Press release from the 63rd Cabinet session

At its 63rd session, chaired by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, the Montenegrin Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on open-ended investment funds subject to public offering. This law aims to establish a harmonized and stringent regulatory and supervisory framework for managing such funds in Montenegro. It seeks to address potential risks arising from the activities of these entities and ensure efficient risk monitoring by the Capital Market Commission. Furthermore, the law aligns Montenegro's regulatory framework with EU legislation governing financial services (Chapter 9) and strengthens investor protection by ensuring fair and orderly trading of fund shares.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on financial conglomerates. The law ensures compliance with EU Directive 2002/87/EC, introducing enhanced supervision for financial conglomerates operating across banking, investment services, and insurance sectors. This law strengthens financial stability and consumer protection through additional supervision by the Central Bank of Montenegro, the Insurance Supervision Agency, and the Capital Market Commission, integrating sector-specific capital adequacy requirements.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on games of chance. The new law lays the groundwork for strengthening measures against money laundering and terrorism financing in Montenegro's gaming sector. It enhances oversight of gaming operators and improves monitoring of financial flows and client behaviours.

The Cabinet adopted the National Digital Health Development Strategy (2024–2028) to modernize the healthcare system through advanced technologies like telemedicine, mHealth, and artificial intelligence. The strategy focuses on improving healthcare accessibility, particularly in remote areas, and enhancing system efficiency.

The Cabinet adopted the Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (IPARD II 2014–2020, Version 1.7). This programme aims to better prepare Montenegrin farmers for EU integration by optimizing the use of IPA II funds, enhancing product quality, production volume, and competitiveness, and meeting EU food safety standards.

The Cabinet adopted guidelines for the issuance of government bonds on the domestic market in 2025. The process will be simplified, with the first round open to citizens and residents, and the second round reserved for professional investors, ensuring broad accessibility.

The Cabinet adopted the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (2025–2027).

The Cabinet allocated €22.5 million for land expropriation on the Mateševo-Andrijevica highway segment and €11 million for Phase II of Tivat Airport development.

The Cabinet approved €77,000 for sports infrastructure projects, €50,000 for the Sailing Federation, €100,000 for the Volleyball Federation, and €100,000 for football field construction in Tuzi. Additionally, €116,000 was allocated to veteran organizations.

Forty-nine new vehicles were distributed to schools to address transportation issues in rural areas, ensuring over 90% coverage for student transport needs.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on amendments to the National Qualifications Framework Law. The amendments recognize integrated study programmes (300–360 ECTS) and introduce micro-qualifications, enabling lifelong learning and bridging formal and non-formal education.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on amendments to the Basic Education Law. The proposal aligns Montenegro's education system with the General Education Law, standardizing assessment periods and clarifying teacher workload.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on amendments to the National Vocational Qualifications Law. The amendments enhance the recognition of informal and non-formal learning and introduce micro-qualifications aligned with EU standards, facilitating personal and professional development.

The Cabinet reviewed 51 concession agreements for geological exploration and exploitation of minerals, with annual concession fees increasing by 19.7% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

For full press release in Montenegrin, please click here.