Montenegro's Cabinet Session

Podgorica, Montenegro (21 December 2017) -- At today's 55th session, chaired by Prime Minister Duško Marković, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Strategy of Scientific Research Activities 2017-2021 with the Proposal of the Action Plan.

With the aim of more dynamic development of scientific research and innovation system, the Strategy identifies new measures and instrument aimed at better research quality, job creation and the creation of opportunities for access to modern technologies and large international infrastructures. Accordingly, three key objectives are defined: development of human resources and research capacities, improvement of international cooperation and networking, and strengthening synergies between science and economics. Active participation in the programmes of the European Union in this area creates the opportunity for new investments, cooperation and better integration at the international level, while the introduction of innovations in business processes will improve the competitiveness of the economy.

Considering the significance of cyber security at national, as well as at the regional and international level, the Cyber Security Strategy of Montenegro 2018-20121 was adopted, which is compatible with the concepts of the most developed EU and NATO member states in this field. The document defines eight strategic goals for the improvement of national cyber defence, namely: reliance on European and Euro-Atlantic concepts, capacity building for cyber defence, centralisation of cyber expertise and resources, strengthening of inter-institutional cooperation, data protection, education in the field of cyber security, strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors, and strengthening regional and international cooperation. The strategic framework thus defined is compatible with the concepts of the most developed EU member states and NATO in this field.

The Government adopted the Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction with the Dynamic Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategy for the period 2018-2023. The discussion emphasised that Montenegro will be the first country in the Western Balkans to have one document covering all areas related to reducing the risk of natural and other disasters. The goals of the Strategy are in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as the global efforts and demands of the international community, the European Commission and the United Nations Programme for Disaster Risk Reduction and Global Warming.

Due to personal changes in individual ministries and other institutions and in the name of the body responsible for environmental protection, the Decision on Amendments to the Decision on the establishment of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction was adopted at today's session.

The Government adopted the draft laws on amendments to the Law on Voluntary Pension Funds and the Law on Investment Funds.

The Government adopted the Draft Law on signing the Agreement on the establishment of the transport community. The Agreement on the establishment of the transport community is one of the key political processes in the framework of the Agenda of Connectivity and the Berlin Process,  and will replace the memorandum of Understanding for the development of a basic regional transport network in Southeast Europe, signed in Luxembourg on 11 June 204 by the governments of Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Kosovo, as well as the European Commission, which has so far been the cornerstone of the EU's policy of action towards Western Balkan countries in the field of transport.

Information on EU support programmes for Montenegro for 2017 was adopted. When presenting the Information, it was pointed out that Montenegro continually shows success in the use of IPA funds, which is a confirmation of the readiness of the administration to gradually assume self-management with the financial support of the European Union. This is confirmed by the fact that Montenegro used more than 90% of the available funds for non-refundable support of EUR 235 million allocated for the period 2007-2013. In order to continue the successful use of available funds for the period 2014-2020, in which Montenegro has a significantly increased amount of EUR 270.5 million, more than EUR 120 million is programmed within the national programmes for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. These funds are aimed at supporting the most important reforms that Montenegro will implement during the negotiation process, as well as further strengthening of the infrastructure. It was also noted that the successful use of EU funds in the pre-accession period contributed to a more dynamic negotiation process.

The Government adopted the Information on the Proposal of the Financing Agreement between the European Commission, the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Serbia-Montenegro 2015-2017, for allocation 2016 under the IPA II, with the Proposal of the Agreement and accepted the proposed Financing Agreement. The total estimated cost of allocation for 2016 for this Programme is EUR 1,411,764, while the maximum contribution of the European Union to this Action Programme is set at EUR 1,200,000. No financial contribution is required from IPA II beneficiary countries.

The Government also adopted the Information on the Proposal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of defence of Montenegro and the NATO Communications and Information Organisation – NCIO represented by the NATO Communication and Information Agency – NCIA regarding the cooperation in the area of C4ISR activities and the Proposal of the Technical Agreement between the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro and the NATO Communication and Information Agency – NCIA for the provision of services for the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017, with the Proposal of the Memorandum. By signing the Memorandum, an additional level of interoperability with NATO is realised through the use of NCIA's developed programmes at the national level. In addition, the Technical Agreement defines the general terms and procedures for the provision of services in the Communications and Information System, so that, if necessary, to improve cooperation between contracting parties in order to improve interoperability, coherence and cohesion of CIS activities across the Alliance.

The Government adopted the Information on the implementation of the MONDEM Programme with the Proposal of the Agreement for Joint Financing between the Ministry of Defence and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Bearing in mind that the MONDEM Programme ends on 31 December 2018, representatives of Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Montenegro suggested that the OSCE provide funds in the amount of EUR 243,722.94 for the completion of the destruction of surplus weapons, while the OSCE, in cooperation with the Ministry of defence of Montenegro, will provide EUR 300,000 for the construction of a new fence around the Brezovik warehouse. On this occasion, the Government accepted the Joint Financing Agreement between the Ministry of Defence and UNDP and agreed to pay EUR 100,000 from the budget funds of the Ministry of defence for 2017 to the MONDEM Programme in order to successfully complete it. The remaining part of the funds in the amount of EUR 200,000 is provided by the OSCE.

The Government adopted the Information on the implementation of the school sports competition programme in elementary schools, as well.

It also adopted the Information on the activities of the Ministry of Culture on the implementation of the measures established by the Action Plan for the implementation of the decisions relating to the area of Kotor, adopted in Istanbul in July 2015 by the UNESCO Committee.

In order to successfully prepare and realise the participation of Montenegro at the World Expo “EXPO 2020 Dubai”, the Government adopted the Decision on establishment of the Organising Committee for participation of Montenegro at the World Expo “EXPO 2020 Dubai”.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO