Press release from the 125th Cabinet session

At its 125th session held today and chaired by Prime Minister Mr Milojko Spajić, the Government determined the Proposal for the Law on Amendments to the Law on Construction of Structures, with the aim of harmonising national legislation with the acquis communautaire of the European Union.

During the discussion, it was emphasised that the construction sector represents a key economic activity with a significant impact on overall economic development, infrastructure improvement and the quality of life of citizens. Improving this area aims to ensure the safety of structures, efficient use of space, as well as compliance with modern technical, environmental and urban planning standards. The adoption of this Law will contribute to creating a more favourable investment environment, reducing administrative barriers and accelerating project implementation, particularly in the field of renewable energy sources, thereby encouraging sustainable economic development and fulfilment of Montenegro’s international obligations in the process of European integration.

The Government also determined the Proposal for the Law on Amendments to the Law on Spatial Planning.

As a Contracting Party to the Energy Community, Montenegro is obliged to progressively align its legislation with the European Union acquis in the field of energy and climate policy. The adoption of this Law creates additional normative conditions, aligned with Directive (EU) 2023/2413 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED III), for the accelerated development of renewable energy sources. The transposition of Articles 15 and 16 of RED III represents the final benchmark for the closure of Chapter 15 for Montenegro.

The Government determined the Proposal for the Law on Animal Health, together with the Report on the Public Consultation. It was noted during the discussion that, as a result of the harmonisation of the text with the European Commission and competent authorities, certain amendments were made to the draft law previously adopted by the Government at its session of 26 March 2026. For this reason, the Government adopted an updated version of the law incorporating all comments, suggestions and recommendations of the European Commission and competent authorities.

The adoption of the Law on Animal Health stems from the need to modernise the existing regulatory framework in the field of animal health, align it with European regulations, protect domestic agricultural production and fulfil Montenegro’s pre-accession obligations as a candidate country for membership in the European Union, as a prerequisite for closing Chapter 12 – Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy.

The new law provides the basis for establishing a modern and sustainable animal health management system founded on risk assessment, biosecurity and scientific principles. This law applies to animal diseases transmissible from animal to animal or from animals to humans, including diseases affecting kept animals, wild animals, reproductive material and certain products of animal origin.

It was highlighted during the discussion that the Law on Animal Health and the by-laws adopted pursuant to this law will replace the entire existing national legislation governing the prevention, eradication and control of animal diseases, registration, identification and traceability of animals and products of animal origin, trade in animals and products of animal origin, and non-commercial movement of pets, which had previously been regulated by the provisions of the Law on Veterinary Matters and the Law on Identification and Registration of Animals, as well as by the rulebooks adopted under these laws.

The Government adopted the Decision on the Establishment of the Coordination Body for the Implementation of the Reform of the Institute of Deprivation of Legal Capacity. It was stressed during the discussion that the tasks of the Coordination Body include, inter alia  : analysing the existing situation and regulatory framework, identifying systemic shortcomings, proposing measures for the gradual abandonment of the institute of full deprivation of legal capacity and introduction of supported decision-making models, coordinating the activities of competent authorities, monitoring the implementation of the reform, as well as conducting public consultations and cooperation with international organisations.

The establishment of this body represents an important step towards harmonising national legislation and practice with international standards and improving the protection of human rights, particularly the rights of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

The Government adopted the Decision on the Publication of the Headquarters Agreement between Montenegro and the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), signed on 10 March 2026 in Podgorica.

The Government adopted the Decision on the Establishment of the Commission for Regulating Relations with the Republic of Croatia Regarding the Status of the Training Ship “Jadran” as a Cultural and Historical Symbol of the State of Montenegro.

By establishing this Commission, the Government of Montenegro demonstrates its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Croatia and its intention to continuously improve good neighbourly relations. Dialogue and exchange of views with neighbours and allies are of essential importance, and in this spirit the tasks of the Commission are focused on preparing opinions and proposals for the Government concerning issues related to relations with the Republic of Croatia regarding the status of the training ship “Jadran” as a cultural-historical and military symbol of the State of Montenegro, including matters relating to strategic discussions with the Republic of Croatia, active dialogue with the Croatian side on the issue in question, and cooperation with competent bodies, scientific and professional institutions and individuals in analysing and reviewing existing documentation, as well as initiating the preparation of additional analytical and documentary materials necessary for the work of the Commission.

The Government adopted the 2026 Programme of Incentive Measures in the Field of Tourism, which defines: measures to be implemented; beneficiaries of support funds; conditions and amounts for the allocation of funds; as well as criteria and procedures for the allocation of funds aimed at creating conditions for the further development of a high-quality, year-round and diversified tourism product, in line with strategic documents.

The Programme seeks to enhance the competitiveness of the tourism product, increase the attractiveness of the destination through improved marketing activities and better accessibility of Montenegro from a greater number of emitting markets, with the aim of generating higher tourism revenues, extending the tourist season, increasing accommodation occupancy rates, consumption and employment.

The Programme includes seven support measures, namely:

• Measure I – Support for the organisation of events/festivals;
• Measure II – Improvement of the offer and enhancement of service quality in rural tourism;
• Measure III – Improvement of the quality of the tourism offer;
• Measure IV – Support for the development of smart and sustainable tourist destinations through digital and innovative solutions;
• Measure V – Support for the development of MICE tourism;
• Measure VI – Partnership with tour operators and travel agencies in promoting Montenegro as a tourist destination;
• Measure VII – Support for improving organised air arrivals through joint marketing campaigns with tour operators.

Funds for the incentive measures shall be allocated through public calls implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro, amounting to EUR 1,350,000.

The Government adopted the Information on the status of the loan arrangement financed from the resources of the Abu Dhabi Fund (ADFD). In order to resolve issues related to the loan arrangement and settle obligations towards the Abu Dhabi Fund, the Government tasked the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management with establishing an interdepartmental working group composed of representatives of the Development Bank of Montenegro, the Central Bank of Montenegro, the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, the Commercial Court, the Protector of Property and Legal Interests of Montenegro, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. The working group will propose a model for resolving issues arising from delays in loan repayments.

The Government adopted the Information on granting approval for initiating a special recruitment procedure within the Police Directorate for the filling of 500 positions in the rank of junior police officer, based on a public call.

The Government adopted the Roadmap for the transposition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) in Montenegro, as well as for the adoption of the National Building Renovation Plan.

The Roadmap, which constitutes a condition for the closure of negotiating Chapter 15 – Energy, defines the key steps Montenegro needs to undertake in order to align with the EPBD and EED directives, including amendments to legislation, adoption of secondary legislation and adoption of the National Building Renovation Plan by the end of 2027.

The document envisages the gradual introduction of zero-emission building standards, the establishment of minimum energy performance standards, as well as measures aimed at reducing energy poverty and decarbonising the building sector. Furthermore, the Roadmap defines the institutional framework, responsibilities and deadlines for the implementation of planned activities, along with the obligation of regular reporting and monitoring of progress.

The Government adopted the Information on the establishment of the Coordination Body for the preparation and implementation of the National and Regional Partnership Plan within Chapter 22.

Within the framework of the European Union accession negotiations under Chapter 22 – Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments, Montenegro is establishing the institutional and programming framework for the utilisation of European Union funds after accession. In this context, the establishment of a coordination mechanism represents an important step in preparing the system for planning, programming and managing EU funds following accession.

Montenegro already possesses significant institutional capacities acquired through the implementation of the European Union pre-accession funds, including the IPA I (2007–2013), IPA II (2014–2020) and IPA III (2021–2027) programmes, as well as through the implementation of the Reform Agenda within the framework of the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.

In July 2025, the European Commission presented a proposal for a new legislative framework and the European Union Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028–2034, introducing certain changes to the system of planning and utilisation of EU funds. In line with this framework, Member States will prepare a National and Regional Partnership Plan as the key strategic document defining development priorities and the framework for the utilisation of European Union funds.

The National and Regional Partnership Plan constitutes the basis for programming and utilisation of European Union funds and includes the definition of development challenges, identification of development needs, determination of financing priorities, as well as the establishment of the institutional framework for the management of EU funds.