Reaction
05/06/2024
According to the Law on Media (Official Gazette of the Republic of Montenegro (OGRM) nos. 51/02, 62/02 and Official Gazette of Montenegro (OGM) no. 82/20), and to objectively inform the public concerning the text “CBCG data: Radio Svetigora blocked for almost 20 years - The Central Bank of Montenegro regularly updates the debt of over 30,000 euros and does not take any action”, which refers to the CBCG records on blocked companies, published on the Internet portal Standard on 5 June 2024 and transmitted by several portals, we provide the following:
REACTION
The title of the text: “CBCG data: Radio Svetigora blocked for almost 20 years - The Central Bank of Montenegro regularly updates the debt of over 30,000 euros and does not take any action”, does not truthfully reflect the factual situation and the CBCG competences concerning the blocked companies.
We want to underline that the CBCG is committed to transparent and accurate data publication on the account freezing of legal entities and entrepreneurs. This commitment is in line with the Payment System Law (OGM No. 62/2013 and 6/2014 ).
The Central Bank is not a decision-maker in enforced collection proceedings but acts as an operator of orders to freeze debtors’ accounts, which it receives based on a decision by competent decision-makers. Thus, the CBCG updates and publishes data on account freezing following legal obligations, but it is not authorised to take debt collection measures independently.
In the specific case of Radio Svetigora, the CBCG has been regularly updating information about the debt of over 30,000 euros and the blockade that has lasted for almost 20 years. However, it’s important to understand that other institutions that initiate forced collection procedures and submit orders to the CBCG are responsible for taking further debt collection measures.
The CBCG remains committed to its obligations in accordance with the legally defined competences and will continue to inform the public in a timely and transparent manner about all relevant data related to account blocking.
Andrija Jovović,
Director of the Payment System Department