Press release from the 124th Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet held its 124th session, chaired by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on the Use of Physical Infrastructure for the Deployment of Very High-Capacity Electronic Communications Networks, with the aim of aligning national legislation with the EU acquis. The current Law on the Use of Physical Infrastructure for the Deployment of High-Speed Electronic Communications Networks is based on Directive 2014/61/EU, which has been repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2024/1309 on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit networks (Gigabit Infrastructure Act). The new law prescribes the manner of using physical infrastructure for the deployment of high-speed electronic communications networks, including shared use and coordinated construction of physical infrastructure to reduce costs, as well as other issues relevant to the use of such infrastructure. The adoption of this regulation will enable the achievement of high standards in digital connectivity and competitiveness.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law ratifying the Protocol between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of Ukraine amending the Free Trade Agreement between the two governments, concerning the replacement of Annex II – rules of origin and methods of administrative cooperation. The proposed law will improve the normative framework for achieving the main objective – increasing the efficiency of rules of origin, thereby strengthening Montenegro’s competitive position through the implementation of improved rules and facilitating cross-border trade. Its adoption ensures alignment with international standards, while taking into account best international practices in this field. Given that the current Agreement with Ukraine does not contain a link to the Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin (PEM Convention), and that bilateral preferential rules of origin are currently applied, the objective was to establish a connection with the Convention, which entered into force for both parties after the signing of the Agreement. The EU-proposed model for all Contracting Parties to the Convention was used as a basis and adapted to the existing Agreement with Ukraine.

The Cabinet adopted a Memorandum of Cooperation for the implementation of the project Adaptation of sports facilities in educational institutions. The aim of the Memorandum is joint cooperation on the adaptation of sports facilities in three educational institutions: Primary School “Luka Simonović” in Nikšić – volleyball and basketball courts; Primary School “Vuk Karadžić” in Podgorica – one integrated large sports field; and Primary School “Radojica Perović” in Podgorica – a large handball court and a basketball court. It was noted during the discussion that investing in school sports infrastructure is an investment in children’s health and proper development, as modern sports facilities encourage physical activity and contribute to the prevention of numerous health issues. Improved working conditions ensure equal access to physical education for all students, regardless of their abilities, thereby strengthening inclusion and cohesion.

The Cabinet adopted the Opinion on the Draft Law amending the Law on Tax Advisors, submitted to the Parliament of Montenegro by MP Tonći Janović. The proposed amendments introduce an exception to the obligation of tax advisors to provide the tax authority with information entrusted to them by a client or obtained in another way in the course of their work, for the purposes of taxation and exchange of information with the competent authority of an EU Member State or another state or territory. The exception stipulates that tax advisors are not required to provide information related to confidential communications arising for the purpose of seeking or providing legal advice or for use in existing or planned legal proceedings. The draft law also sets a deadline of 20 days from the date of receiving the request within which tax advisors are required to submit the requested information. The proposed legal solution is fully aligned with OECD recommendations regarding the regulatory framework governing tax advisory services and will result in a higher level of implementation of standards for exchange of information upon request by Montenegro.

The Cabinet adopted the Opinion on the Draft Law amending the Law on Climate Change, submitted to the Parliament of Montenegro by MP Dejan Đurović. The reasons for adopting this legislative solution lie in the need for further alignment of national legislation with the EU acquis in the field of climate policy, as well as in fulfilling the recommendations and comments of the European Commission in the course of Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations, within Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The proposed amendments further specify the national climate neutrality target, stipulating that total greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors must be balanced by greenhouse gas removals no later than 2050, thereby confirming Montenegro’s strategic commitment to contributing to climate neutrality goals in line with EU policies. Additionally, the amendments improve the regulatory framework for monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, including the content and preparation of monitoring plans, emission monitoring methodologies, and verification and accreditation procedures for verifiers.