Press release from the 34th Cabinet session

During its 34th session, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Internal Policy, European and Foreign Affairs Aleksa Bečić, the Montenegrin Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources. This law aims to further harmonize Montenegro's legislation with the EU acquis in the field of energy.

The provisions of this law will positively impact: the state, by meeting renewable energy targets, consumers, by developing the electricity market and improving the regulatory framework for prosumer electricity production, investors, by enhancing the regulatory framework for investments in renewable energy.

Additionally, the law will create conditions for conducting auctions in the field of renewable energy in Montenegro and introduce a market support mechanism, i.e., incentive measures for electricity from renewable sources, aiming to achieve the most favourable electricity prices for consumers and reduce regulatory risks for investors. Moreover, the construction of new energy capacities under this law will improve transportation and energy infrastructure, especially in rural areas where these facilities are typically built, thus enhancing the living standards of the population.

The Cabinet also adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Concessions. This law aims to align with the new Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, which prescribes the procedure for leasing state-owned land or natural resources for renewable energy production.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Energy Law. The amendments primarily involve deleting provisions that transposed Directive 2009/28/EC, which is no longer in force. The new Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources has been fully transposed into the Draft Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, ensuring consistency between these regulations. Additionally, the amendments include changes to the provisions on the professional training of individuals performing certain energy-related tasks, which do not need to be harmonised with EU regulations.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Obligations and the Basics of Property Relations in Air Transport. This law regulates the rights of persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and sets provisions for inspection supervision and penalties related to passenger rights (such as the right to compensation for denied boarding, cancellation or delay, damage caused by destruction, loss or damage to luggage or items given for transport, and late delivery of luggage). The amendments aim to clearly define when passengers have the right to file complaints. These changes will primarily benefit passengers by clarifying the complaint procedures and deadlines for filing complaints with the Civil Aviation Agency.

The Cabinet adopted a Decision on the Introduction of International Restrictive Measures established by the decisions of the European Union Council in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine. By adopting this decision, Montenegro will fully align legally with the EU's current restrictive measures, as stipulated by the original Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP and all its updated versions, including the latest amendment 2024/726/CFSP of 23 February 2024, covering the 12th and 13th packages of sanctions.

A Decision amending the Decision on the Formation of the Operational Team for the Open Government Partnership was also adopted to align with the new state administration organisation.

The Cabinet adopted the Annual Public Procurement Report for 2023. The report results from the Ministry of Finance's activities, which involved collecting data from the electronic public procurement system and their subsequent processing and analysis. The data show that in 2023 a total of €809,301,703 in procurements were contracted, with electricity and coal procurements amounting to €134,104,801 and public procurements totaling €675,196,902. This represents an increase from the previous year, likely due to the general rise in the prices of goods, works, and services procured during the reporting period. Consequently, the share of public procurements in GDP has also increased but remains within average values. With the new legislative framework in place, the Ministry of Finance's focus during the reporting period was on strengthening administrative capacities and increasing the professionalization of public procurement workforce. It was emphasised that in the context of Montenegro's EU accession process, Chapter 5 – Public Procurement is expected to be one of the first chapters to receive a positive report on meeting interim benchmarks for closure, indicating progress in reforms within this policy.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on Activities based on Montenegro's membership in the World Trade Organization and the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference.

The Cabinet adopted a Decision on the Annulment of the Decision on the Dissolution of the Šavnik Municipal Assembly. The Cabinet had previously adopted a Decision on Warning the Šavnik Municipal Assembly on 14 March, requiring the Assembly to fulfill its legal obligations within ten days. However, as the Assembly did not comply, the Cabinet dissolved the Šavnik Municipal Assembly on 28 March 2024. The dissolution process requires the Cabinet to issue a warning and dissolution decision, followed by the President of Montenegro calling elections in the dissolved municipality. Since the President did not call elections, the dissolution could not be legally and practically executed in accordance with the Law on Local Self-Government. Therefore, the Decision on Warning the Šavnik Municipal Assembly also ceased to be valid.