We consider decentralization a way that the state apparatus
serves the citizens efficiently and transparently, that public affairs are
performed more rationally, to ensure the delivery of public services to the
citizens in a quick, cheap and measurable manner. Decentralization implies a
consistent implementation of European standards, and key documents such as the
European Charter of Local Self-Government, but also the respect for Montenegrin
specificities, such as the size of the country, possibilities of fiscal
sustainability of local communities, and the real need for delegating certain
tasks from state authorities to authorities of local self-government.
Decentralization is about increasing competences of local self-government, but
also about possibilities to exercise entrusted affairs more efficiently. We
particularly reiterate that decentralization ensures a quality management of
natural and economic resources, especially public goods, primarily our sea,
mineral resources and forests.An active and legally defined cooperation and
coordination between the state, or state and public enterprises and local
governments is a necessary condition for decentralization. The increase of
financial autonomy of local self-governments through amending the existing
financial and particularly fiscal regulations will ensure a full responsibility
for the quality of services delivered to the citizens at the local level.
Besides territorial decentralization through a possibility of forming new
municipalities, SNP CG also advocates for functional decentralization. It means
a possibility for local self-governments to increase their competences in the
area of education, health and social care. It contributes to the reduction of
centralization of the state or political administering in these matters, but
also encourages a sustainable regional development as one of key national
priorities.
We believe it is necessary to adopt strategic documents, of which
implementation, with legal support, will ensure the redistribution of national
income in favor of the economically backward northern region and local
governments with insufficient primary revenues. We believe it is just that the
main strategic areas, which serve as raw material base of Montenegro, must get
adequate benefits out of valorization of their own resources.
SNP CG would like the whole territory of Montenegro to be included in strategic
development policies and to impede negative demographic trends and devastation
of enormous areas in our country through a balanced development. In this way, in
order to boost economic development, we will put all our natural, primarily,
spatial resources into function of economic development as well as the benefits
from their use will be evenly distributed.
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