Podgorica, (MINA) – The Government of Montenegro has assessed that there are no grounds for the Constitutional Court to accept the proposal to review the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Law on the Army of Montenegro (VCG), submitted by President Jakov Milatovic.

Milatovic submitted a proposal requesting a review of the provisions of that law that grant the Minister of Defense the authority to decide on the use of the VCG and carry out tasks of appointing, dismissing and promoting officers. He sought for an assessment of the constitutionality of Article 38, paragraph 1, points 2, 6, 7, 9 and 11 as well as Article 103 paragraph 2 and 5.

In the opinion submitted to the Constitutional Court, the Government stated that the provisions are in line with the Constitution of Montenegro and that there are no grounds to accept the submitted proposal.

They said that, in accordance with the Constitution, the President of Montenegro commands the Army based on the decisions of the Defense and Security Council, and the Minister of Defense ensures the implementation of those decisions.

“However, the VCG, like all the armies of the world, have regular activities, which require daily decision-making. These activities include training and military exercises on the territory of Montenegro, work under special agreements, international cooperation, and the fulfillment of obligations based on NATO membership”, the opinion reads.

As the Government said, those day-t-day activities require decision-making which, in military terminology, are considered decisions on the use of the Army.

“Given that the Defense and Security Council is a body consisting of the President, the Parliament Speaker and the Prime Minister, and does not meet regularly, but only as needed, if a decision of the Council was necessary for the regular daily activities of the Army, that would lead paralysis of the defense system”, the opinion states.