Government of Montenegro: The Law on Local Self-Government lays the foundations for a new model of state governance

The Government of Montenegro today adopted the Draft Law on Local Self-Government, which, as announced after the session, lays the foundations of a new model of state governance and strengthens the role of municipalities as partners in development and the quality of life of citizens.

At the 126th session of the Government, chaired by the Vice Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić, it was assessed that this is one of the most important reform laws in the field of public administration and decentralization in modern Montenegro.

The Government stated that the goal of the reform is to make the state closer to citizens, and local self-government more efficient, responsible, and functional.

"The draft law lays the foundations for a new model of state governance - a model in which local governments are not just executors of decisions from the center, but strong development partners, responsible for the quality of life of citizens and capable of independently managing their potential," it was announced after the session.

It is added that the law is aligned with Montenegro's priorities in negotiations with the European Union, especially in the areas of decentralization, professionalization of public administration, digitalization and strengthening the transparency of institutions.

The Government today adopted several regulations in the field of protection and risk management, including the Regulation on the List of Disasters, the Regulation on a Single Methodology for Assessing Damage, Losses and Needs after a Disaster, and the Regulation on Sectoral Criteria for Determining Critical Infrastructure.

As explained, the adoption of the Regulation on the List of Disasters creates a normative framework that contributes to a more efficient disaster risk management system, improving preventive action, as well as a faster and more organized state response in situations that may have serious consequences for people's lives and health, property, infrastructure and the environment, while the Regulation on a Unified Methodology for Assessing Damage, Losses and Needs after a Disaster establishes a unified and reliable system for assessing damage, losses and needs after a disaster, all with the aim of more efficient recovery management, fairer allocation of aid, faster decision-making and stronger institutional readiness to respond to disaster situations, in accordance with the Law on Post-Disaster Reconstruction.

The adoption of the Regulation on Sectoral Criteria ensures the harmonization of domestic regulations with modern European standards in the field of security and resilience of critical infrastructure, the Government said.

"It also enables timely identification and protection of facilities and systems whose disruptions in operation may have serious consequences for security, economic stability, public health and the daily lives of citizens of Montenegro. The regulation represents an important instrument in the system of national security, civil protection and crisis management, and contributes to strengthening institutional resilience, risk prevention and a more efficient response to modern security challenges and threats," the statement added.

The Government also adopted the Information on the Agreement on the Adoption of the Spatial and Urban Plan of the Municipality of Tivat and accepted the text of the agreement by which the Government, at the initiative of the Municipality of Tivat, will take over the adoption of that planning document.

The plan will, as stated, be developed by the Spatial Planning Agency of Montenegro, while the Municipality of Tivat will provide 270 thousand euros for its development.

The session also adopted a Crisis Plan for Resolving Disruptions in the Supply of Petroleum Products, which defines procedures and responsibilities in the event of disruptions in the fuel market.

The Government also accepted an amendment to the Bill on Amendments to the Excise Tax Act, submitted to the Parliament by MP Tonći Janović. The amendment specifies the deadline for submitting a request for an excise tax refund, which will be 30 days from the end of the month in which the excise tax was paid. This contributes to greater legal certainty and more precise application of legal provisions by the customs authority, the Government said.

A decision was also made on changes to the Urban Planning Project "Drač - Fire Station - Zone A" in Podgorica. The changes envisage the cancellation of the planned public garage under the yard of the "Savo Pejanović" Elementary School, as well as the residential and commercial building along Hercegovačka Street.

The Government also adopted the Spatial Planning Program for 2026, which contains an overview of planning documents whose development is underway, as well as those whose development is planned, with the aim of harmonizing spatial development with the strategic goals of the state.

"The program, among other things, includes: spatial planning dynamics; measures of importance for the development of planning documents; sources of financing, deadlines and operational measures for the implementation of planning documents, as well as other measures aimed at implementing spatial planning policy," the statement said.

Also, a Regulation amending the Regulation on further sustainability criteria and greenhouse gas emission savings for biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels was adopted, which, as announced, further aligns domestic legislation with European Union standards in the field of energy and renewable energy sources.

"The discussion highlighted that the application of clearly defined criteria and verification systems will improve control of the biofuel market, prevent abuses and ensure that biofuels used in Montenegro achieve real and measurable savings in greenhouse gas emissions," the statement said.

The session also discussed personnel issues, so Goran Idrizović was appointed as the representative of the state capital at the Annual Assembly of the owners of the company "MOL Training Center (Europe)" from Bijela, while Miloš Nikolić was relieved of his duties as Acting Director General of the Directorate General for NATO and Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after which he was reappointed as Acting Director General in that position.