Press release from 37th Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at its 37th session held on 2 September 2021, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, adopted a Decree amending the Decree on novel foods that can be used and placed on the market.  The Decreee is adopted in order to ensure the implementation of the Law on Food Safety and harmonisation with the acquis communautaire, especially in relation to novel foods and their ingredients. In accordance with the prescribed provisions, it is allowed to place on the market of Montenegro only types of novel foods that have been authorised by the European Commission and included in the list of authorised novel foods.

The National Plan for Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products for the period from 2021 to 2026 was adopted. The goals of the National Plan are defined in a way that in a five-year period should ensure the sustainable use of pesticides by reducing their negative impact, i.e. reducing risks to human health and the environment, while promoting integrated and non-chemical pest control measures and alternative approaches and techniques to reduce dependence on pesticide use.

The Cabinet adopted the Strategy for Social Inclusion of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro 2021–2025 with the Action Plan for 2021. The vision of the new strategic document is reflected in the need for full affirmation and inclusion of the Roma and Egyptian communities in the social, economic, cultural and political life of Montenegro. In this regard, the main strategic goal is defined: improving the socio-economic and legal position of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, through building an inclusive and open society based on combating and eliminating all forms of discrimination, anti-Gypsyism and poverty. The document emphasises that in order to achieve the strategic goal at all levels of society, it is necessary to establish adequate systemic solutions that will enable more efficient access in areas where members of the Roma and Egyptian communities are most vulnerable.

The Programme for the Implementation of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Resolution of the United Nations Security Council 1325 - Women, Peace and Security (2019-2022), for the period 2021-2022 was adopted. The main goal of the Action Plan is to support and monitor the implementation of Resolution 1325 and related resolutions, which will be applied by strengthening gender awareness at the state level within government programmes, and at the international level by Montenegro's active participation in activities of international organisations. Increased women's participation in decision-making and peace processes, the protection of women and girls in conflict zones, and the integration of a gender perspective and gender education into peacekeeping operations have been identified as key areas for the implementation of the Resolution 1325 and accompanying resolutions.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the need to provide funds from the Current Budget Reserve with the Explanation of the budget for Montenegro's participation in the World Exhibition Expo 2020 Dubai, for 2021. The Cabinet has given its consent for the use of funds from the current budget reserve in the amount of EUR 298,950.00 for Montenegro's participation in this prestigious international exhibition. The key goal of the Montenegrin pavilion will be to provide each visitor with general information about our country, its geographical position, tourist offer, investment environment, natural resources and richness of biodiversity.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Montenegro and the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports and accepted the text of the Memorandum. The signing of this Memorandum is extremely important for improving cooperation in the field of youth policy, primarily for further strengthening of youth organisations, encouraging their cooperation with organisations of the Russian Federation, as well as further strengthening of youth policies in accordance with defined goals. In order to fulfill the goals of the Memorandum, the parties will work on the development and implementation of exchange programmes for youth, youth organisations and employees in state bodies responsible for these activities, as well as on strengthening cooperation on exchange of information, best practices, volunteering, development of potential of youth and volunteer organisations, implementation of educational programmrs, projects and events aimed at exchanging experiences in the field of volunteering.

In that context, the Information on concluding the Memorandum between the competent bodies of Montenegro and the Russian Federation in the field of youth policy was adopted, with the proposed Memorandum. 

Among other things, the Cabinet adopted the Information on the preparation of the Draft Fiscal Strategy of Montenegro 2021 - 2024 and the Decision on amendments to the Decision on the formation of the Working Group for the preparation of the Draft Fiscal Strategy.