Cabinet session discusses youth strategy, cooperation with NGOs, public administration reform, domestice violence

Podgorica, Montenegro (29 September 2016) -- At today's session, the Montenegrin Government adopted the Youth Strategy 2017-2021. In order to involve young people in decision-making process and implementation of public policies, the strategy sets out a formal framework for the systematic improvement of the status of young people in Montenegro and defines the long-term objectives and activities, as well as financial, administrative and other measures to achieve them. The strategy defines the following objectives in the field of youth policy: removing barriers to labour market access, supporting development of youth entrepreneurship, reducing  inactivity of young people, supporting development of non-formal learning, increasing mobility of young people, improving quality of cultural activities for young people, as well as improving the framework for the implementation of the Strategy.

Today's Cabinet meeting also adopted the analysis of the effects of implementing the Strategy for the Development of NGOs for the period 2014 - 2016. The analysis, which will serve as a starting point to develop new strategies, critically perceives the achievements and weaknesses of the current document. It was concluded that it is necessary to amend the Law on NGOs, build capacity of the Office for Cooperation with NGOs and develop volunteerism.

The Montenegrin Cabinet also adopted the Decision establishing the Council for Public Administration Reform in order to ensure institutional continuity and stronger support for the reform process. The Council will, in cooperation with the Government, direct the public administration reform process, through the identification of key issues in the implementation of the Strategy of Public Administration and define measures for their elimination.

In order to comply with the recommendations of the European Commission on the progress of Montenegro and the Law on Administrative Procedure, the Government approved the Draft Law Amending the Law on Electronic Communications. The proposed piece of legislation governs the management and the use of electronic communications networks, conditions and manner of performing activities in this field.

Today's session adopted the Report on the Implementation of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence for the period 2010 -2015. It was concluded that the Government of Montenegro is committed to tackling the problem of domestic violence. Law on Protection against Domestic Violence was assessed as very good and in compliance with international standards.

The Cabinet discussed the information on outstanding obligations of health institutions and the Health Insurance Fund. In line with the Law on Budget of Montenegro for 2016, the Government approved EUR 6 million to be allocated for that purpose.