Government: Two planes and two helicopters needed for firefighting, medical evacuations, search and rescue...

The Government of Montenegro has tasked the relevant ministries and institutions to examine the market and submit a proposal for the most favorable offer for the procurement of two multi-purpose aircraft and two helicopters for firefighting, evacuation, search and rescue.

At its session today, the Government adopted Information on the need to procure two multi-purpose aircraft and two multi-purpose helicopters for firefighting, medical evacuation, search and rescue, the needs of the Police Directorate, strategic transport and the transport of persons.

The Information states that the existing helicopter resources within the Directorate for Protection and Rescue do not provide sufficient capacity to effectively suppress large fires, especially in conditions of climate change that are leading to increasingly frequent and intense fire seasons.

"The acquisition of two multi-purpose helicopters would ensure more stable operational availability and reduce dependence on a technically outdated fleet," the government said in a statement.

It is added that this would also enable the unhindered execution of search and rescue tasks, medical evacuation, firefighting, flights for the needs of the Police Directorate, transportation of rescue and intervention teams, support for the population in emergency situations and support for other state bodies.

The information states that it is necessary to provide aircraft that, in addition to helicopters, would represent a key component of the air segment of the protection and rescue system.

It is added that the procurement of such aircraft would systematically improve the capacity to respond to natural and other disasters, especially open-air fires.

"It would also enable rapid medical evacuation, improving the emergency medical assistance system at the national level and at the same time reducing dependence on regional assistance mechanisms during the fire season, thus ensuring greater sovereign response capacity," the statement said.

The Government said that this procurement would contribute to strengthening the strategic mobility of the Montenegrin Army as one of the key NATO capability goals, enable the rapid transport of military units and equipment within international missions and operations, as well as for civil protection needs in emergency situations.

"On this occasion, the competent ministries and other institutions are tasked, through interdepartmental working groups, to conduct market research and submit a proposal for the most favorable offer for the procurement of the aforementioned aircraft," the Government stated.

The Government today adopted the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Notaries.

The discussion highlighted that the reason for adopting this law was to harmonize it with the Law on Same-Sex Life Partnerships in order to create conditions for the exercise of the rights of partners in same-sex life partnerships.

At today's Government session, amendments to the Decision on the introduction of international restrictive measures established by decisions of the Council of the European Union (EU) and EU regulations regarding the situation in Belarus and that country's involvement in Russia's aggression against Ukraine were adopted.

The discussion emphasized that the changes are part of a 20-pack of restrictive measures introduced by the EU Council on April 23, which are aimed at increasing pressure on the Russian Federation with the intention of stopping the aggression against Ukraine.

The Government has adopted a Decision on the establishment of a Coordination Body for Monitoring and Improving Cooperation with the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

"Based on the importance of the OIF as a platform for political dialogue, educational, cultural and economic cooperation, as well as its role in promoting democratic values, human rights and sustainable development, the need for further strengthening of Montenegro's institutional capacities in this area has been recognized," the statement said.

It is stated that the coordination body aims to ensure effective coordination of activities, improve interdepartmental cooperation and define strategic guidelines for Montenegro's actions within the Francophonie, including activities aimed at improving its status in the OIF.

It is added that this body will contribute to better preparation and implementation of joint initiatives, better use of the opportunities provided by the OIF in the areas of education, youth mobility and professional development, as well as more visible promotion of Francophone activities at the national and international levels.

The Government adopted the Report on the Implementation of International Development Cooperation and the Delivery of International Humanitarian Aid for the past year.

The discussion highlighted that Montenegro's current position in the system of international development cooperation and humanitarian aid has a double dimension.

As announced, on the one hand, Montenegro is a beneficiary of development support, thanks to which it has achieved significant results in the past two decades, and on the other hand, it is increasingly taking on the role of a donor, which represents a natural continuation of its development and confirmation of the country's European orientation.

The Report states that over the past year, Montenegro continued to contribute to the achievement of the goals of international development cooperation and the provision of humanitarian assistance through the activities of state institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

"Total funds recognized as official development assistance amounted to 1.248.800 euros, and were realized through humanitarian aid, development cooperation programs, technical support and knowledge transfer, as well as through membership fees and voluntary contributions to international organizations," the statement said.

At today's session, the Government also adopted a Regulation on maximum permitted quantities of contaminants in food for the purpose of efficient implementation of the Food Safety Law and harmonisation with the EU acquis in this area.

"The adoption of this regulation is one of the conditions for the closure of negotiations in Negotiating Chapter 12 - Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy," the statement added.