Minister urges Parliament to approve 2025 budget to ensure maritime safety and tourism preparation

Published on 20. January 2025., News

Minister of Maritime Affairs, Filip Radulović, has called on lawmakers in the Parliament to promptly adopt the 2025 budget, stressing that without the budget, preparations for the upcoming tourist season cannot continue, as stated by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

“We want to emphasize that essential activities ensuring maritime safety cannot be carried out without the financial stability and planning provided by an adopted budget. The safety of our citizens and tourists, as well as the efficiency of all services operating in coastal areas, directly depend on this decision,” said Radulović. He warned that the Maritime Safety Directorate, Port Management, and the Port Captaincies in Bar and Kotor, along with all port branches, will struggle to ensure maritime safety without the necessary funding.

Minister Radulović highlighted that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has developed a strategy in recent months to address the “wild” activities on the sea.

“Last Friday, EU Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, visited the VTMIS center in Bar, where maritime traffic is monitored, and confirmed that we are ready for the upcoming season. Therefore, let’s show responsibility and not allow the lack of a budget to jeopardize our preparations, as the safety of both our citizens and tourists should be our priority,” Radulović concluded.