The Montenegrin Cabinet conducted its 71st session under the leadership of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. During this session, the Cabinet approved the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Concessions. This current legislation outlines the conditions, methods, and processes for granting concessions, along with related matters. The proposed changes specify that the realm of gaming is excluded from concession agreements. This adjustment aims to align with the Draft Law on Games of Chance, which was approved by the Montenegrin Cabinet on December 26, 2024. The new law establishes that the authority to organize gaming activities will be granted via a decision from the Government of Montenegro or an endorsement from the Administration for Games of Chance to businesses that meet the set criteria. Consequently, the Draft Law on Games of Chance confirms that such rights will not be assigned through a concession contract. Furthermore, these amendments are intended to eliminate any potential legal ambiguities and issues regarding the interpretation of regulations.

The Cabinet also accepted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Property-Legal Relations. The primary motivation for this law’s adoption is to synchronize it with the European Union’s legal framework, specifically the Stabilization and Association Agreement signed by Montenegro in 2007, which took effect in 2010, a year after the implementation of the current Law on Property-Legal Relations. This Agreement, as an international treaty, supersedes domestic law and necessitates equal treatment of EU citizens and Montenegrin citizens. The objective is to achieve full harmonization in this area to ensure EU citizens are treated equitably when the Stabilization and Association Agreement is no longer effective (following Montenegro’s EU membership). Article 1 of the Draft Law introduces a new Article 415a, which guarantees national treatment for natural and legal persons from EU member states regarding property ownership rights. Article 2 coincides with the amendment in Article 1 of the Draft Law.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Draft Law on Games of Chance. Amendment 1 expands Article 12 of the Draft Law to define the advertising practices of gaming operators, their services, and related benefits. This change facilitates a clearer interpretation of Article 17 of the Draft Law, which details prohibitions and allowances concerning advertising.

Amendment 2 revises Article 17, Paragraph 1 of the Draft Law to clearly specify advertising restrictions for gaming operators, their services, and benefits as outlined in Amendment 1.

Amendment 3 enhances Article 19 of the Draft Law by adding a new paragraph after paragraph 4 that empowers the Ministry to regulate, through bylaws, the detailed procedures for advertising on the exterior of gaming premises as described in paragraph 2 of this Article, as well as the external appearance of said premises as mentioned in paragraph 3.

Amendment 4 adjusts Article 22, paragraph 1 of the Draft Law to present a more thorough definition of educational institutions offering primary and secondary education, while also stating that the distance between gambling establishments and educational institutions must be at least 150 meters.

The Cabinet adopted amendments to the Draft Law on Energy, which includes 19 amendments, with Amendment 1 being notably significant. This amendment introduces a new chapter focusing on the Marking of petroleum-based liquid fuels and biofuels. It enforces the mandatory marking of fuels available on the Montenegrin market, including those for vessels in international transport. The guidelines for registering or recording storage facilities for petroleum products and biofuels intended for personal use with capacities exceeding two tons, as well as the supply stations for personal vehicles that do not need a license to conduct energy activities, are managed within a register upheld by the Ministry, aimed at monitoring and marking fuel for these entities as well. Additionally, it requires that fuel retailers supply only to registered fuel storage facilities. New provisions also establish an Inspector for Hydrocarbons who will oversee fuel marking and ensure compliance.

The Cabinet approved the Decree on Amendments to the Decree on Criteria and Methods for Granting the Status of Distinguished Cultural Creator. The impetus for these amendments arises from the outdated nature of the current regulation, which inadequately acknowledges artists and cultural professionals across various fields. The new regulation explicitly delineates the areas of cultural work. Moreover, the authority of professional associations has been enhanced, permitting them to independently propose candidates to the Ministry for the grant of distinguished cultural creator status. The amendments also clarify the selection process for members of the expert commission, aligning it with regional best practices.

The Cabinet sanctioned the acquisition of the “Children’s Ward” building of the Institute Igalo following the Public call for real estate sales via bidding, issued on February 27, 2025. The Director of the Administration for State Property is assigned to make a purchase offer of €4,870,000 and to finalize the purchase agreement. The building, featuring a gross footprint of 1,897 m² and a total usable area of 4,685 m², will be repurposed for the development of a public-interest facility—a school—as outlined in the Restructuring Plan of the Institute Igalo. The necessity for a new school in Igalo has long been recognized as essential in Montenegro’s educational framework. Currently, over 120 Igalo students attend “Ilija Kisić” school, incurring €39,875 per year in transport costs due to the closure of a local branch at the Institute Igalo. Resolving this situation will improve educational conditions for Igalo students and ease the pressures on existing schools in Herceg Novi, thereby providing safer and more suitable learning environments for students.