The Government of Montenegro today adopted proposals for amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges, the State Prosecutor's Office, and the Law on the Constitutional Court, which stipulate that the right of judges and prosecutors to a salary supplement for their position is extended until the end of next year.
The Government announced that the amendments to the law stem from the principle that judges and state prosecutors have the right to a salary in accordance with the dignity of the judicial office and the responsibility of a judge.
It is stated that the salaries of judges and prosecutors guarantee their independence and material security, so the only possible interim solution found was to prescribe an addition to the function in organizational laws in order to increase the salaries of judges until the Law on Salaries and Other Rights Related to the Performance of Judicial and Constitutional Court Functions is adopted.
"The amendments stipulate that the right of judges and prosecutors to a salary supplement for their position is extended until December 31, 2026," the statement says.
The Government today also adopted a Proposal for Amendments to the Law on Arbitration, which, as announced, will create the conditions for arbitration to be recognized as an important instrument for resolving disputes not only among business entities in Montenegro, but also among foreign investors.
"The greater presence of arbitration in dispute resolution will improve the business environment and increase legal certainty for investments in Montenegro," the statement said.
It is stated that the goal of this law is also to better position Montenegro as a candidate for membership in the European Union (EU).
The Government today also approved the Draft Law on Geological Exploration with the Report from the Public Discussion.
They stated that the reason for adopting the new Law was to align it with the current situation in the field of geological exploration, since practice has shown that there are certain shortcomings and gaps in the application of the current Law from 2011.
"This law prescribes the types and manner of conducting geological research, the manner in which geological research of interest to Montenegro is conducted, the competencies of the Public Institution, the Institute for Geological Research, the competencies of the geological inspection, and prescribes penal provisions," the statement says.
As stated, the goal of the new Law on Geological Exploration is to redefine procedures related to the performance of geological exploration for the purpose of greater efficiency in their implementation, specifying responsibilities for the revision of the associated technical documentation.
"The adoption of the Law was undertaken, among other things, in order to harmonize the existing legal solution with the development of methods, techniques and technologies in the field of geological research, improve knowledge and the level of expertise in the field of geological research, and improve the protection of the environment and the health of citizens and protect the public interest," the statement added.
The government today established the basic and additional list of medicines.
It is stated that the need for continuous revision of the list of medicines is conditioned by progress in pharmacotherapy and the application of new technologies, which is of great importance for all patients in Montenegro.
"This is especially important for patients with malignant diseases, autoimmune diseases (especially in the fields of pediatric pathology, oncology, neurology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, hematology, etc.), chronic, non-communicable and infectious diseases," the statement says.
It is emphasized that these diseases were, in the not-so-distant past, the main cause of mortality and disability, and today they are successfully controlled with innovative medicines.
The Government explained that the adoption of the Decision on Establishing the Basic and Additional List of Medicines does not only relate to improving treatment outcomes and improving the quality of life, but also to the family, social and economic productivity that it enables.
"The adoption of this Decision will solve several problems, which primarily relate to more adequate and modern pharmacotherapeutic treatment of sick people, but also to the healthcare system in general," the Government said.
They added that the revision of the drug list includes the addition of nine new drugs by INN, 24 generic drugs, as well as two additions to the indications for drugs that were already on the drug list.
At today's Government session, a Decision was also adopted on the establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group for the establishment of a mechanism for the safety of journalists.
The discussion highlighted that the formation of this body will enable a systematic, coordinated and inclusive approach to addressing the issue of journalist safety, as well as improving the institutional framework and practice.
"The establishment of the Interdepartmental Working Group provides a forum for continuous dialogue and cooperation between representatives of state authorities and the media, with the possibility of including other relevant institutions, experts and civil society organizations," the statement said.
It is stated that the working group consists of two media representatives, who are the president and deputy president, and members are representatives of the General Secretariat of the Government, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Basic State Prosecutor's Office and two other media representatives.
As it is emphasized, the tasks of the Working Group include the analysis of the existing institutional, normative and operational framework in the field of journalist safety, continuous monitoring (establishment of a rapid response system), and provision of free legal and psychological support.
It is added that the tasks of the Working Group include analyzing and finding an institutional framework for the future mechanism, identifying challenges, risks and shortcomings in the actions of the competent authorities, as well as proposing specific measures and mechanisms to improve the safety of journalists, including measures of prevention, protection and efficient institutional response.
"Special emphasis is placed on developing recommendations and, if necessary, proposals for amendments or the adoption of new acts, in order to strengthen cooperation and trust between state authorities and the media community," the statement said.
It is concluded that the decision to establish the Working Group represents a justified, necessary and systemic response of the Government of Montenegro to the challenges in this area.
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