The government formed the Coordinating Body to monitor the "Europe Now" program: Milatović president, Abazović deputy

At today's session, the Government of Montenegro made a decision on the formation of a Coordinating Body to monitor the "Europe Now" program, and the President of that Coordinating Body will be Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatović, while his deputy will be Advisor to the Prime Minister Dejan Abazović, the Government announced today.

"In addition to the President and Deputy President, the members of the Coordination Body will be: Janko Odović - State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare, Branko Krvavac - State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare, Milena Lipovina-Božović - State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development, Boris Marić - State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights, Biljana Peranović - Acting General Director of the Directorate for Tax and Customs System in the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare, Milena Petričević - Acting Director of the Revenue and Customs Administration, Ilir Harasani - Acting Director of the Directorate for Inspections affairs, Ana Vujošević - acting assistant director of the Administration for Inspection Affairs and head of the Department for International Cooperation, Svetlana Vukićević - head of the Department for electronic declarations in the Revenue and Customs Administration, Ratko Milić - independent advisor I in the Revenue and Customs Administration, Predrag Nešković - representative of the Administration for inspection affairs, Ilija Mugoša - advisor in the Cabinet of the President of the Government of Montenegro, Jevrosima Pejović - acting general director of the Directorate for Labor and Employment in the Ministry of Economic Development, Irena Joksimović - head of the Directorate for Labor Relations in the Ministry of Economic Development, Filip Lazović - advisor for legal issues and social dialogue in the Union of Employers of Montenegro, Miljan Šestović - Director of the Department for Research and Analysis in the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Duško Zarubica - General Secretary in the Union of Trade Unions of Montenegro, Naida Kašić - Associate in the Cabinet of the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare, as and representatives of the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro and non-governmental organizations," the Government announcement states.

The Government added that the tasks of the Coordination Body will be: monitoring and coordination of activities within the implementation of the "Europe Now" program, as well as monitoring, in cooperation with competent authorities and institutions, the elimination of reported irregularities during the implementation of the program.

"The task of the Coordinating Body will be to submit a half-yearly report on the implemented activities to the Government of Montenegro. The Coordinating Body will meet as needed, at least once a month," the announcement reads.

The Government also said that it was concluded that the Coordinating Body can request data, explanations and reports from competent authorities and institutions regarding issues related to the "Europe Now" program, and that, if necessary, engage representatives of other authorities, institution and organization, as well as experts who participate in the work of that body, without decision-making rights.

"It is also foreseen, as a possibility, the formation of smaller operational teams that will monitor the implementation of the activities. The coordination body will organize the first meeting tomorrow, at eight o'clock, while the first press conference will be organized at nine o'clock and 30 minutes, in the Press Center of the Government of Montenegro At the press conference, the Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatović, in his capacity as the President of the Coordinating Body; Advisor to the Prime Minister Dejan Abazović, in his capacity as Deputy President; and State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare Branko Krvavac, in his capacity as a member of the Coordinating Body, will address the press. in the announcement of the Government.

At the last session last year, the Assembly adopted a set of laws, the implementation of which will have a significant impact on the operations of the Montenegrin economy, in the context of the implementation of the "Europe Now" economic program.

According to the "Europe Now" program, the minimum wage for employees in Montenegro has increased since January to 450 euros from the previous 250 euros.

The program introduced numerous measures related to the relief of the tax burden on work, the abolition of health care contributions, as well as the introduction of a non-taxable portion of earnings up to 700 euros. Also, progressive taxation is introduced when it comes to personal income tax and corporate profit tax.