The 66th Cabinet session – 14 March 2022

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at its 66th session held on 14 April 2022, chaired by Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, adopted the Annex I to the 2022 European Commission Progress Report on Montenegro, which refers to the period from 15 June 2021 to 20 March 2022. In accordance with the established practice, Montenegro at least twice a year formally informs the European Commission about the overall activities implemented in this field.

As part of the process of harmonisation of domestic legislation with EU regulations, the Cabinet adopted Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Technical Requirements for Products and Conformity Assessment. These amendments supplement the terminology that is partially harmonised in the basic text of the Law and introduce the so-called "multilateral clause" which allows products delivered to the common market of the EU, the Republic of Turkey and the signatory countries of the EFTA Agreement to be delivered on the market of Montenegro without additional restrictions. It was stated that the adoption of the Law completes the entire framework of technical requirements for the production of industrial products and placing only safe products on the market.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the level of implementation of the Unified Electronic Data Exchange System (JSERP).

The Programme of Incentive Measures in the Field of Tourism for 2022 was adopted, which allocated 400,000 euros through four support measures. The goal of the adopted Programme is to enrich and improve the quality of the tourist offer while improving marketing activities in order to attract tourists from new markets, aimed at generating higher revenues in tourism, extending the tourist season, increasing occupancy, consumption and employment.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on Settlement of Obligations of the Government of Montenegro towards the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the basis of a state guarantee issued for a credit arrangement concluded between Public Enterprise for Regional Water Supply "Regionalni vodovod Crnogorsko primorje" and EBRD for the Regional Water Supply Project. Bearing in mind that the Regional Water Supply, due to the current illiquidity of the Company, is unable to meet its obligations towards the EBRD, the Cabinet approved a loan from the budget for this purpose, which will be repaid to the State during the year. In this context, the Cabinet accepted the Request for payment under the Guarantee Agreements related to the Regional Water Supply Project, in the amount of EUR 500,000, as well as all additional interest and commission costs to be calculated subsequently from the due date to the payment date.

The Information on initiating the procedure for the selection of the supplier of last resort for electricity and vulnerable customers for the period 2023-2025 was adopted.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the engagement of a certified appraisal professional to prepare a report on the appraised value of the assets of Montenegro Bonus Llt Cetinje.

The Information on organising the "Wonder Con" festival was adopted. It was emphasised that the organisation of the "Wonder Con" festival, which is a combination of comics and gaming festival, represents an opportunity for Montenegro to have a unique thematic event and develop a recognisable product with a tendency to become a traditional event and a brand. The Festival is scheduled for September 2022 in Bemax arena, lasting five days, and it is expected that the Festival could be visited by a minimum of 20,000 visitors. The estimated cost of organising the festival is more than 300,000 euros, given the high prices of purchasing and delivering licensed exhibits. The Festival will feature several of the world's most expensive film franchises, which have generated multi-million revenues. On that occasion, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Economic Development to prepare a Strategic Partnership Agreement for the organisation of the "Wonder Con" festival in Podgorica with financial support of 50,000 euros and submit it to the Cabinet for consideration.

The Report on the Implementation of the Action Plan of the Minority Policy Strategy 2019/2023 for 2021 was adopted. The Report assessed that Montenegro has made significant steps both in setting the normative framework and in the implementation of legal regulations. Out of a total of 67 activities carried out by institutions, local self-governments, national councils and non-governmental organisations, 37 activities were implemented, i.e. 55.3 percent, 16 were partially implemented, i.e. 24.1 percent, and 14 activities were not implemented, i.e. 20.6 percent. Bearing in mind that the Action Plan is planned for a two-year period, 2021/2022, it was concluded that most activities have been implemented, especially in the field of education and culture and identity, where NGOs and national councils participate mainly in cooperation with ministries. The implementation of activities in the field of employment and political participation is planned for 2022.

The Information regarding the trial operation of the Smokovac-Mateševo section of the Bar-Boljare motorway was adopted. On that occasion, the Cabinet gave its consent to conduct a procedure of trial operation and functional testing of installed equipment in accordance with the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction of Facilities.