Press release from 50th Cabinet session

Podgorica, Montenegro (16 November 2017) – At today session, the Montenegrin Cabinet adopted the Information on the Results of the Negotiations between the Government of Montenegro and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) in connection with the PBG-Policy Based Guarantee and accepted the proposals of the key documents that serve as a basis for the finalisation of the process of granting the Guarantee to Montenegro. This is the Guarantee of the IBRD, a World Bank’s institution, which, within the responsible and sustainable management of public finance, will enable obtaining favourable conditions for planned debt repayment in 2019 and 2020.

The discussion emphasised that, due to the effects of fiscal consolidation measures and outstanding financial results achieved this year, which exceeded the most optimistic projections, the conditions for continued World Bank' support for the realisation of the Government's reform policy in the field of stabilisation of public finance and spending cuts were achieved. Darko Radunović, Minister of Finance, was tasked, on behalf of the Government of Montenegro, to submit all the necessary documentation to the World Bank, which will reach a final decision.

As to the process of European integration, the Government adopted the Information on the Draft Financing Agreement 2014-2020 between the Government of Montenegro and the European Commission in terms of support for agriculture and rural development under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (Ipa II). Within the new financial perspective 2014-2020, the European Commission has allocated EUR 39 million through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Support for Rural Development for Montenegro. The Agreement details the financial obligations of the Union for the implementation of the Ipard II programme and defines the provisions for entrusting budget execution tasks for the two measures of the Ipard II programme. The total indicative amount of costs for the implementation of the Ipard II programme in Montenegro for the period 2014-2020 is 86,811,578.00 euros, out of which 39,000,000.00 are the total grant of the EU, 35,727,264.00 euros should be provided by agricultural producers and € 12,084,314.00 will be allocated from the national budget.

Cabinet also adopted the Decision on establishing the operational body for the implementation of the Strategy on Informing the Public on the Accession of Montenegro to the European Union 2014-2018. The Decision will help continue with the implementation of the key strategic document related to informing the public about the process of Montenegro's accession to the European Union in a comprehensive and high-quality manner, as well as a better citizens' understanding of the European integration process.

In line with the previously adopted Impact Assessment on the heritage for the natural, cultural and historical area of Kotor, the Government adopted the Decision Amending the Decision on the development of the spatial plan of special purposes for the coastal area of Montenegro, which excmpts the area covered by the urban development projects for Perast and the old core of Kotor from the ban on construction. Furthermore, it was noted that the construction ban does not apply to facilities that are reconstructed for maintenance and use within the existing dimensions, which have been built in accordance with the law, as well as to underground utility infrastructure facilities.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT