Press release from the 76th Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet held its 76th session today, chaired by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. The Cabinet adopted amendments to the Draft Law on Free Access to Information. The proposed 20 amendments aim to simplify access to information in cases where requests are submitted electronically and the competent authority agrees to grant the request, provided that the applicant does not insist on a formal decision. To align the Draft Law on Free Access to Information with the Directive on the Re-use of Public Sector Information from 2003 (Directive 2003/98/EC) and its amendments from 2013 (Directive 2013/37/EU), the amendments also address issues related to the re-use of information from public enterprises, research organizations, and institutions that fund research. They regulate licenses for re-use as well as exclusive rights in the re-use process. The proposed solution promotes efficiency by enabling data to be published on the existing open data portal, thus meeting the Directive’s principle that public sector content available under national legislation should be free of charge. This facilitates access to real-time, open-format data and supports small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in entering new markets by using this data in the development of products and services. Furthermore, the amendments aim to align the Draft Law with the EU acquis, particularly the Aarhus Convention, by regulating the area of environmental protection and information. Montenegro has already largely harmonized its legal framework with the Aarhus Convention through the Law on the Environment, which defines environmental information and mandates proactive and request-based disclosure. In addition to harmonization with the EU acquis, the amendments consider other international standards, including Council of Europe documents and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. With regard to the Tromsø Convention (Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents), the amendments align with the Convention’s requirement to minimize formalities in accessing information.

The Cabinet adopted the Decree on amendments to the Decree on the conditions and criteria for publishing the list of tax debtors. To uphold the principle of equality, the proposed decree mandates the tax authority to publish quarterly lists of the top 200 taxpayers with the highest outstanding tax debt across all tax types, as recorded on the date of the list’s preparation, and who have not met their obligations within the legally prescribed deadlines. It also mandates a list of the top 100 taxpayers against whom bankruptcy proceedings have been initiated. The implementation of this decree is expected to improve the existing system, strengthen tax discipline, and positively impact the overall fiscal, financial, and macroeconomic stability of the country.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the urgent need to resolve the current liquidity crisis of the joint stock company Crnogorska plovidba – Kotor. Montenegro’s maritime sector is facing significant challenges that require strategic planning and adaptation to market conditions in order to ensure long-term sustainability. As highlighted during the session, the state-owned maritime companies – Barska plovidba from Bar and Crnogorska plovidba from Kotor – play a key role in maintaining maritime infrastructure, employing seafarers, and connecting the country to global markets. An analysis by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs concluded that Crnogorska plovidba is over-indebted and illiquid, and unable to meet its financial obligations. The company owes the Government of Montenegro €36.2 million. In January 2025, an overdraft debt of approximately €400,000 to Prva Banka also became due. Failure to settle this debt promptly could result in enforced collection and account blockage, leading to bankruptcy. To avoid bankruptcy of this 100% state-owned company, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs proposed a temporary solution to address Crnogorska plovidba’s liquidity crisis. The plan involves a business-technical cooperation model whereby Barska plovidba would lease ships owned by Crnogorska plovidba. In return, Barska plovidba will make advance and successive payments to Crnogorska plovidba during 2025—up to €1 million—to cover the overdraft repayment to Prva Banka, salary payments, and other operational expenses. This measure will prevent the account blockage and potential bankruptcy. At the same time, Barska plovidba would expand its capacity to secure long-term leasing contracts, generating higher revenues. It would also improve its ability to meet credit obligations to Exim Bank and develop its capacity to repay its own debt to the state.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro and the Moroccan Academy for Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco, along with the draft memorandum. The memorandum aims to establish and enhance cooperation between the two diplomatic academies through activities based on reciprocity and mutual interest. It will be concluded for an initial period of three years and automatically renewed annually unless terminated by either party with written notice at least three months before expiration. The memorandum includes joint training and exchanges—such as courses in diplomacy and international relations for diplomats of both parties, internship programmes for young diplomats, and exchanges of knowledge and resources, including publications, media content, documentation, and experts or researchers in the field of diplomacy. It also encompasses joint activities such as alternating hosting of conferences and other forms of cooperation as agreed through joint consultations.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the need to co-finance the work of the Anti-Doping Commission. The Ministry of Sports and Youth was tasked with reallocating €150,000 to the Commission’s bank account to ensure continuity of its operations and completion of ongoing activities related to international and domestic obligations in the field of anti-doping. The Anti-Doping Commission plays a crucial role in protecting the integrity of sports in Montenegro by monitoring athletes for the potential use of banned substances. This obligation stems from the International Convention against Doping in Sport and the World Anti-Doping Code. Montenegro is a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, which oversees compliance with these obligations. Failure to meet these obligations may result in sanctions, including bans on athlete participation in international competitions.