The 57th Cabinet session – 2 February 2022

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at its 57th session held on 2 February 2022, chaired by Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, adopted the Draft Law on structural policy and the allocation of state aid in fisheries and aquaculture sector. The adoption of this Law is necessary in order to harmonise it with the acquis communautaire, in order to implement support programmes for the fisheries. It was assessed that the proposed legal solutions will contribute to the development of the fisheries sector and create better conditions for the allocation of funds to beneficiaries. The law also defines state aid based on support from the national budget and local government budgets, as well as the manner and conditions of allocation and record keeping.

In accordance with the Law on Concessions, the Cabinet adopted the Decree on the manner of determining the concession fee for a company or legal entity that uses a water reservoir and/or watercourse for the production of electricity in hydropower plants.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the status of the implementation of the bypass project around Budva. The Information states that grants in the amount of 4,614,200 euros were provided through the mechanism of the Western Balkans Investment Framework, and that the implementation of the project began on 8 July 2019. However, it is stated that the deadlines for the completion of certain phases cannot be met because they are too ambitious, given the current dynamics and the need to consider the priorities of capital infrastructure projects in the coming medium term, having in mind the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the European Commission announced the withdrawal of grants intended for co-financing the construction of the bypass around Budva, noting that we can re-apply when the conditions are met, for the amount of 40% of the estimated value of construction, in accordance with current Methodology of the Western Balkans Investment Framework. The previous Methodology provided for the approval of 20% of the estimated value of construction.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the activities carried out in the procedure of granting a concession for the use of water from the Otilovići reservoir for the construction of a small hydropower plant. The Tender Commission stated that the Montenegrin Electric Enterprise (EPCG) did not submit the bid in the form prescribed by the Tender Documentation. In this regard, the Ministry of Capital Investments is in charge of asking EPCG to resubmit the bid in accordance with the Law on Concessions and the adopted Concession Act, in order to create conditions for the implementation of this project.

The Information on the manner of determining the financial resources necessary for the preparation of planning documents and strategic environmental impact assessment was also adopted.

The Cabinet adopted a Training Plan for civil servants and employees for 2022.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on concluding the Agreement on Cooperation in the Implementation of Education Programmes and Projects in the Field of IT Sector between the Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, University of Montenegro and ICT Cortex. The Information states that the cooperation between the Ministry and the University was established by the Memorandum concluded in 2021, which is an example of good cooperation between academia and public administration characterized by partnership based on mutual understanding and comprehensive cooperation. The continuation of the established cooperation is being extended to the private sector, with the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Implementation of Education Programmes and Projects in the Field of the IT Sector.

Among other things, the Cabinet adopted the Partial Personnel Plan of the state administration bodies and services of the Government of Montenegro for 2022.