Council Decision of 22 January 2007 on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Montenegro (2007/49/EC)

Internal market

Free movement of goods

• Complete the establishment of the legal and institutional set-up on standardisation, market surveillance, certification, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment in line with the European Community acquis communautaire to create conditions favourable to trade. Start adopting European standards.

• Establish internal consultation and notification mechanisms for new technical regulations prior to their adoption on measures having an impact on trade.

• Establish a legal framework and administrative capacity for active consumer and health protection in line with EU consumer and health policy.

• Continue the necessary reforms to comply with WTO rules and obligations in order to accelerate the WTO accession process.

Customs and taxation

• Further align customs legislation and procedures with the acquis. Continue to modernise the customs administrations in order to ensure a high level of administrative capacity and to fight against corruption, cross-border crime and fiscal evasion.

• Amend and implement legislation in the area of rules of origin in order to introduce a legal basis for the application of the EC rules of origin for the purposes of the autonomous trade measures, for this purpose ensure the provision of information and training to operators and customs officers.

• Further align tax legislation with the acquis. Improve implementation of tax laws, focusing on revenue collection and control in order to reduce tax fraud.

• Apply the principles of the code of conduct for business taxation and ensure that new tax measures are in conformity with those principles.

Competition

• Establish and provide adequate means for the operation of a competition authority with full functional independence.

• Strengthen the state aid framework and increase transparency, as a first step towards state aid control in line with the requirements of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Public procurement

• Implement an effective public procurement regime in line with EU principles, including in relation to remedies. Ensure full transparency of procedures, regardless of the value of the contract concerned, and non-discrimination between Montenegrin and EU suppliers.

• Ensure the establishment and functioning of the public procurement agency and review body and upgrade their administrative capacity; provide appropriate training of staff in contracting entities responsible for implementing procurement rules.

Intellectual property law

• Significantly strengthen the level of protection of intellectual property rights, in particular by adopting a comprehensive legal framework on intellectual property rights, including effective enforcement provisions, and by establishing an intellectual property rights office.

• Strengthen implementation and enforcement capacity in this field, including in border services, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

• Formally confirm participation in the main international agreements in the field of intellectual property law.

Financial services

• Strengthen the regulatory and supervisory framework for financial institutions and markets, consistent with current EU practices, in particular concerning the banking sector.

• Reinforce cooperation with the home supervisors of foreign banks with significant subsidiaries in Montenegro, including by concluding cooperation agreements.

Company law

• Strengthen enforcement of financial reporting requirements, in particular for financial institutions and listed companies.

Employment and social policies

• Upgrade the capacity of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare on policy formulation and monitoring, with emphasis on labour market integration of young people, women and vulnerable groups; upgrade performance management of active employment measures implemented by the Montenegrin employment service.

• Enhance the work of labour inspectorates to ensure health and safety at work.

• Step up efforts to promote quality in the education system and life-long learning.

• Continue improving the quality, efficiency and relevance of the higher education system and support its integration into the European Higher Education Area.