations Law. For aforementioned purposes, the new Law is enabling the transformation of the Fund into the Investment Development Fund, i.e. joint stock company that will continue with the provision of the support to entrepreneurship and the Directorate for small and medium – sized enterprises development. This is simultaneously resolving the issues proposed by the State Audit Institution to be resolved and the provision of more qualitative system solution. At the same time the Directorate for the development of small and medium – sized enterprises will continue to perform operations within established scope of activity which is to encourage businesses, create conditions for the development of business incubators to assist micro and small – sized enterprises in reaching high quality business plans, projects, etc.., positioning them on the ... More

Minister for European Integration Gordana Đurovic: "It is my pleasure, as minister in Montenegrin government, to have an opportunity to address the WTO Ministerial Conference. I am coming from one small European country, the youngest UN member. WTO accession is strategic priority of the Government of Montenegro, which has been confirmed through dynamic accession process since February 2005. In this process, Montenegro has fulfilled all obligations on multilateral level, concluded all timely submitted bilateral, and in that sense, draft Final Working Party Report was prepared on 7 November 2008... More

Audio recording: Statement by NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen following his meeting with Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic… More

. The current budget will amount to 651.46 million Euros, and the debt financing is of around 128 million Euros. The amount of the Capital Budget is 121 million Euros, which is by nine million less in this year. State – owned Funds expenditures amount to 527.61 million Euros. One the data are consolidated, this budget will be at the level of about 40% of estimated GDP. A moderate recovery of economy is planned of 0.5%, which means stagnation. We are reviewing a probability of having a budget deficit of around -2%, which is in accordance with the IMF prospectus. Economic activity in recent months is indication that the economy in the next year should not suffer additional fall. We could hope for a recovery or stabilization. A plan for next year is that the Government enters the loan agreements worth 73.5 million Euros, for covering of deficit and debt servicing up to 200 million Euros, and to issue guarantees for loans worth 202 million Euros. It is certain that a one part of guarantee, primarily for KAP and Steel Mill will be transferred from this year to the subsequent year… More

When we make a retrospective of one cooperation and friendship, it is always appropriate to observe achieved results. As I had the opportunity to observe presentations on my way here, I felt great satisfaction with the knowledge, experience, development projects which German Government brought to Montenegro. When someone gives you money, then it becomes your Patron, and when it gives you a part of themselves and their knowledge, then they are your friend. For small countries such as Montenegro, existing the transition, it represents the gift of friendly country that we will remember and return by accelerated learning in peak political and economic path enabling us to learn and help others. And it is the cycle that lasts, providing the opportunity to some new countries, to what we are striving for and where I envisage the most recent future of Montenegro.... More

With a view to harmonizing national legislation with EU regulations, at today’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the Government of Montenegro adopted a Draft Law on the Protection of Genetic Data with a public hearing program. This legal document prescribes the requirements which health institutions need to meet in order to be able to conduct genetic research and analyses, establish indications for genetic research and manage genetic information and counseling... More

The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Mr. Igor Lukšić, PhD, and the World Bank representative in Montenegro Jan - Peter Olters, have signed the Agreement of additional financing of the Project for Health System Improvement of Montenegro. On the basis of the Agreement on Loan, the World Bank will issue to Montenegro the loan in the amount of 5, 10 million Euros for these projects. These funds will be used to support first steps for reforming Montenegrin health system, whereas the priority is to strengthen capacities for planning and regulating the health policy, health system financing stabilization, improvements in the provision of primary health care services. More

Improving business conditions is not and should not be an isolated objective of economic policy makers. In the short run, countries devoting greater attention than others may realize some benefits, but already in medium and long term timely coordinated efforts of the regional countries aimed at creating conditions for easier operation, make the total region both more competitive and visible in the market. Only then real benefits for citizens of our counties may be achieved. It would seem unusual today to neglect the chronology and causes of the crisis. It seems to me that the word "crisis" in the speeches of Ministers of Finance has almost become slang and it is still difficult, after a very uncertain year, to find the right answer. Is the crisis caused by the collapse of the market or is it that a reckless economic policies that were previously implemented? Or our national plans determined by global financial and economic trends. It is a question that the later economic history will be able to answer, if having previous experience in mind could be subject to a basic consensus. However, I believe that the key challenges for recovering from the long-term consequences of the crisis will be to strive business environment and to use further efforts aimed at establishing the free trade system, i.e. free trade exchange. The affirmation of facilitated operations principle in time of economic crisis suggests that institutional economy elements are gradually becoming a part of mainstream economy, which only ten years ago was unthinkable for many... More

On the basis of the European Union’s technical assistance to the Government of Montenegro, through the Project “First Steps for a Decentralized Implementation System (DIS) in Montenegro", Ms. Emilia Cernaianu, the short - term expert in the area of human resources management and strategic planning was engaged in the Ministry of Finance in the period 9 – 7 November 2009. This was the second visit of the short term expert. The objective of the visit was to identify the most important training needs of employees in IPA bodies, i.e. Project Implementation Units (PIU) in all ministries, National Fund, Sector for finance and contracting the EU assistance funds (CFCU), Internal audit units, in relation to their roles and responsibilities within the DIS system. For this purpose, they were submitted a Questionnaire designed for all employees in the aforementioned structures, representing the training needs assessment. The Questionnaire included questions on received training in programming and implementation of IPA projects, needs for further training, as well as the list of skills that are necessary for conducting activities following the conferral of management powers of programmes and projects from the European Commission to the beneficiary country of the EU assistance, i.e. Montenegro... More

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met Monday with UNICEF’s Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Steven Allen. The Prime Minister thanked Mr Allen for UNICEF’s initiative and successful projects in Montenegro... More

Bulletin No 17. More  download

The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Mr. Igor Lukšić met the representatives of Youth SDP, who submitted a petition on the Government’s Decision on employment of trainees in governmental agencies, without compensation on the basis of mutual consent. Mr. Lukšić welcomed the initiative of Youth SDP and the gathering of young people around one idea, stressing that the decision of the Government is positive and stimulating being justified in the financial crisis context, however it was misinterpreted by the public. He repeated that the objective of the Government’s decision was to enable the possibility for young people, that if an institution in which they want to go through the apprenticeship does not have financial resources; this can be done without compensation on the basis of their consent. "In my opinion this is entirely positive decision, bearing in mind that a large number of institutions, due to limited funds, are not in position to employ trainees... More

As part of the ongoing agrarian policy reform and the alignment of domestic legislation with EU regulations, at today’s meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the Government approved the Draft Law on Livestock Farming, with a public hearing program. The new legislation introduces a legal framework for sustainable development and promotion of competitiveness of livestock production, as well as high-quality management of public affairs this area. The public hearing on the Draft will continue for 30 days... More

Minister for Human and Minority Rights Ferhat Dinosha: “Concerning my statement to TV Vijesti about the rights of sexual minorities in Montenegro, as well as the unfounded criticism that followed, I wish to clarify my attitude:
I said that in a conservative and patriarchal society such as ours, the existence of LGBT groups is not good news and that I myself am not very happy about it. However, I emphasised that one should be realistic and should not constrain these persons since they already exist, but provide them with the possibility to exercise their rights without causing any social conflict…” More

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic has met with Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilir Meta, as part of Mr Meta’s two-day visit to Montenegro. Both sides have expressed satisfaction with Montenegrin-Albanian relations in general which, apart from being characterized by good political cooperation, will be additionally reinforced by today’s signing of three agreements between the two countries’ foreign ministries and the forthcoming signing of a cultural cooperation agreement... More

Mr. Chairman,

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. António Guterres for his comprehensive report and very constructive participation in the dialogue we had this morning. Montenegro is committed to playing an active role in supporting UNHCR in assisting States to meet their international obligations aimed at resolving the refugee issues... More  download

The Council for elimination of business barriers at its 6th Session discussed the Action Plan for reforming the Doing Business areas, being developed on the basis of the recommendations from the World Bank for improving the business environment, provided on the basis of the analysis of the latest Doing Business Report 2010. The Action Plan sets a number of measures and reforms to be coordinated by relevant departments in the next short-term and mid-term period. The Council verified the aforementioned Action Plan and submitted it to the Government for approval. The successful implementation of the Action Plan will rank Montenegro in the top ten reformers in the next Doing Business Report. The Council discuses the initiative to amend a number of laws whose legal basis is limiting the business environment. In the forthcoming period the Council will propose to the Government regulations to be amended. More

Negotiations between the representatives of OTP-CKB Bank, KAP and the Ministry of Finance with regard to the credit support in the amount of 49, 68 million Euros continues and negotiating parties agreed negotiations implementation schedule. In accordance with planned dynamics, it is envisaged that by Tuesday, 3rd November, that all stakeholders agree the set of documents relating to obligations to employees, servicing of liabilities to CKB / OTP, liabilities of KAP to Montenegro bonus, or Montenegro bonus to CKB / OTP. In accordance with agreed terms, we expect that the Credit Committee of OTP Bank will approve the document, after which the documents will be forwarded to the Government of Montenegro for review... More

I’m pleased to see the results of this training which lasted for five days, providing training and knowledge to fifty public administration employees, hoping that by implementing this newly acquired knowledge, they will succeed in improving, not only the indicators of the World Bank, but also the environment, which we believe will provide new incentives for investors, new jobs and possibly open new opportunities for a better living standard for the majority of citizens in Montenegro. It is important to emphasize the importance of this event, being for the first time organized in the region and we are for being given this opportunity, dealing recently with this issue launching our country on the list of top reformers in the region. We are appreciating the fact that we have the possibility and the opportunity to acquire new knowledge, and to develop a new knowledge data base and new capacities in this hard orientation to eliminate business barriers, hoping that this will assist us in becoming top reformers even next year, being recognized not only in the region but worldwide... More