Press release from the 66th Cabinet session

At today's 66th session, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, the Montenegrin Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on amendments to the Law on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These amendments aim to align with the general principles of the Council of Europe in this area and to gradually harmonize the transport of dangerous goods with European Union legislation. Additionally, the amendments define the establishment of the Council for Management and Coordination in the Transport of Dangerous Goods, including its composition and competencies. The proposed provisions, compared to the existing legal framework, achieve the following:

• Continuous monitoring of the transport of dangerous goods by all relevant institutions responsible for this area, facilitated through the work of the Council;
• Ongoing alignment and implementation of existing regulations with the solutions, norms, and recommendations set out in international agreements;
• Further harmonization with new changes present in other systemic regulations.

The Cabinet adopted the Decree amending the Decree on the method and amount of elements for determining the maximum prices of petroleum products. The key substantive change in the amendments is the introduction of a fee for mandatory reserves of petroleum products on unleaded gasoline Euro Super 98 and 95 and Eurodiesel. Other changes involve legal and technical adjustments to the previously valid act, without altering the obligations for importers or changing the amount of other pricing elements. The adoption of this Decree is a necessary prerequisite for fulfilling obligations prescribed under the Action Plan for establishing mandatory petroleum reserves, adopted by the Government on 26 December 2024. The Action Plan is a requirement within the first closing benchmark for Negotiation Chapter 15 – Energy, which pertains to aligning with EU legal acquis on mandatory petroleum reserves. The Law on the security of supply of petroleum products stipulates that the financing of mandatory reserves of petroleum products is ensured through a fee included in the sale price of these products. The fee is calculated and paid on the following derivatives: unleaded gasoline (tariff codes CN 2710 12 45 to 2710 12 49), gas oils (tariff codes CN 2710 19 41 to 2710 19 49), and liquefied petroleum gas (tariff codes CN 2711 12 11 00 to 2711 19 00 00). The fee is collected by petroleum product importers, and until the Government determines the exact fee amount, the current rate (excluding VAT) is set at 0.03 euros per liter for unleaded gasoline and Eurodiesel and 0.03 euros per kilogram for liquefied petroleum gas.

The Cabinet adopted the Decree on the amount of costs for the procedure of issuing permits for the marketing and use of biocidal products. The decree introduces a clearly defined cost structure aligned with EU legislation and best practices, ensuring legal certainty and facilitating the implementation of regulatory obligations in the field of biocidal products. The decree stipulates that the applicants will bear the costs of the procedures, ensuring the financial sustainability of the system without imposing an additional burden on the state budget. This decree represents another step toward aligning Montenegro with EU standards and strengthening regulatory capacities, which is crucial for European integration. The decree introduces clearly defined fees for various procedures related to the approval of biocidal products, distinguishing between costs for new product approvals, license renewals, and modifications. A significantly reduced fee is provided for products and documentation that have already been evaluated or approved in the EU, encouraging harmonization with European legislation and facilitating access for international manufacturers. The decree also enhances the organization of administrative processes through transparent financing, covering expert evaluations and the engagement of necessary resources.

The Cabinet adopted a Decision amending the Decision on temporary measures for limiting the prices of products of special importance for life and health. This decision extends the "Limited Prices" action until 30 April 2025. Since its launch on 6 September 2024, this comprehensive price control measure has applied to hundreds of products grouped into 73 categories across all major retail chains. The selection of products was designed to provide tangible benefits to citizens, with a focus on essential goods included in the Consumer Basket Index, while also considering Montenegro’s economy, which is predominantly service-based and highly dependent on imports. This balance ensures that price controls do not negatively impact businesses. Consumer price index data for December 2024 showed a 0.1% average decrease compared to November, with a notable 1.1% drop in food and non-alcoholic beverages, indicating deflation in that category. According to Eurostat, Montenegro is among the countries with the lowest inflation rates in Europe, with higher inflation recorded in Germany, France, Spain, Greece, and Croatia. Given the wide scope of the "Limited Prices" initiative, which applies to over 80% of retail outlets in Montenegro, the Government is confident that the measure has stabilized prices for essential goods while ensuring continued market supply without negatively impacting businesses.

The Cabinet adopted the Programme for the development of ski resorts in Montenegro for 2025, assigning the Ministry of Tourism to allocate €300,000 for this purpose and issue a public call in accordance with the Programme. The objective is to create a more favourable business environment, boost the quality and competitiveness of Montenegro’s tourism sector, and diversify the country’s winter tourism offerings. This initiative aims to increase employment in tourism and hospitality, enhance Montenegro’s overall tourism product, and contribute to the country’s economic growth. The public call will enable businesses to improve their operations, increase economic activity, and raise standards at ski resorts.

The Cabinet adopted an Information on the settlement of liabilities due on 21 January 2025, within credit arrangements between Crnogorska Plovidba and China's Exim Bank, as well as Barska Plovidba and China's Exim Bank, for which the State issued guarantees. Accordingly, the Government accepted China Exim Bank’s request for the settlement of due obligations under the guarantee issued for a preferential loan agreement for the purchase of two ships between China Exim Bank and Crnogorska Plovidba, totaling $2,406,136. The Government also approved the settlement of obligations under a loan agreement for the purchase of two ships between China Exim Bank and Barska Plovidba, amounting to $1,815,442.

The Cabinet adopted an Information on the initiative to establish physical security for people, facilities, and property in educational institutions in Montenegro, approving €800,000 for this initiative.

The Cabinet approved an Information on the implementation of the electricity bill subsidy programme, along with Guidelines for its implementation for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2025. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography has been assigned to implement the programme. During the January–December 2024 period, the total amount of subsidies provided under this programme was €3,797,869.28.