Press release from the 95th Cabinet session

The Montenegrin Cabinet held its 95th session, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić. The Cabinet adopted the Report on the implementation of the Action Plan for fulfilling the recommendations from the European Commission's 2024 Report on Montenegro, for the second quarter of 2025. The Report, structured in a tabular format across all six clusters, follows the structure of the European Commission's Report. It also includes the status of activities that were not implemented in the first quarter of 2025. Preparation of the second Report on the Action Plan's implementation is an integral part of the monitoring mechanism of obligations arising from the EC Report recommendations, designed to enable the Government to undertake corrective measures in cases of delays in meeting defined commitments. The status of implementation is monitored only for activities with deadlines in the second quarter of 2025, which are included in the statistical overview of the document, while activities with continuous deadlines remain monitored with brief explanations on undertaken steps and current status. The Report also provides a tabular overview of activities not implemented in the first quarter of 2025. According to this methodology, the statistics for the second quarter indicate that out of a total of 91 activities, 58 were implemented (63.74%), while 41 activities remain unimplemented (36.26%). This demonstrates that while the majority of planned activities have been fulfilled, responsible institutions should intensify their efforts to ensure timely completion of all commitments under the negotiation process, ultimately aimed at closing all negotiating chapters by the end of 2026.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on amendments to the Law on the Removal and Transplantation of Human Tissues and Cells for Medical Treatment. The primary reason for adopting this law is to further align Montenegro's legislation with European Union rules in the area of tissue and cell transplantation, in accordance with the European Commission's comments, which represents a condition for meeting the second closing benchmark for Chapter 28 - Consumer and Health Protection. In addition, the amendments clarify specific issues concerning the law's implementation, particularly regarding the ethical aspects of such procedures. Accordingly, it has been specified that a living donor of tissues and cells for transplantation may be a relative by blood in the direct line (child, parent, grandparent) and in the collateral line up to the fourth degree (siblings, aunts/uncles and their children), as well as a spouse or common-law partner, including a same-sex partner. Provisions also regulate cases of non-relative donations, which must be based on the fundamental principles of tissue and cell donation for medical purposes: donor and recipient consent; donation exclusively for treatment; non-commercial donation, and, above all, altruistic donation without financial or other compensation, with free will expressed. Therefore, the Draft Law prescribes that, in cases of donations from living donors in special friendship, emotional, or similar relationships with the recipient, the Ministry will decide based on the opinion of the Bioethics Committee, a professional advisory body comprised of prominent experts in medicine, medical ethics, psychology, social welfare, law, and other relevant fields. In this way, particular importance is attached to the ethical and altruistic dimensions of such procedures, preventing possible abuses relating to trafficking in human tissues and cells.

The Cabinet the Draft Law on Climate Change. The drafting of the new law aims to further harmonise Montenegro's framework with the EU acquis. Until now, climate change matters were regulated by the Law on Protection against Adverse Impacts of Climate Change adopted in 2019. An analysis of its implementation and accompanying bylaws highlighted the need for further improvements and alignment with EU legislation. Furthermore, changes in EU energy and climate policy since 2019 - particularly the adoption of more ambitious climate targets and clearer measures under initiatives such as the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package - justify the adoption of a new law. The new Law is necessary to strengthen protection against the negative impacts of climate change and contribute to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, thereby implementing the long-term temperature goal under Article 2(1)(a) of the Paris Agreement and providing a framework for progress towards the global adaptation goal set out in Article 7.

It will also ensure Montenegro fulfils its obligations under the Energy Community's Decarbonisation Roadmap. The new Law will set the course for climate protection through two key strategies - the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan - and will strengthen institutional coordination, improve climate finance management, mobilise and allocate resources, as well as enhance monitoring and accountability.

The Cabinet adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Quality Schemes for Agricultural and Food Products. The adoption of this law is necessary to meet Montenegro's obligations under Chapter 11 - Agriculture and Rural Development of the EU accession negotiations.

Among other things, the amended provisions introduce: clearer and broader definitions of the rights, obligations, goals, tasks, and responsibilities of producer associations registering collective quality schemes (designation of origin, geographical indications, and guaranteed traditional specialties);

clearer allocation of responsibilities between the Ministry, the Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Authority, and inspection services, ensuring more effective functioning in line with EU expert recommendations; stronger consumer protection against misuse and imitation of product names; preservation of traditional agricultural and food production in Montenegro; protection of intellectual property rights; improved promotion of authentic and traditional Montenegrin agricultural and food products, with greater involvement of distribution and tourism sectors.

The Cabinet adopted the Information on Regulating the Use of State Property for the Implementation of Energy Projects and approved Annex No. 3 to the Concession Agreement for the construction of small hydropower plants "Bjelojevićka 1" and "Bjelojevićka 2" on the Bjelojevićka watercourse. The Information notes that, during implementation, overlaps occurred between the project documentation for the SHPP construction (pipeline and power cable routes) and the documentation for the regional road Mojkovac - Lubnica - Berane, requiring harmonisation. As a result, after the Government previously accepted two annexes to the concession agreement, the agreements were concluded with the concessionaire, C&S Energy from Podgorica, enabling further contract implementation. However, delays occurred due to unresolved property issues on state-owned land, preventing revision of the modified main project for SHPP "Bjelojevićka 2". The new Annex stipulates, among other things, that the second phase (construction phase) will last 12 months from the issuance of a positive review report on the revised main project. It also prescribes that, to enable contract implementation, the Conceding Party grants the Concessionaire approval to lay pipelines and cables necessary for project implementation and obtaining an operating permit for the SHPP on cadastral plot 1734, which is state-owned, for the duration of the concession agreement.

The Cabinet adopted the Decision on Amendments to the Decision on determining ministries entitled to have state secretaries. At the initiative of the Ministry of European Affairs, and given the complexity and scope of responsibilities within this department, the amendment stipulates that the Ministry shall have two state secretaries.