The Montenegrin Cabinet convened for its 70th session today, led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

The Cabinet reviewed the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Administrative Disputes. This law’s adoption was prompted by issues arising in its practical implementation, which have affected the efficiency of administrative disputes and judicial protection. Observations indicate an increasing number of cases before the Administrative Court, significant judge workloads, numerous oral hearings, a rise in requests for expedited proceedings, and substantial financial compensations for violations of the right to a timely trial in administrative matters. To tackle these challenges, a project was launched in collaboration with the OECD/SIGMA organization to enhance court operations and bring national laws in line with the European administrative legal framework. Two analyses were performed as part of this project, evaluating the functioning of the Law on Administrative Disputes and pinpointing related issues. These analyses underscored the need to amend this law to boost court efficiency and align judicial practices with the European Court of Human Rights, particularly concerning the right to a timely trial as stipulated in Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Ultimately, these amendments aim to enhance court efficiency, focusing on the speed and duration of case resolutions while safeguarding citizens’ rights to a timely trial.

The Cabinet also approved the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Museum Activities. The existing law has not been amended until now, but recent years have revealed certain ambiguities, necessitating clarification of specific legal provisions. The amendments aim to refine the normative framework, establishing modern standards in museum activities, especially for individuals with disabilities. The rationale for these amendments includes promoting gender sensitivity, clarifying terms and definitions in museum contexts, outlining procedures for the establishment of museums by religious communities, and aligning material and penal provisions.

Additionally, the Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Library Activities. Library activities are governed by European legislation and international conventions, and the proposed amendments seek to harmonize this law with the Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty, which facilitates access to published works for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print-disabled. The Marrakesh Treaty underscores principles of non-discrimination, equal opportunities, accessibility, and full social inclusion, all of which are also affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Given the barriers that visually impaired individuals and other print-disabled persons encounter in accessing published materials, there is a pressing need to enhance the availability of accessible format materials and improve their circulation at both the domestic and international levels. The new law will formally recognize the National Library for the Blind of Montenegro as the central institution responsible for accessible format libraries. This institution will oversee the registration of authorized entities for producing accessible formats and ensure compliance with Braille labeling for medicines and other public-use items.

The Cabinet adopted the Decree on the Conditions and Procedures for Exemption from Import Duties. Following the enactment of the Customs Law on July 30, 2022, a new decree was necessary to specify conditions and procedures for duty exemptions, further refining the regulatory framework. This decree aligns duty exemption conditions with European standards. While the current decree is largely in harmony with European regulations, this new regulation aims to clarify practical ambiguities and enhance technical provisions. Changes include simplifying procedures by enabling government authorities to certify duty exemption eligibility, thereby reducing administrative burdens. A new provision has also been added to outline exemptions for diplomatic and consular entities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, including standardized exemption certificates issued by competent authorities.

Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the Information regarding compensation payments to KfW Bank for extending the availability period of loan funds for the Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Project in the Coastal Region, Phases V and V-2, and accepted the bank’s letter confirming the extension. This crucial infrastructure project, initiated in 2003 in partnership with the Government of Montenegro, KfW Bank, and coastal municipalities (Herceg Novi, Kotor, Bar, Ulcinj, and Tivat), aims to enhance water supply and sewage infrastructure in these areas, thus improving service efficiency, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism development. Nonetheless, project implementation has faced delays due to administrative hurdles, slow progress, inflation, and property-related issues. KfW Bank has granted an extension for loan availability until December 30, 2027.

The Cabinet also adopted the Plan for Concession Grants for Detailed Geological Exploration and Mineral Resource Exploitation for 2025. This plan outlines several deposits, including construction stone, architectural stone, lignite coal, and cement marl across various municipalities. These concessions are anticipated to bolster the development of the mining and industrial sectors, ensuring energy stability. Moreover, the Government is reviewing the renewal of a concession for the Pljevlja Coal Mine as the current agreement is set to expire in June 2025.

The Cabinet addressed the outstanding claims of former workers from “Prva Petoljetka” in Bijelo Polje. The company entered bankruptcy in 2006, and the liquidation of assets yielded €1.65 million. However, after settling liabilities, only €504 remained, leaving 191 workers unpaid a total of €141,964. The Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Dialogue has been assigned to seek a resolution for settling these claims.

The Cabinet also adopted an Information document outlining short-term measures to revitalize the beach and construct artificial dunes at Ada Bojana to prevent erosion damage to HTP “Ulcinjska rivijera” in Ulcinj. The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property is charged with executing these measures within established deadlines, utilizing deposited sand from Ada Bojana. The Cabinet has further designated the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management to oversee these initiatives.

The Cabinet proposed four amendments to the Draft Law on Spatial Planning, including adjustments to maritime spatial planning data requirements in accordance with Directive 2014/89/EU. Additional amendments clarify the process for the adoption of local planning documents and rectify discrepancies with existing legal frameworks.

The Cabinet approved modifications to the Detailed Urban Plan for Petnjica, encompassing an area of 23.59 hectares. These amendments will require a strategic environmental impact assessment, as per the Law on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment. The project will be funded with €20,000 from the state budget, with a completion deadline of six months from signing the contract with the project leader. The aim is to create planning conditions that facilitate better organization and use of space to address user needs.

The amendments to the Spatial-Urban Plan for the Municipality of Šavnik were also approved, covering an approximate area of 554.69 square kilometers. These amendments aim to ensure sustainable development through a careful evaluation of the area’s significance and determine the optimal level of construction in alignment with planning guidelines and higher-level planning documents. Similar to the project in Petnjica, this plan will undergo an environmental impact assessment, with development financed by €70,000 from the state budget. The deadline for completion is also set at six months from the signing of the contract.

In response to rising prices of essential goods, the Cabinet established a Coordination Body tasked with monitoring and analyzing price trends, ensuring market supply, and proposing measures to mitigate the effects of price increases. Led by Minister of Economic Development Nik Gjeloshaj, this body was formed in light of notable inflation and the consequent rise in essential product costs. Previously, the Government implemented measures to control inflation, including a decision to temporarily cap retail and wholesale margins on 73 categories of essential goods. However, challenges such as trade chain boycotts have emerged, necessitating ongoing monitoring and analysis. Given the potential long-term effects of these boycotts on domestic producers, consumers, businesses, and the overall economy, the Government emphasized the urgency of engaging all relevant stakeholders to address the situation.