No greeting cards and gifts for New Year

Podgorica, Montenegro (15 December 2016) – Prime Minister Duško Marković asked the ministers to ensure the responsible and rational attitude of all employees in the public administration towards state resources.

"This applies not only to the ministers, but it is a message to everyone in public administration, public enterprises, local governments, especially in those institutions that are under our control; that practice must be changed. I do not notice changes in depth. I do not intend to accept the established logic of "let them talk, and we will do business as usual'', the Prime Minister said.

Members of the Government must deliver fortnightly reports to the Cabinet on business trips of employees in the public administration which are under the control of the ministries, while the Prime Minister specifically asked for a detailed report on business trips abroad.

PM Marković also stressed the need to reduce some expenses that usually occur on the eve of New Year's and Christmas holidays.

"Printing and sending greeting cards to congratulate each other, as well as shopping diaries, drink bottle gifts and the like represent an unnecessary expense," the Prime Minister said, suggesting that institutions should direct money to endangered or vulnerable social categories instead of sending greeting cards and gifts.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO