Through the program for improving the competitiveness of the economy for 2024, which is worth 3.000.000 euros, work will be done on improving competitiveness, strengthening production, greening and developing municipalities, said Minister of Economic Development Nik Đeljošaj.
He announced this at the press conference after the Government session, where this document was adopted. He explained that the program will have four program lines of support for the improvement of production capacities, support for small investments, digitization and vouchers for women and young people in business.
The Minister of Energy and Mining Saša Mujović stated that the program for encouraging energy efficiency in households, which is worth 8,8 million euros, was also adopted. He added that 5,6 million of that money will be allocated to the north of Montenegro, in order for that region to develop economically and reduce pollution, especially in Pljevlja.
Through the program, subsidies will be offered for heat pumps, electronic devices, facades, air conditioners, replacement of carpentry... Mujović added that the implementation of the program will begin next week. He also stated that they are also considering the launch of the Solari Sjever program, which would enable citizens in that region to pay off solar panels in 85 installments instead of the current 70.
Đeljošaj said that the Igalo Institute was also discussed at the Government session, and that they do not want to rush to offer illegal state aid to that institution. He told the workers of the Institute to show patience because the Government will solve the problem of that health institution.
"I expect that at the beginning of next week, the Commission will sit and start implementing what were the conclusions from the last session, we ask for patience, the Government is working on it," he said.
All options on the table for Željezara
Mujović pointed out that it is not a bad message, that on the second public call, one and unsatisfactory offer arrived, for the lease of the Čeličana and Kovačnica plant of Nikšić Željezara. He believes that this shows the seriousness of the department and the Government, to solve this issue in a real economically sustainable way.
"We were able to do what many people did before us, to go to Željezar, to hand over the plant to anyone, to take a victory picture, walk around and hug the workers, and let the problems remain," he said.
He stated that in the terms of the public invitation, they highlighted what they were looking for, and that they wanted partners and guarantees, which they did not get this time, so they did not provide the plants at any cost. He believes that Željeraza has a perspective and that they will now negotiate with those who expressed interest in public invitations and those who submitted letters of intent. Mujović stated that he will discuss leasing the facility again, but perhaps under different conditions.
"The conditions were very strict, and some expressed interest in including the possibility of building a solar power plant there in the offer package. We will negotiate, maybe we will find a model to assign it to someone, along with the Steel and Blacksmiths," he said.
Mujović pointed out that finding a strategic partnership is also an option, which according to him is the best option. He emphasized that all options are on the table, including the sale of Željezara, but that he will consider it if all other options are exhausted.
They are waiting for Brskovo at the end of May
Mujović reminded that for the concessionaire "Tara resources", which wants to open the Brskovo mine in Mojkovac, the deadline for statements expires on May 25. He stated that the company can terminate the contract by agreement or submit a feasibility study, and that if this does not happen, the contract will be terminated by them.
He stated that they had a meeting with the concessionaires and that it was offered to enter into an "NDA" (non-disclosure agreement), to negotiate a mutual termination in secret.
"That is not acceptable for us. I don't want secrecy or confidentiality, this is transparent, I want everything to be known," he stated.
Mujović added that they are waiting for the end of May to see what the final decision will be.
Former employees of "Košuta" without papers
Đeljošaj was asked what will happen to the former workers of the Cetinje factory "Košuta", he said that he honestly did not know. He stated that he had a meeting with them and their lawyer, Peter Martinović, and that they had a nice conversation, but that they had no documentation. He pointed out that he asked for the paperwork and that they had an agreement to work on the problem, but that the workers later presented different impressions of the meeting in front of the cameras.
"He is a lawyer when he goes out, he likes to make a show in front of the media. When I saw that we don't have two serious sides, I didn't deal with the issue in detail. Those are issues for the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare," he said and added that it is possible that it is a political action.
The former employees of "Košuta" are demanding the payment of nine unpaid salaries for 693 employees, in the amount of 2.806.650 euros, and the connection of seniority for 81 of them.
Asked about the decision of the court in Strasbourg, that the state must pay over 2,1 million euros in the next three months out of a total of over seven million claimed by the former employees of "Radoj Dakić", Đeljoša stated that the issue has not yet been discussed at the Government session. .
"Kosovo issue for PES"
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently adopted by a majority of votes, the draft opinion on the admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe. Minister for European Affairs Maida Gorčević previously said that Montenegro would support Kosovo's entry, but Vasilije Čarapić from the Europe Now Movement (PES) abstained from the vote.
Đeljošaj was asked about the difference in attitudes within the ruling majority, he said that the issue of Kosovo is more for the Europe Movement now and that there is currently no more information. He added that the issue was discussed in the Government, but that the positions were different from the positions of the members of the Council of Europe. He pointed out that in a few days he will take a more rational look at the situation and decide on the issue.
Đeljošaj also confirmed that today the Government reached a conclusion to forward to the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) the documentation on the lobbying agreement that the former Government, headed by Dritan Abazović, concluded with the company Bipartizan Solution Inc. from Washington.
Bonus video:
