Montenegro's Cabinet Session

Podgorica, Montenegro (10 November 2016) -- The Government of Montenegro adopted an Information on the 2016 Report of the European Commission to Montenegro at today's session, chaired by Prime Minister Milo Đukanović. Presenting the document, the State Secretary – Chief Negotiator for Montenegro's Accession to EU Aleksandar Andrija Pejović said that despite the negative interpretation in certain local media, it is the best report of the European Commission for Montenegro so far. On the other hand, the document shows that Montenegro remained in the lead and progress compared to all other countries which are in the process of accession to the European Union.

Ambassador Pejović said that it not only shows the comparision of Report of Montenegro and reports of other countries, but also that this is a score of ambassadors of the EU member states, with whom he met before the session of the Governement.

„Although the name of the reports is no longer progress reports, but only reports, we have agreed that in the case of Montenegro it is about progress,“ said Chief Negotiator, „whereby the progress in Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights is particularly highlighted, adding that the effort paid off, although there are still challenges ahead.“

Concluding this agenda item, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with results achieved in order to implement the objectives of our European agenda. Also, he pointed that the high adresses in Brussels measure our results as progress. With 24 opened chapters and perspective that more shall be opened in the period of Slovakian presidency, the Prime Minister said that Montenegro has entered a phase in which it can no longer be treated along with other countries in the accession process. He added that our country has passed a similar path in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration until it singled out as a leader. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the challenges that have been identified in the Report will be as soon as possible transformed into the working guidelines for future activities in order to further progress of our country in the process of European integration.   

The Government has determined the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Public Enforcement. The aim of this document is to eliminate the problems resulting from the previous work of the public enforcement officers, which are primarily related to the strenghtening of the conditions for the public enforcement officers' appointment and the system of their responsibilities, as well as the equal work load. In order to strenghten the responsibility of the public enforcement officers, the provisions relating to the disciplinary violations and disciplinary proceedings are enhanced.

The Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Enforcement and Security is also determined, in which are introduced new solutions raised by the jurisprudence, that will make the execution procedure faster, better and more efficient.

The Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Illegal Advertisement is sent to Committees for further discussion, in order to remove certain ambigities that were observed during the discussion.

The Government adopted the Information on the status of the Morača River Hydropower Plant Project. It is noted that the Chinese company NORINCO submitted a technical proposal, which the Commission for the evaluation of potential investors adopted as final. The company NORINCO also submitted the commercial offer, which will be evaluated subsequently by the special Commission.

Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Boris Marić informed the participants on the activities in the flooded areas in the municipalities of Berane, Petnjica, Plav, Gusinje and Rožaje. Among other things, he said that the Ministry allocated 25.900 Euro for immediate assistance to the affected families in these areas. Minister Budimir Šegrt informed about the measures taken by the Ministry of Health in regard to prevention of the infectious diseases in flooded areas. The Prime Minister suggested that the relevant ministries continue to monitor the situation and intervene promptly.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO