Montenegro's Cabinet Session

Podgorica, Montenegro (9 February 2017) -- The Government of Montenegro held its 12th Session, chaired by Prime Minister Duško Marković.

Raising the question of illegal construction in Montenegro, while pointing out an example of Ulcinj, the Prime Minister requested urgent action. The Government adopted a working conclusion, according to which the Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Interior and Foreign Policy is in charge of forming a working team composed of representatives of relevant ministries and members from the Directorate for inspection, the Prosecutor’s Office and local authorities. The Prime Minister stressed that he sees no higher priority than the action in this field.

During the discussion which was attended by several ministers, it was found that a violation of regulations, and in some cases the devastation, inflicts serious damage to national resources and our strategic commitment that resources should be valued for the benefit of the whole community.

The Government adopted a General plan for protection from harmful effects of water 2017-2022, which defines the preventive and operational measures, establishes the organisational structure, in order to reduce the vulnerability of human lives, material goods, the environment, cultural heritage and the economy from the adverse effects of water. Financial resources for the implementation of this plan are provided in line with the Programme of use of funds for water resources management for 2017, which the Government also adopted at today’s session. The Programme includes activities related to the protection of water, protection from water, efficient use of water and development of planning and project documentation in the field of water resources management. Among others, the Programme envisages creation and revision of the Project of regulation of rivers Grnčar and Lim. Funds in the amount of 147.500€ are planned for financing commitments and requirements to manage water resources in this year.

Also, the Government adopted the Programme of encouraging projects in water sector for 2017. The funds provided by this document have been planned by the Law on Budget of Montenegro for 2017 totalling 1.050.000€, the largest part of which, in the amount of 975.000€ , is allocated for funding support for the construction of water supply systems in rural areas. The Programme includes the construction of 48 water supply systems, hydrogeological investigations and construction of the surface reservoirs in order to create better living and working conditions in rural areas.

A Report on work of Forest Administration in 2016 was adopted, as well as the Forest management programme for 2017. It was emphasised that the rational and sustainable forest management is under the special attention of the Government.

In accordance with the Law on Budget of Montenegro for 2017, the Government adopted the Information on long-term borrowing in order to provide part of the missing funds to finance the Budget for 2017. The Government gave approval to the Ministry of Finance to debt for this purpose in the amount of 15 million € and accepted the Contract on long-term loan between the Government of Montenegro – Ministry of Finance and Societe Generale Montenegro Bank.

The Government was informed about the Report of the Commission for monitoring the competent authorities in investigating cases of threats of violence against journalists, murders of journalists and attacks on media property for the period from 23 September 2016 – 23 January 2017. It was concluded that making decision to place the case of Jovo Martinović in its scope, the Commission went beyond the scope of its competences established by the Decision on establishment of the Commission, given that Martinović doesn’t have a victim status, but the defendant in the proceedings pending before the High Court in Podgorica.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO