Cabinet's meeting

Podgorica, Montenegro (27 June 2014) – At today’s session, the Montenegrin Cabinet approved the Bill on International Restrictive Measures. By using these measures and sanctions, the international community inflluences behaviour change of certain countries and/or entities that pose a threat to international peace and security without using force. At the same time, it is a mechanism for preventing the financing of terrorist organisations, for arms control, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and prevention of many other crimes. The Cabinet concluded that by adopting this law Montenegro makes a contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, development of democracy and the rule of law at global and national levels.

The session also approved the Bill Amending the Law on Tourism Organisation. The law prescribes more quality regulations in the field of organisation and operation of tourism organisations, ways of financing, as well as the criteria for tourist cites categorisation. The law would also lower costs of establishing individual tourism organisations and enable more efficient record of tourist traffic. It also envisages that a part of funds generated from NTO membership fees is to be used for financing low-cost airlines and charter flights.

The Government adopted the report on the construction of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP), which should connect Fier in Albania to Split in Croatia, passing through the territory of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a total length of 530 km. The project is being implemented under the auspices of the Western Balkan Investment Framework, is funded by the EU and represents a continuation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline which enables gas transport from the Caspian region to Western Europe. The activities done to date on the implementation of the IAP project include a feasibility study consisting of a strategic environmental and social impact assessment, and a project's proposed business model.

The Government also discussed the construction of wind power plants on sites Krnovo and Možura. The Možura's contract envisages the construction of a wind power plant with installed capacity to 46 MW and a 20-year lease period, while the projected installed capacity of wind power Krnovo is 72 MW, with also a 20-year lease period. The government tasked the relevant ministry to continue the ongoing monitoring and take necessary measures to ensure smooth implementation of the projects.

Government adopted the Strategy for Regional Development of Montenegro for the period 2014 – 2020, primarily aimed at achieving more balanced growth and development of local governments and regions, based on competitiveness, innovation and creation of new jobs.

Considering the Information on the need for adopting the Bill on Freedom of Religion, the government stressed that modern Montenegro recognises ethnic and religious diversity as its civilising potential. Starting from the constitutional provisions which guarantee freedom of religion, separation of church and state, equal treatment of religions and freedom to perform religious rituals and activities, as well as ratified international documents, the government will draft a law that would standardise the status of religious communities, at the same time promoting the EU acquis and principle of secularism in the Montenegrin society.

Among other things, the Government decided that, until the new minister of culture is appointed, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković will be in charge of the ministry.