Montenegro’s Cabinet approves bills on efficient energy use, forests management, strategy for judicial reform

Podgorica, Montenegro (3 April 2014) -- At today’s session, Montenegro’s Cabinet approved, among other things, the bills on efficient energy use, forests and forestry industry development, as well as the strategy for the reform of the judiciary.

Energy Efficiency Bill 

The Bill on Energy Efficiency aims to establish a basic legal framework for developing energy efficiency system, including rational use and energy-saving where possible, through precisely drafted documents and energy efficiency measures, responsibilities, rights and obligations of the parties relevant to the application of the law. 

The bill does not apply to energy efficiency of systems for power generation, transmission and distribution. 

The main objectives of the proposed legislation are to ensure the introduction of a general framework for promoting final energy consumption, as well as adequate regulatory mechanisms for the purpose of achieving national goals in the energy efficiency area. 

Given that 60% of Montenegro’s territory is covered by forests, the strategy has two objectives relating to forests as an ecosystems and natural resource, and as an economic sector and timber industry, Agriculture Minister Petar Ivanović told the press earlier today.

In that regard, he explained, the strategy is aimed at enhancing sustainable forests management by increasing forest stocks available for use from 104 to 115 million m3 of gross timber weight, and at raising the amount of the GDP allocated to the forestry sector, timber industry and other industries depending on forests from 2% to 4% of Montenegro’s total GDP.

Strategy for Reform of Judiciary for period 2014-2018 

Strategy for the Reform of the Judiciary will serve as a basis for implementing Montenegro's strategic goals from its national and EU accession agenda, primarily relating to strengthening independence, impartiality and responsibility of the Montenegrin judiciary. As one of the key priorities within the EU accession process, higher level of judicial efficiency will boost the respect for human rights and the rule of law, Deputy Justice Minister Branka Lakočević told the press following the Cabinet’s meeting. 

Strengthening the accessibility and transparency of judicial institutions in the coming period should result in raising public trust in the judiciary, she underlined, adding that reforms in this area will advance international and regional cooperation, as well as further judicial capacity building. 

The adoption of the strategy is one of key preconditions for upgrading the judicial system and for demonstrating Montenegro’s full capacity to respond to domestic and international public's requests related to strengthening the rule of law, and establishing an independent and efficient judicial system, Ms Lakočević concluded.