The 53rd Cabinet session – 29 December 2021

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at its 53rd session held on 29 December 2021, chaired by Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, adopted the Draft Law on the Census of Population, Households and Dwellings with the Report on the Conducted Public Debate. The adoption of this Law will enable the preparation, organisation and implementation of the census, in order to obtain comprehensive data on the population, households and dwellings in Montenegro. The proposed provisions clearly regulate the competencies, rights and obligations of the Statistical Office, ministries, local self-government units and other bodies and organisations related to the preparation and implementation of the Census of Population. Also, this Law regulates the rights and obligations of persons covered by the Census and persons who directly perform Census activities, the manner and scope of collecting, using and protecting the collected data and publishing the results of the Census.

The Draft Customs Law with the report of the public debate was adopted. This Law defines the legal framework for customs rules and procedures in the customs territory of Montenegro and is adapted to the conditions of modern trade. Its application will facilitate the flow of goods transiting and entering or leaving Montenegro, which will improve the competitiveness of domestic companies, protect the financial interests of the State and ensure consumer safety. The harmonisation of the Law with the European legislation creates preconditions for development and implementation of IT systems that should facilitate and accelerate cross-border trade and reduce the costs of trade participants.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Payment System Law with the Report on the Conducted Public Debate. This Law creates preconditions for further development of payment system operations in Montenegro in accordance with modern standards in the EU and the world. The proposed amendments introduce, among other things, two new payment services based on online solutions, enable licensing of new service providers, shorten the time of payment order processing, increase the choice of payment tools, at lower costs. Also, the new Law will establish additional measures to reduce security risks associated with electronic payments and improve the protection of payment service users.

The Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Inspection Supervision was adopted.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Free Access to Information. The adoption of this Law will enable more efficient exercise of the right to free access to information while reducing costs for users and create an effective instrument for exercising the right of citizens to access information held by public authorities. On the other hand, the amendments will contribute to a more transparent work of government bodies, encouraging efficiency, accountability and affirmation of the integrity and legitimacy of public authorities.

The Cabinet adopted the Thirty-first quarterly report on overall activities within the process of Montenegro's integration in the European Union for the period July-September 2021, which will be submitted to the Committee on European Integration of the Parliament of Montenegro for discussion.

The roadmaps for meeting the final benchmarks for the provisional closure of negotiations in Chapter 6 - Commercial Law, Chapter 10 - Information Society and Media and Chapter 19 - Social Policy and Employment were adopted.

The Cabinet adopted the Decision on the proclamation of the protected area of the Nature Park "Stari Ulcinj".

Pursuant to the Decree on activities and greenhouse gases for which a permit for greenhouse gas emissions is issued, the Cabinet adopted the Decision on the establishment of the Commission for conducting a public auction for granting emission credits.

The Cabinet adopted the Strategy for the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism, Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism for the period 2022-2025, with the Action Plan for 2022-2023. The strategy comprehensively presents the national policy in the field of prevention and suppression of terrorism, money laundering and terrorist financing, defines the framework for action to improve existing and develop new measures, mechanisms and instruments aimed at preserving stability and security of Montenegro. By drafting this document, Montenegro wants to point out that the prevention and suppression of terrorism, money laundering and terrorist financing is not an issue that should be addressed only by military, police and intelligence services, but an issue that should strengthen the culture of peaceful dialogue and interreligious and intercultural tolerance. The vision of the new strategic document is reflected in the need to protect the citizens and values of Montenegro from the threat of terrorism, money laundering and terrorist financing. The strategic goal defined in this document includes the application of international standards, respect for human rights and the promotion of national and international cooperation in order for Montenegro to build a coordinated and efficient system for preventing and combating terrorism, money laundering and terrorist financing. The accompanying two-year action plan defines the measures and activities necessary for the realisation of the strategic goal, as well as clearly assigned competencies for all bodies that will implement the planned activities. The total amount of planned funds for the implementation of the planned activities is 3,688,800.00 euros (1,518,800.00 euros from the budget and 2,170,000.00 euros from donations).

The Cyber Security Strategy of Montenegro 2022-2026 and the Action Plan for the period 2022-2023 were adopted. Raising the level of cyber security at the national level is a kind of pledge for the future, because secure cyberspace remains an important prerequisite for creating a stimulating environment for continuous economic development, digital transformation and the provision of public services. Cyber Security Strategy of Montenegro 2022-2026 is an inter-ministerial document related to the five-year strategic period and is aimed at improving the overall capacity (legislative, operational, human, financial and technical) to adequately respond to challenges and threats coming from cyberspace in and outside Montenegro. The Strategy aims to ensure that Montenegro in the field of cyber security has a sustainable system for effective detection and defence against complex cyber attacks vectors and threats. It is also planned to establish a new body - the Agency for Cyber Security in order to achieve the centraliwation of cyber expertise, reduce the outflow of professional staff, enable a more efficient response to cyber attacks and protect critical information infrastructure.

The Cabinet adopted the National Employment Strategy 2021-2025 with the Employment Action Plan for 2021 and the Report on the conducted public debate and adopted the Employment Action Plan for 2022.

The Strategy for the Development of the National Brand 2022-2026 with the Action Plan for 2022 and the Report on the Conducted Public Debate was adopted. The national brand is a means by which Montenegro wants to increase the attractiveness of the state as a place for foreign investment, tourism, business and the like. The goal of building a national brand is to create country's positive image that encourages competitiveness and better positioning in foreign markets. In addition to creating incentives for investment in strategic sectors of the economy, building a brand includes positioning domestic products on foreign markets, which increases exports and demand for products from a particular country.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the Procedure for Drafting the Law on Amendments to the Law on Confiscation of Proceeds from Crime. It was assessed that the reform of the system of confiscation of proceeds of crime, which would introduce a model of confiscation without a previous criminal conviction, is not only necessary, but is an integral part of the new concept at the EU level. In that context, the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights is in charge of submitting the text of the Draft to the competent authorities for an opinion as soon as possible, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Government of Montenegro.

The Information on the status of activities on the development of the Spatial Plan of Montenegro was adopted.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the project of construction of HPP Buk Bijela, Foča, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina from the aspect of environmental protection in accordance with the UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context - Espoo. The Information states that proceedings were initiated before the Convention's Implementation Committee regarding this project. Also, bilateral consultations were initiated with the competent body of Republika Srpska, BiH, in order to define activities for resolving open issues. In order to more efficiently resolve the issue, it was agreed to form an expert team, whose task will be to review the available project documentation, structure and planned operation of the hydroelectric power plant "Buk Bijela", and to harmonise the altitude of the overflow point, i.e. the maximum upper elevation to which a future artificial lake can grow.

The Information on the status of planning documentation required for the implementation of projects for the construction of a solar power plant at the Briska Gora site and a wind farm at the Brajići site was adopted. On that occasion, the line ministry is in charge of intensifying activities on the development of planning documentation, in order to create planning preconditions for the implementation of these projects.

The Information on cooperation with neighbouring countries was adopted. The Information states that Montenegro is guided by the principle of "zero problem" in relations with its neighbours and thus contributes to the opening of a new chapter in relations in the region. Strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries is one of the key conditions for achieving long-term stability and a European perspective, which opens new opportunities for the prosperity of all Western Balkan countries. Montenegro also contributes to regional cooperation by participating in more than 30 regional initiatives.

The National Consumer Protection Programme 2022-2024 and the Action Plan for 2022 were adopted, as well as the Final Report on the Implementation of the National Consumer Protection Programme 2019-2021. The discussion emphasised that the goal of adopting this programme is to strengthen the consumer protection system at all levels and its further improvement, in accordance with EU standards and good practice, and to continue meeting the set goals when it comes to consumer protection policy in accordance with the Consumer Protection Law and relevant laws and strategic documents.

The Cabinet adopted Guidelines for the revitalisation and development of the processing industry in Montenegro.

The Operational Programme for the Implementation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2024 with the Action Plan 2021-2022 was adopted. The Action Plan for the period 2021-2022 plans 12 operational objectives and 65 activities. 73,510,932.74 euros have been allocated for the implementation of the Plan.

The Cabinet adopted the Programme for the Prevention of Harmful Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Induced Disorders in Montenegro for the period 2022-2024 with the Action Plan for 2022-2023. 

The Cabinet adopted the Information on activities on the implementation of the regional project for establishing the South East European International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST) - "Hadron Cancer Therapy and Biomedical Research with Protons and Heavy Ions".

The Decision on the prohibition of storage of tobacco products on the territory of the Free Zone "Port of Bar" was adopted. Application of the previous Decision, which entered into force on 31 July 2021 affected the reduction of the quantities of tobacco products stored in the Free Zone "Port of Bar". However, it was stated that storage is still provided, because users whose contracts for performing activities in the Free Zone "Port of Bar" expire can transfer the goods - tobacco products to other users of the Free Zone whose contracts are valid. Having in mind the operational findings of the competent authorities and international partners that indicate the repeated disappearance of goods from the Free Zone, as well as difficult implementation of customs control measures over the movement of tobacco products in the zone, the draft decision is aimed at stopping illegal activities that damage both the Budget and the international reputation of Montenegro. The new Decision obliges the customs authority to issue a decision in accordance with Article 172 paragraph 3 of the Customs Law, which stipulates that the customs office may impose certain prohibitive measures or restrictions on activities carried out in the free zone, taking into account the type of goods or required customs control measures.

The Cabinet adopted an updated Single List of Priority Infrastructure Projects, which contains a total of 152 projects with an estimated value of 6.3 billion euros.