Press release from the 65th Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at its 65th session held today and chaired by Deputy Prime Aleksa Bečić, adopted the Law on Free Access to Information. Amendments to the current legislative framework aim to enable the right to free access to information within a modern systematic model based on the premise that citizens exercise their interests in cooperative relationships with one another and with government bodies, which operate as an "open system" in communication with their citizens. As highlighted during the session, the exercise and protection of the right to access information face challenges that negatively impact the efficiency of public authorities, the realization of rights, and the overall transparency of government operations. This law is expected to contribute to more effective exercise of the right to free access to information and the establishment of necessary mechanisms to overcome identified issues in its implementation. Consequently, this will create the necessary conditions for higher-quality and more efficient realization of the right to free access to information, ultimately fostering the development of democracy and a democratic system.

The Cabinet adopted two amendments to the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the National Security Agency. Amendment I pertains to Article 40, paragraph 1 of the proposed law, which stipulates that the legality and efficiency of the Agency’s work are overseen by a Special Controller for National Security. Considering the scope and importance of the tasks assigned to the Special Controller, this amendment proposes that these tasks be carried out in the premises of the National Security Agency. Amendment II concerns Article 41, paragraph 4 of the proposed law, which mandates that the Special Controller’s annual report is submitted to the competent parliamentary committee as part of the Agency’s annual report. This amendment proposes the deletion of this provision since paragraph 3 of Article 41 already stipulates that the Special Controller submits their annual report on completed oversight to the Director of the Agency, the Government, and the relevant parliamentary committee.

The Cabinet adopted a Decree on Amendments to the Decree on Detailed Conditions and Methods for Implementing Administrative and Physical Measures for the Protection of Classified Information. These amendments aim to enhance the legal framework for implementing administrative and physical protection measures by introducing modern standards in this field. The current decree, adopted in 2015, needs to be updated to replace outdated standards with more contemporary ones. Additionally, the decree needs to be aligned with defence-related legislation adopted after 2015. The goal of this decree is to create optimal conditions for safeguarding classified information and preventing their disclosure to unauthorized persons.

The Cabinet adopted the Breeding and Selection Programme for Honeybee Queens (Apis Mellifera Carnica) 2025–2029. Given that the previous programme expired at the end of 2024, a new programme was developed for the next five years, outlining objectives, methods, and technological procedures for its implementation. The primary purpose of the programme is to conduct organized and strategic breeding and selection efforts to improve the production and genetic potential of Carniolan honeybee queens and preserve the biological diversity (ecotypes) of the Carniolan honeybee in Montenegro.

As noted during the session, Carniolan honeybees have been bred in Montenegro for many years. Due to their favourable morphological and behavioral characteristics, these bees are widely cultivated throughout the southeastern Alpine region and across the Balkan Peninsula. Over time, various ecotypes of the Carniolan honeybee have evolved in different environmental (geographic and climatic) conditions. Given the importance of beekeeping as a key agricultural and economic activity in Montenegro, the need for its strategic development, and the legal obligation to create a comprehensive breeding and selection programme, the Cabinet has adopted the Breeding and Selection Programme for Honeybee Queens (Apis Mellifera Carnica) for 2025–2029.