At the continuation of its 50th meeting held today, with attendance by the representatives of the proposer of the law and representatives of consumer units from the security and defence sector, the Security and Defence Committee considered the Proposal for the 2016 Budget Law of Montenegro, in part relating to the following consumer units: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, and National Security Agency, paying special attention to implementation of activities of institutions in this field, and funds required for their effective implementation in the upcoming year 2016.

Following the comprehensive discussion, the Committee, among other things, noted that the funds for consumer units in the security and defence sector in the Proposal for the 2016 Budget Law of Montenegro were realistically determined and estimated that they would enable implementation of the planned activities and conduct in accordance with the specified competencies. The Committee estimated positively the trend of increase in the planned amount of funds for the subject area, pointing out the importance of equipping and modernising in accordance with set out standards, and permanent strengthening of personnel and material capacities in the said sector in accordance with the NATO standards and achieving full interoperability of the defence and security sector.

The Committee also estimated as important the consideration of opportunities regarding finding solutions for modernising the Aviation and Helicopter Unit of the Ministry of Interior.

Particularly taking into consideration the significance of preventive action regarding lowering the risk of fire, the Committee pointed out the necessity for allocating additional funds for procuring an aircraft for firefighting in relation to funds proposed for the consumer unit Ministry of Interior for 2016.

Following the comprehensive discussion, the Committee, with a majority of votes, adopted the Opinion that the funds for consumer units from the security and defence sector in the Proposal for the 2016 Budget Law of Montenegro were realistically determined and estimated that they would enable conduct in accordance with the specified competencies.

With regard to initiative of the Council for Civilian Control of Police Operations which was forwarded by the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget, act No. 00-63-7/15-95/10 of 8 December 2015, and taking into consideration the content of explanatory statement regarding the proposed budget in order to strengthen programme activities, visibility, availability to citizens and transparency of work of this body, the Committee estimated that the presented proposal was justified and worthwhile.