Government of Montenegro first public session: Development plans for 2014

Cetinje, Montenegro (19 December 2013) – At today’s Montenegrin Cabinet’s first public session in Cetinje, te Deputy Prime Ministers announced the Government’s top priorities in 2014 in terms of economy, domestic policy, EU and NATO integration, and more balanced regional development of the country.

Economy
Maintenaining fiscal stability, improving the living standard, more dynamic economic growth, and strengthening of productivity, competitiveness, and social dialogue will be Montenegro’s economic priorities for 2014, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System Vujica Lazović noted.

He underlined the importance of carrying out structural reforms concerning pension system, education, health care, labour market, as well as advancing business environment and developing science and research community.

In 2014, Montenegro’s Government will put special emphasis on development and infrastructural projects, DPM Lazović pointed out. He particularly referred to the construction of the Bar-Boljare highway, Block II of the Pljavlja Thermal Power Plant, small hydro-power plants and major projects in tourism such as Porto Montenegro, Luštica Bay, Kumbor, etc. Oil and gas examinations and production, underwater energy cable between Montenegro and Italy, tender for long term lease of 7 more locations in Montenegro and construction of hotels in central and northern Montenegro will also take central place on the Government’s 2014 economic agenda, the Deputy Prime Minister added.

Rule of law
Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Foreign, and Interior policy Duško Marković said that activities aimed at harmonisation of Montenegro’s legislation with that of the EU, strengthening of judiciary’s efficiency, rationalisation of court network will be among Government’s key priorities.

In the area of combating corruption, the Government will make efforts towards drafting the law on the anti-corruption agency, setting up a special prosecutor’s office for fighting corruption and organised crime, establishing national coordination bodies, and adopting new and amending the existing legislation in that field.

Other crucial areas of Montenegro’s interior policy, Deputy Prime Minister Marković underlined, will be the promotion of human rights and freedoms through resolving cases of murders and attacks on journalists, empowering the role of the Ombudsman, further promotion of free legal aid institute, and improving the living conditions of all vulnerable groups in the country.

EU and NATO integration, foreign policy
Montenegro’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration process in 2014 will concentrate on creating condition for Montenegro’s accession to the EU and NATO, opening of other negotiating chapters and implementation of projects funded by the EU through the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Igor Lukšić stated. He also emphasised the significance of intensification of bilateral relations with neighbours and most developed and influenced countries, further promotion of Montenegro's economic potentials, boosting ties and contacts with diaspora, enhancing cooperation with the civil society, informing the public on EU accession, as well as strengthening regional cooperation and economic diplomacy.

Regional development
With a view to achieving more balanced regional development of the country, Deputy Prime Minister for Regional Development Rafet Husović said that northern part and less developed municipalities will receive EUR 24.5 million (37.5%) more than in 2013. He also noted that 50% of Montenegro’s 2014 capital budget, amounting to EUR 90.27 million, will be allocated for boosting the northern region’s economic activity. Furthermore, the Investment and Development Fund will support entrepreneurs with loans worth EUR 30 million, and 1.000 new jobs will be created in the agriculture sector in 2014, the Minister for Regional Development emphasisesd.