Prime Minister Dusko Markovic demanded a swift response to the illegal construction issue in Montenegro. He pointed out that the issue was particularly evident in Ulcinj, the government stated after a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
On this occasion, the government adopted a working conclusion tasking the vice president for political system, internal and foreign policy Zoran Pazin with setting up a working team which will include members of Inspection Directorate, prosecutor offices and local authorities in addition to representatives of relevant ministries in order to coordinate activities and work efficiently.
As said, the PM stated that he saw no higher priority than action in this field.
“During the discussion in which several ministers participated, it was found that a violation of regulations, and in some cases environment devastation, inflicts serious damage to national resources and Montenegro’s strategic commitment to valorize resources for the benefit of whole community,” reads the announcement released after the cabinet meeting.
The government also adopted 2017-2022 general plan for protection against harmful effects of water, for the waters of importance for Montenegro, which defines the preventive and operational measures, establishes the organisational structure, in order to reduce the vulnerability of human lives, material assets, the environment, cultural heritage and the economy against the adverse effects of water.
The government also adopted the Programme of encouraging projects in the water sector for 2017.
“The funds referred to in this document have been planned by the Law on Budget of Montenegro for 2017 totalling €1,050,000. The largest share of it, amounting to €975,000, is allocated for financing support for construction of water supply systems in rural areas, with the participation of municipalities and residents in local communities where the construction is planned. The programme includes the construction of 49 water supply systems, hydrogeological explorations and the construction of surface reservoirs in order to create better living and working conditions in rural areas,” the government stated.
The government also adopted 2016 report on the work of the Forest Administration and forest management programme for 2017.
The government was also presented the report of the Commission for monitoring actions of competent authorities in the investigation of cases of threats and violence against journalists, murders of journalists and attacks on media property for the period from 23 September 2016 – 23 January 2017.
“It was concluded that the Commission went beyond the scope of their competence established by the Decision on establishing the commission, when decided include the Jovo Martinovic case in its scope of competence. Martinovic does not have the status of a damaged party, but he is the defendant in the proceedings before the High Court in Podgorica launched by the state prosecutor’s office. He has been charged with creating a criminal organisation in concurrence with the criminal offense of unauthorised production, possession and distribution of narcotic drugs”, the government stated.
