Cabinet session: EU integration, tourism, cooperation with immigrants

Podgorica, Montenegro (8 December 2016) – At the session held earlier today, the Montenegrin Cabinet adopted the fifth semi-annual report on the overall activities in the process of integration of Montenegro into the European Union for the period January - June 2016. Over the reporting period, Montenegro has raised the overall balance of the opened chapters to 24, by opening two more chapters of the acquis, namely the Chapter 12 - Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy and the Chapter 13 - Fisheries.

In order to meet the obligations from the process of Euro-Atlantic integration that would facilitate the participation of units of the Armed Force of Montenegro in collective defence missions, the Government adopted the Dratf Law Amending the Law on the use of units of the Army of Montenegro in international forces and the participation of members of civil defence, police and employees in state administration’s bodies in peacekeeping missions and other activities abroad.

Furthermore, the Cabinet adopted the Decision on establishing the amount of financial compensation for members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro in the European Union peacekeeping operation "EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA".

The Government adopted the Information on the results of the summer touristic season 2016. Based on statistical data, it was concluded that this year's summer tourist season has been more successful than the previous one. For the first 9 months of 2016, was an increase in the number of tourists by 5.24% and overnight stays by 1.2% compared to the same period last year. The growth trend will be continued in the postseason. It was noted that the uneven regional development and the seasonal character require the country to continue with the enrichment and expansion of tourist offer, improvement of transport accessibility, particularly in pre and post season.

Cabinet adopted the Action plan for the implementation of the Strategy of cooperation with immigrants for the period 2016 - 2018, which is the basis for the implementation of projects of mutual interest and provides opportunities for immigrants to express their need more easier. The plan defines concrete measures in terms of shaping the institutional and normative framework of preserving cultural identity, the preservation of national identity, strengthening educational, scientific and sports cooperation, information and connectivity, protection of rights of immigrants and promotion of economic partnership.

Given the personnel changes in the composition of the 41st Cabinet, in line with the Law on the Foundations of Intelligence and Security Sector of Montenegro, the Government adopted a proposal for dismissal of the president and six members and the appointment of the president and four members of the Council for National Security. Duško Marković was appointed President of the Council, and ministers Mevludin Nuhodžić, Predrag Bošković, Darko Radunović and Srđan Darmanović were appointed members of the Council.