Press release from the 18th Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet held its 18th session today, chaired by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

The Cabinet adopted the Decree on the implementation and procedure for the use of funds from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance of the European Union (IPARD III Programme). This decree governs the implementation and procedure for the use of financial support for the implementation of rural development measures from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance of the European Union (IPA) for "Investments in physical assets of agricultural holdings" (Measure 1), "Investments in physical assets concerning processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products" (Measure 3), and "Farm diversification and business development" (Measure 7) - sub-measure 7.1 "Support of investments for development of rural tourism," sub-measure 7.2 "Support of investments for on farm processing," and sub-measure 7.3 "Support of investments for improvement of crafts," in line with the Programme for the development of agriculture and rural areas in Montenegro within IPARD III 2021-2027. It is envisaged that out of the total of 81,975,947 euros allocated as non-repayable support to agricultural producers, the EU contribution amounts to 63 million euros (75% of public support), while the national contribution (Montenegro's contribution) is in the amount of 18,975,947 euros (25% of public support). The Decree enables the withdrawal of financial resources from pre-accession funds to support Montenegrin agricultural producers living in rural areas, aiming to achieve standards, economic, social, and territorial development, smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth through the development of physical assests and in response to challenges arising from climate change by promoting energy efficiency from renewable energy sources.

The Cabinet adopted the Information regarding the status of individuals from Ukraine under temporary protection in Montenegro and adopted a Decision amending the Decision on granting temporary protection to individuals from Ukraine. In this regard, the Ministry of the Interior was tasked with providing the necessary accommodation capacities for the appropriate accommodation of foreigners under temporary protection, as well as necessary assistance and basic means for living. The Decision extends temporary protection until 11 March 2025 for citizens of Ukraine, stateless persons whose last place of residence was in Ukraine, individuals to whom Ukraine has granted international protection and cannot return to Ukraine due to armed conflicts, as well as citizens of Ukraine who have legally resided in Montenegro and cannot return to Ukraine due to armed conflicts and have been granted temporary protection from 11 March 2023 to 11 March 2024, provided that two years have not elapsed since the granting of temporary protection.

The Cabinet adopted a Decision amending the Decision on the establishment of the Working Group for coordinating activities within the framework of the Berlin Process. Given the intensification of activities within the Berlin Process, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, and taking into account personnel and organisational changes in the Working Group for coordinating activities within this initiative following the election of the 44th Government of Montenegro, as well as the previous practice of preparatory activities ahead of ministerial meetings and Summit, it was necessary to make changes to the existing composition for further coordination and functionality of this team. In line with previous practice, the national coordinator for the Berlin Process (Sherpas), appointed from the ranks of the adviser to the Prime Minister of Montenegro, coordinates the work of the Working Group, together with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of European Affairs as deputy coordinators.

The Information on the signing of the Agreement with the Union of Education of Montenegro has been adopted, and the text of the Agreement has been accepted. According to the Agreement, when drafting the systemic Law on salaries of employees in the public sector, which the Government will propose to the Parliament of Montenegro for adoption no later than the end of the second quarter of 2024, coefficients for employees in education specified in the Branch Collective Agreement for the field of education for the year 2024 will be recognised in the said law. Until the law is enacted, as a guarantee of the application of coefficients, the Government and the Union will proceed with amendments to the Branch Collective Agreement for the field of education in a way that the complexity coefficients from that Agreement for the year 2024 will begin to be applied from 1 July 2024 and the complexity coefficients determined for the year 2025 will be deleted. Additionally, to further improve the status of employees in the field of education, the Government and the Union have agreed that, in addition to the mentioned increase, as of 1 September 2024, salaries will be increased in a way that the cumulative increase in net salary will amount to at least 17% compared to the salary amount determined on the day of concluding the Agreement.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the sale of surplus weapons and military equipment in the Armed Forces of Montenegro. This Information covers data for the period from 30 June 2023 to 31 December 2023, as well as aggregate data on the total amount of weapons and military equipment sold from June 2006 to December 2023.

The Information on the destruction of surplus weapons and military equipment in the Armed Forces of Montenegro has also been adopted. This Information covers data for the period from 30 June 2023 to 31 December 2023, as well as aggregate data on the destruction of surplus weapons and military equipment for the period from June 2006 to December 2023.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the signing of the Note regarding the accession of the Ministry of Defence to participate in the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the establishment, operation, personnel, financing, management, and support to the Headquarters Multinational Division Southeast (HQ MND-SE), and accepted the text of the Note. The aim of joining this Memorandum is to enable the deployment of officers from the Armed Forces of Montenegro to work in the Headquarters Multinational Division Southeast (HQ MND-SE). It is a military body under the operational command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, established in 2015, and reached full operational capability in 2016. The Headquarters enjoys the status of an international military headquarters and, as such, represents part of the NATO force structure. Romania acts as the framework nation, and the staff of the Headquarters Multinational Division Southeast consists of military personnel from 15 NATO member states. By sending members of the Armed Forces to work in the Headquarters, Montenegro would reaffirm its commitment to NATO efforts and a responsible approach to the obligations arising from NATO membership. The objectives are fully aligned with strategic documents and are based on Montenegro's obligations arising from NATO membership.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the signing of the Agreement on coordination in planning, notification, reporting, identification, and securing flights of civilian and military aircraft, and accepted the text of the Agreement. The main goal of signing the Agreement is to define the common obligations of the contracting parties (coordination between the Ministry of Defence and SMATSA in the process of planning, notification, reporting, identification, and securing flights of civilian and military aircraft).

For full press release in Montenegrin please click here.