Press release from the 67th Cabinet session

At its 67th session, chaired by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, the Montenegrin Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on Ratification of the Agreement on Air Services between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The purpose of this law is to strengthen bilateral economic relations between Montenegro and Azerbaijan in the fields of tourism, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, transportation, and infrastructure. The agreement, signed on 4 February 2023, will come into effect once both contracting parties complete their internal legal procedures. Until then, the multilateral European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Agreement will remain in force. The agreement regulates air traffic cooperation between the two countries, addressing areas such as aviation security and safety, tariffs, user fees, and direct transit. Designated airlines from Montenegro and Azerbaijan will have the right to operate an unlimited number of weekly passenger and cargo flights in both directions, without restrictions on capacity or aircraft type.

The Cabinet adopted the Decree on amendments to the Decree on the establishment of internal audit in the public sector, aligning it with the Decree on the organization and functioning of state administration. The amendments take into account the nature, scope, and specificity of public sector operations. It was noted that the number of budget users at the central level required to establish a dedicated internal audit unit has increased from 23 to 31 due to the reorganization of state administration, which now includes a greater number of ministries and directorates.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on the status of conservation and activities in the Special Nature Reserve “Tivat Salina” for 2024. Based on data from the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management, collected through monitoring programmes, projects, and activities, as well as reports from other institutions and NGOs, it was concluded that the Tivat Salina Special Nature Reserve has maintained its conservation status since its designation as a protected area in 2008. Moreover, active management has further enhanced the condition of the reserve.

Recognizing the importance of Montenegro’s EU accession process, the Cabinet adopted the Information on the need to appoint a national IPA coordinator. In line with European Commission requirements and the Framework Financial Agreement for IPA III, the Government appointed Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević as the national IPA coordinator. The decision was based on her professional expertise and experience, ensuring the effective and uninterrupted management of EU funds.

The Cabinet adopted the Report on the work of the Commission for the assessment of damage from natural disasters for the period August–December 2024. The report highlights that the Commission issued 1,162 decisions during this period, of which 1,082 were implemented, while 80 remain unresolved due to incorrect bank account details provided by municipal commissions or individuals. A total of €378,776 was disbursed from the state budget, with an average compensation of €350 per claim. The Commission's efforts focus on providing financial assistance to affected citizens while ensuring responsible budget spending.

In a move aimed at optimizing public administration and reducing budget expenditures, the Cabinet adopted a Decision on establishing a Commission for the analysis and monitoring of service and temporary employment contracts in budget-funded entities. Given the significant budgetary allocations for such contracts and the need to streamline public administration, the Government launched an initiative to reduce these expenditures by 20% by the end of the year. The Commission will assess the necessity of existing and future contracts, ensure compliance with regulations, and evaluate financial allocations for such engagements. Additionally, all budget-funded entities must obtain prior approval from the Commission (for justification of contracts) and the Ministry of Finance (for budget availability) before signing service or temporary employment contracts. This measure is part of a broader effort to rationalize spending and optimize government administration while further reducing state budget expenditures.