Montenegro's Cabinet Session

Podgorica, Montenegro (1 March 2018) -- At today's 65th session, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System Milutin Simović, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Regulation on informing consumers about food. In addition to aligning with European legislation, this Regulation sets out clear requirements for information about the food which, in accordance with the needs and different perceptions of consumers, provide: high level of protection of health and interests of consumers, help in the selection of food and safe use of food taking into account health, economic, social, ethical and other circumstances. Also, the new Regulation will contribute to smooth functioning of the market, free flow and placing on the market of produced food, as well as to the promotion of quality products.

The Government adopted the Decision on the calculated value of the coefficient for employees in the public sector for the fiscal year 2018. After negotiations with representatives of representative trade unions, the value of the coefficient for calculating the basic salaries of public sector employees for the fiscal year 2018 remained unchanged and is determined in the gross amount of EUR 90.00.

Decision amending the Decision on the severance pay of employees in the public sector was adopted at today's session.

The Government adopted a Decision on the Privatisation Plan for 2018 and adopted: Report on the work of the Privatisation and Capital Projects for 2017, with the Report on the Implementation of the Privatisation Plan for 2017; Report on implemented investment and other activities under the Lease and Construction Contract related to Luštica Development AD Tivat, Municipality of Tivat – project Luštica Bay for the period 2016-2017; Information on the activities related to the implementation of the contractual obligation to appointing an independent auditor – Controller, in accordance with the Contract on lease of the HTP Complex Ulcinjska rivijera, Ulcinj, which was discussed the day before by the Council for Privatisation and Capital Projects.

The Annual Report on Implementation of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Public Finance Management Reform Programme 2016-2020 for the period January-December 2017 was adopted. When presenting the Report, it was pointed out that most of indicators point to a positive trend in the implementation of the planned activities of the Programme, while progress in achieving the reform goals has been recognised in particular through the collection of taxes above the planned and better organisational structure of the Tax Administration, through significant revenue growth and harmonisation of customs legislation with the Acquis Communautaire, as well as through significant improvement of the capacities of internal auditors.

The Government adopted the Information on the Draft Loan Agreement between the Council of Europe Development Bank and the Investment and Development Fund of Montenegro. On this occasion, the Government adopted the text of the Agreement and agreed for the Investment and Development Fund to borrow in the amount of EUR 30 million. These funds are intended to support entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises through loans up to EUR 50,000.00.

The Government adopted the Information on the implementation of the project “Reconstruction of the water supply system of the Municipality of Žabljak and water supply from the accumulation lakes” and adopted the Annex I of the Grant Agreement 2017/3.

The Report on state in the Army of Montenegro for 2017 was adopted as well. The Report points out that the Army has undergone a challenging transition process, with the adoption of NATO doctrine, in order to achieve full interoperability with the members of the Alliance, thus giving full contribution to the full Montenegro’s membership in NATO. The priorities of the Army in 2017 were building operational capabilities, implementation of NATO standards, as well as participation in international peacekeeping missions and operations.

Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Internal and External Affairs and Minister of Justice Zoran Pažin was appointed to manage the work of the Ministry of European Affairs until the appointment of the Minister.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO