Press release from 21st Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at its 21st session held on 22 April 2021, chaired by Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code of Montenegro. The proposed amendments cover all criminal offenses against sexual freedom, concerning the protection of children and infirm persons. For all these crimes, it is proposed to adopt stricter prison sentences, while for the most severe ones, it is proposed that the perpetrator will be sentenced to long-term imprisonment for forty years, which is the most severe punishment provided by domestic criminal legislation for the most serious crimes. The session emphasised that the goal of passing this law is the need for urgent criminal prophylaxis in social conditions and the urgent need for preventive action against potential perpetrators of crimes against sexual freedoms and special protection of children.

The Information on providing the necessary funds for the implementation of the decision of the Constitutional Court of Montenegro U-III no. 1647/19 of 30.9.2020 ordering the Government to pay compensation for non-taxable amount of EUR 2,000.00 to the complainant - bankruptcy trustees of the Podgorica-based company Radoje Dakić. On that occasion, the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare is in charge of providing funds in the amount of EUR 344,000.00 from the Current Budget Reserve, based on the Decision of the Constitutional Court of Montenegro U-III no. 1647/19 of 30.9.2020, for 172 bankruptcy trustees of this company.

The Cabinet gave its consent for the conclusion of an annex to the contract on the use of state-owned forests by selling wood concluded in 2020 between the Pljevlja-based Forest Administration and forest users. The Cabinet agreed to extend 26 contracts concluded in 2020, for which there were justified reasons for non-fulfillment of contractual obligations.

The Basis for conducting negotiations for the conclusion of the Agreement between Montenegro and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income with the Draft Agreement was adopted. The signing of the Agreement will provide a favourable tax environment for international business and investment and an efficient mechanism for resolving the problem of double taxation.

The Cabinet adopted the Final Report on the Implementation of the Strategy for the Development of General Secondary Education in Montenegro 2015–2020. It was stated that the percentage of implementation of activities defined by the Strategy is at a high level - 80.00% was fully implemented, 14.29% of activities were partially implemented, while 5.71% were not implemented. Changes in the normative framework have been identified as key challenges for the partial implementation of certain activities.

The 2020 Report on the Implementation of the Strategy of Inclusive Education in Montenegro 2019–2025 was adopted. As this document refers to a specific segment of the education system, it was assessed, despite the difficult conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, that 42 activities were successfully implemented, 18 of them are in progress and/or continuous, and 7 are not implemented.

The Cabinet adopted the Report on the Implementation of Activities from the Programme for the Implementation of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 - Women, Peace and Security (2019-2022) for the period 2019-2020.  The Report states that out of the total number of activities (40), 36 or 90% were implemented, three or 7.5% were partially implemented, while one activity or 2.5% of the total number of activities was not implemented.

The Cabinet adopted the Rulebooks on internal organisation and systematization of the Agency for peaceful settlement of labour disputes, the Directorate of Sport and Youth, the Basic Court in Rožaje and the Basic Court in Podgorica.

The Cabinet adopted a Decision on the formation of a Commission to monitor the actions of the competent authorities in investigating cases of threats and violence against journalists, murders of journalists and attacks on media property. Taking into account the importance of resolving attacks on journalists and media property for Montenegrin society and the further continuation of the European integration process, it was decided to form a new Commission, in order to create a safe environment for public speech and freedom of expression.

The Commission consists of 12 members, and Mihailo Jovović has been appointed president. The task of the Commission is to determine the plan and dynamics of gathering facts and establishing other circumstances related to the investigation of cases of threats and violence against journalists, murders of journalists and attacks on media property, to cooperate with the authorities based on received information and considered circumstances related to the conducted investigations, to make an overview of the current course of investigations and prepare an opinion on the effective way of conducting investigation, and to propose concrete measures to be taken. The mandate of the Commission is two years and can be extended for another two years, if the Cabinet deems it necessary.

The Information on Montenegro's participation in the World Expo 2020 Dubai was adopted. The Cabinet decided to continue planning Montenegro's participation in this prestigious international event, and Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš, a representative of the descendants of the Petrović Njegoš dynasty and the president of the Petrović Njegoš Foundation, was appointed general commissioner of the exhibition.

The Information states that the Expo 2020 Dubai Organising Committee, understanding the financial difficulties faced by Montenegro, offered assistance to the team working on the preparation of Montenegro's participation in the Expo in defining areas where savings can be made and accordingly make a new budget proposal. The Organising Committee, through direct communication with the bidder, submitted a new bid that includes a reduction in the cost of construction of the pavilion by 47.3% of the originally planned amount in the open public procurement procedure, i.e. to EUR 1,192,041. It was stated that the savings will be redirected to programme activities during the six months of the exhibition.

At today's session, the Cabinet, among other things, adopted the Decision on declaring the protected area of the Platamuni Nature Park.