Press release from 19th Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at its 19th session held on 8 April 2021, chaired by Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Information Security. The aim of the proposed changes is to harmonize the law with the Law on Classified Information, which prescribes the competence of the organisational unit of the administrative body responsible for the protection of classified information (CIRT) to coordinate the prevention and protection against computer security incidents on the Internet and other security risks of information systems, as well as the measures taken by CIRT. Amendments to the Law on Information Security will provide full protection against computer security incidents on the Internet and other security risks of information systems of bodies and legal and natural persons recognised by the provisions of the Law, which will contribute to strengthening information security.

The Decision on determining the list of bodies responsible for inspection supervision over the implementation of laws containing provisions on consumer protection was adopted. The new Decision establishes a more comprehensive list of competent authorities, which now, in addition to inspection bodies, includes independent organisations and independent legal entities from the financial services, telecommunications, energy, media, air transport and utility sectors. The discussion emphasised the readiness of all entities to take all necessary measures available to ensure effective consumer protection and market competition such as that in the EU internal market.

The Cabinet adopted the Decision on the publication of the Agreement between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of Montenegro on the settlement of the debt of Montenegro to the Slovak Republic. Montenegro's debt to the Slovak Republic arose during the period of validity of the clearing payment method in trade in goods and services between the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Czechoslovak Federative Republic. In order to reduce the debt on the basis of succession, and also to maintain high-quality bilateral relations, Montenegro settled the debt to the Czech Republic in 2019. In the same way, it is planned to regulate the debt to the Slovak Republic, by signing an agreement based on which, after the entry into force, the debt in the amount of about 0.6 million US dollars will be settled.  

The Information regarding the termination of the Concession Agreement based on the energy permit for the construction of a small hydroelectric power plant "Bare Kraljske" on the part of the Vranještica watercourse was adopted. In this context, the Cabinet accepted the Agreement on the termination of the Concession Agreement, which was agreed with the concessionaire, the company "PM Hydro" LLC. Upon termination of the Concession Agreement, in accordance with this Agreement, both parties shall, in accordance with the law governing the registration of real estate, delete the record of the Concession Agreement on the relevant real estate. The Contracting Parties, inter alia, expressly waive all possible mutual claims arising, or which may arise, in conection with the Contract, including claims for damages, both actual damages and lost profits.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on activities on the establishment of an organised day-ahead electricity market in Montenegro. In order to implement the obligations in the field of energy, within the Berlin Process, which are fully harmonized with the obligations of transposing the legislation of the European Union into national legislation, the company Berza električne energije LLC (BELEN) was established in August 2017. The Information states that, in order to create preconditions for the completion of activities on the establishment of a functional day-ahead market in Montenegro and its connection with neighbouring markets, taking into account the extremely low initial capital with which this project was entered, it is necessary to provide funds to cover investment costs, as well as operating costs in the first year of implementation and the first year of operational work until self-sustainability is achieved. On that occasion, the government representatives in Montenegrin Electricity Transmission System (CGES) and Electric Power Industry of Montenegro (EPCG) are in charge of initiating activities on recapitalization of the limited liability company Berza elektricne energije, in the amount of EUR 210,000.00 each, which will create preconditions for successful completion of activities on the establishment of a functional electricity market in Montenegro and its connection with neighbouring markets.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on Supplement 2 to the Agreement on the implementation of the technical support project "TA-MONTENEGRO/No. 351ʺ within the Interreg IPA cross-border cooperation programme Italy - Albania - Montenegro 2014-2020 and accepted the text of the Amendment to the Agreement.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the First report on findings prepared by the audit company "Crowe MNE" LLC regarding the implementation of the project Construction of the hotel "K16" in Kolašin. The project for the construction of the hotel "K16" of the Consortium "Kolašin 1600", which consists of Ski Resort Kolašin 1600 and the company "Gener2 SHPK" is included in the List of development projects in the field of tourism within the "economic citizenship programme". In the Report, based on the insight into the business books and obtained documentation, the independent auditor stated that the Consortium spent a gross amount of EUR 1,249,214.76 for the purpose of project implementation in the period from 23 April to 23 October 2020. At the same time, the auditor stated that the data submitted by the Company in the financial statement, with an overview of costs, show the true and objective actual state of investments for the reported period.

The Information on the Second report on findings prepared by the auditing company "Crowe MNE" LLC regarding the implementation of the project Construction of the hotel "Breza" in Kolašin was also adopted. In the Report for the period from 7 May to 7 November 2020, the independent auditor stated that the investor, the company "CG Resort", for the implementation of the project, which is included in the List of development projects in the field of tourism under the "economic citizenship programme", spent the total gross amount of EUR 2,658,484.00.

The Cabinet adopted the Rulebook on Internal Organisation and Systematisation of the Secretariat-General of the Government of Montenegro.

The Cabinet adopted the Proposal for amending the Cabinet Conclusions, number: 04-951 / 2, dated 4 March 2021, from the session of 25 February 2021, which approves the payment of subsidies for March salaries of employees on paid parental leave in 15 municipalities.