Press release following Cabinet meeting

At todays Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the Government of Montenegro has adopted the Legal Property Relations Bill, as amended following a public debate sponsored by the Parliament. This important systemic legislation comprehensively regulates rights of ownership and other rights in rem in line with the highest European and international standards. A completely new regulation of property relations is essential for fundamental changes in Montenegros economic and legal system, and quicker realization of constitutional concepts of private property and freedom of entrepreneurship. The complex institutions formerly subject to a divided legislative authority have been consolidated by the Bill, which provides for a more homogenous and systematic legal text and facilitates a comprehensive insight into the subject matter.

As part of aligning domestic legislation with WTO standards, the Government adopted the Bill on Indications of Geographic Origin. The Bill will meet another requirement in the process of Montenegros accession to the World Trade Organization, the Cabinet concluded.

Furthermore, the Government adopted the Bill ratifying the European Charter on Local Self-Government. The Charter is based on the principle that local government is one of the main pillars of every democratic system and that the right of citizens to perform public affairs, as one of the main democratic principles common to all Council of Europe members, could be exercised most directly at a local level, through the model of decentralization.

Considering the vital importance of culture for Montenegros promotion and preservation of its tradition and state identity, the Government adopted the Draft Law on Culture. In view of the complexity of culture and the specificity of its versatile and multifaceted manifestations, the Bill establishes a structured normative system in this area, which is yet to be definitively developed through a series of separate legislative projects.

In addition, the Government adopted a number of decisions granting concessions under combined DBOT arrangement for water stream exploration and small hydro-power plant construction in Montnegro, as well as the Decision on Tourism Exploitation of State-Owned Sites on Lustica Penninsula.

In order to mitigate the consequences of last years floods in the municipalities of Kolasin, Berane, Andrijevica and Plav, the Government, following a damage assessment, decided to earmark 331.984 for the reconstruction of infrastructure facilities.