Lifestyle

25 Nov 2019, 10:38 AM

The business-residential building Porto Budva, worth EUR 80 million, will be completed by mid-2021, said sales manager Ana Golubovic, adding that about 60 percent of the works have been completed so far.

"Due to the great interest and the possibility of return on investment for only five years, today only 19 apartments are vacant in the complex of 300 apartments and only 20 out of 50 commercial premises," said Golubovic.

She said that investments in real estate under construction, the possibility of a passive income, and a return on investment within five to seven years are just some of the benefits of buying a property in the Porto Budva facility, as reported by Infobiro.

This is, according to Golubovic, about the number one investment project in Montenegro, for several reasons, including the location.

“The complex is being built in the center of Budva, on the first line, just 100 meters from the Old Town with access to the main Mediterranean street and promenade. Also, our team is engaged in the complete equipping of apartments within the brand of a five-star hotel, as well as the preparation of financial statements for our clients, whose apartments and business premises are for rent," said Golubovic.

The largest spa in the city of 3.5 thousand square meters is planned Within the hotel, with indoor and outdoor pools. The largest shopping mall of eight thousand square meters, is also planned, on two floors with well-known brands, a congress hall, restaurants, cafes, and two-story car parking with 400 garage spaces.

Golubovic reminded that Montenegro is one of the three countries with the most dynamic development in Europe, that it is a candidate for the European Union (EU) and a leader in the foreign investment on the Balkans.

Budva, the capital of tourism and investment, is still called the new Monte Carlo because of its pleasant tax climate and respect for the norms of European legislation and a stable notarial system, which overall contributes to the attractiveness of the Porto Budva project," Golubovic concluded.

Text by MINA, on November 25th, 2019, read more at Boka News

24 Nov 2019, 19:51 PM
November 24, 2019 - The Center for Women's and Peace Education Anima is organizing a performance called "We Don't Give Our Lives for Your Dirty Jobs" on Monday, November 25th, at noon at the Arms Square in Kotor. The performance aims at drawing attention to the pervasive violence against women in social reality.
 
By marking the International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women begins a campaign that, in our country and around the world, points to the pervasive violence against women, as well as the activities that states (do not) undertake to reduce violence, announced Anima.
 
"Our Government, Parliament, and institutions are unaccountable for violence against women; they do not implement the adopted declarations, resolutions, and action plans. They insist on relativizing all types of violence against women, respecting somewhat only what is happening in the family. Institutional abuse is silent, and only a few examples indicate the depth of the problem.
 
Factors that contribute to violence against women are increasingly visible and present in social reality: poverty, exploitation, impunity of crimes, captured institutions, and the militarization of society with the usual, even normalized, corruption, crime, and fear. All this supported by nationalist ideologies and substantiated by the so-called patriotic struggles and deceptions make women in the most difficult situation since the start of EU accession negotiations. The actions of the women's political network on the increase of women in parliament are caricature and cynical.
 
Extremely concerned about the development of the political crisis and the consequences it may have on women's lives, Anima activists are calling on all women to claim their rights and avoid aligning with existing political actors." Anima Center for Women's and Peace Education said in a statement.
 

Violence against women in Montenegro: As many as 20 percents of women have experienced violence after the age of 15

 
According to a survey conducted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with partners in Montenegro in 2018, most women in our country are concerned about violence. One in five women has experienced physical or sexual abuse after the age of 15.
 
The study on violence against women, presented to the Parliament of Montenegro in July this year, shows that violence against women affects women of all ages, from every income group and every area in the country. The survey further revealed that shame, fear of retaliation by the perpetrator, and distrust of the services were the reason for not reporting the violence.
 
24 Nov 2019, 15:18 PM

November 24, 2019 - Montenegro has been a very interesting country in terms of geopolitics and there’s clear foreign influence on the media, which has been subject to misinformation and media manipulation.

 

Such state of affairs might affect some social and political processes, especially in the times of global tensions, so the whole society must be aware of the problem and thus make a broader social coalition for the responsible solution to this issue, President of the Association of Citizens ‘Why Not’ [in Montenegrin: Zašto ne], Darko Brkan, assessed in an interview for Dnevne Novine daily.

After Mr Bokan launched the portal Raskrinkavanje.ba [it monitors, analyzes, assesses and reveals fake news and media manipulation], many similar portals were launched in the region as well and as for MNE, it exists within the Centre for Democratic Transition, CDT, since last year.

According to him, media literacy represents the best answer to the problem of misinformation and media manipulation, but it is a long-term job and current threats need to be addressed at multiple levels, starting from the strengthening of organizations dealing with media liability.

When asked to comment on the situation in MNE and the fact that it has been exposed to a kind of hybrid war, he said: “Montenegro has similar problems as the rest of the region in this context. The media, in pursuit of sustainability, lose their independence and become spokespersons for political groups, and journalists in such situations cannot maintain their integrity. The division on the political scene leads to the division in the media.”

 

In his previous interviews, Mr Brkan used to claim that there were two types of fake media –one launching misinformation for money and others for political reasons. On the question of which one we have more in the media scene, he answered: “There is no doubt about it – the media spreading misinformation for money. “

Speaking about the cooperation with the colleagues from Montenegro, that is, the CDT, he noted: “Of course we are collaborating with our colleagues from the CDT, we have developed the methodology by joint forces, and we helped them when they were starting this whole process. Challenges before the CDT are just as ours, and our greatest challenge right now is the lack of capacities so that we can check all the articles in the media on a daily basis…but the situation is getting better.”

On the situation in the region and major issues in the media, Mr Brkan said: “There are three kinds of problems in the media: the first and the most important one is the usage of the media for political and business purposes. The problem with this is that it leads to significant violations of journalism ethics manifested through the spreading of fake news and media manipulation. Another problem is a complete transformation of the society through which we are getting the information, which came as a consequence of social networks.”

Text by CDM on November 23, 2019, read more here

To read more about lifestyle in Montenegro, follow TMN's dedicated page

23 Nov 2019, 03:42 AM

Cooperation in areas of culture and tourism is successfully developed between Saint Petersburg and Herceg Novi, to the satisfaction of both sides, it was announced during a meeting between officials from the two cities. It was agreed that Saint Petersburg would be represented at the 51st Mimosa festival, and that cultural exchanges would also continue, giving the public in Herceg Novi the opportunity to attend choral concerts, theatre performances and other artistic events from this Russian cultural capital, reported Herceg Novi Municipal Information Service.

During a working visit to Saint Petersburg, held at the invitation of the mayor of the city, the Mayor of Herceg Novi Municipality Stevan Кatić, Deputy Mayor Miloš Кonjević, Director of Herceg Novi Tourism Organisation Pavle Obradović and local councillor Savo Marić met with the Chair of Saint Petersburg Culture Committee Konstantin Eduardovich Sukhenko, Head of Government Organisation “Petersburg Concert” Yekaterina Anatoliyevna Artyushkina, Yuriy Gruzdyev and representatives of the city’s Culture Committee, in the Saint Petersburg Municipal Building.

Herceg Novi and Saint Petersburg are linked by their importance as cultural centres with rich historical heritage where great artists lived and worked, as well as both being important tourist destinations in their respective countries. Culture and tourism are therefore recognised as main themes for cooperation and connection, within which there are many opportunities for projects and exchange, it was announced at the meeting. It was noted that such meetings broaden and strengthen cooperation between regions, and contribute to ensuring relations remain at the highest possible level.

 Posjeta Sankt Peterburgu razgovor čelnika 2

Photo: Herceg Novi Municipality

It was concluded that cooperation between the two cities would undoubtedly thrive as all the right conditions are in place - both in terms of the productive cultural potential of the “Northern Venice” and the “Pearl of the Adriatic” - and the goodwill of officials on both sides. A joint wish was expressed for the signing of a friendship agreement between Herceg Novi and Saint Petersburg.

Representatives of Herceg Novi thanked the Saint Petersburg Culture Committee for its readiness to support the development of cultural cooperation between the two cities. At the end of the meeting, held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the delegations exchanged gifts. Кatić presented Mr Sukhenko with a letter of thanks for strengthening and expanding cultural cooperation between Saint Petersburg and Herceg Novi.

 

Presentation of Herceg Novi tourist attractions in Saint Petersburg

In addition to the meeting with city officials, the working visit to Saint Petersburg was an opportunity for the tourist organisations of the two cities to meet. Emphasis was placed on building on the excellent cooperation developed thus far, as well as promotional issues and arrangements for the delivery of joint projects.

At the same time, a meeting was held with Svetlana Vasiliyevna Lavretsova, Director of the A. A Bryantsev Theatre, which has successfully performed twice to audiences from Herceg Novi. There was a summary of cooperation so far, and the next performance was also agreed in principle.

Presentations were also made of Herceg Novi’s tourist attractions and tourist potential to tour operators, tourism companies, and media from Russia. During the conference at the Astoria Hotel in Saint Petersburg, leading companies in the Russian tourist market had the opportunity to discover all the possibilities the city has to offer.

 

Source: Radio Jadran

22 Nov 2019, 11:49 AM

Porto Montenegro Marina Director Tony Browne has been named President of the Global Marina Institute. GMI has the responsibility for overseeing education in the marina sector, training, and certification of those marinas’ members through the institutions of the Association of Marina Industries (MIA) and British Marines (BM), said “Adriatic Marinas”.

Browne has been named President of the Institute based on ten years of experience in running and operating the Porto Montenegro Marina, the winner of the unique and prestigious Platinum Award awarded by the British Yacht Harbor Association (TYHA). With this global recognition, Porto Montenegro marina is the only marina in the world as the carrier of the highest ranking in the yachting service and industry. Browne emphasized that he is looking forward to this function and that his mission is to educate all boaters to the highest standards of the world and to do their work following the same.

The Global Marines Institute (GMI) was established in 2011 as a partnership between the British Marines Association and the Marina Industry Association - providing global training and certifications for marinas to maintain and raise standards in marinas worldwide. GMI works to maintain existing certifications and develop new certification pathways and training to meet the needs of existing marinas and marinas that are being developed around the world.

Text by Zora Krstovic, on November 22nd, 2019, read more at Radio Tivat

22 Nov 2019, 10:38 AM

The third in a series of seasonal events, the Autumn Festival will be held on Saturday, November 23, from 10 am to 2 pm, in Njegoseva Street, as well as in front of the City Cafe in Herceg Novi.

An exhibition of handicrafts and local products, food and drinks, and creative workshop for children will be on offer.

Donations will be collected for pupils from the elementary school “Daso Pavicic” for Masa Berat.

“The inspiration for celebrating food and design is autumn, and the flavors and colors of autumn fruits we have in abundance this season. An event for the whole community, something for all ages and interests,” said the organizers, members of the Non-Governmental Association NGA “Ruke” (Hands).

Text by Boka News, on November 22nd, 2019, read more at Boka News

21 Nov 2019, 11:31 AM

The celebration of Kotor Municipality Day on November 21st began this morning when City Music, as usual, toured the city, after which a reception of City Music members was organized in the hall of the Kotor Municipality. A reception for members of the Boka Navy was held at 9.30 am.

At 10 am, wreaths were arranged for the fallen fighters in Risan. At 11.15 am in front of the building of the Municipality of Kotor, a ceremonial report and the flag of the Boka Navy was handed over. Laying wreaths at the memorial to fallen fighters at Park Sloboda (Freedom) took place at 11.30 am.

At noon, the Boka Navy performed a traditional dance at the main town square. At 1 pm in the hall of the Cultural Center "Nikola Djurkovic", the ceremonial session of the Municipal Assembly of Kotor will begin, and the award of the traditional 21 November prize.

Believers today celebrate Our Lady of Health and St. Arandjel Day.

Text by Boka News, on November 21st, 2019, read more at Boka News

21 Nov 2019, 04:40 AM

Geotehnika Montenegro of Nikšić will be carrying out major works until November next year to mitigate the landslide around Kanli Kula, which, once implemented, will stop further shifting of the land and “cracking” of the fortress. The estimated value of the project, financed by the Public Works Administration of Montenegro, had been 300k euros; however, an offer from Geotehnika was accepted at 219,615 euros including VAT. Experts from Geotehnika have already been working for a month on the complex project.

The audit of the main project is being carried out by Civil Engineer, Podgorica. The Public Works Administration had earmarked 50k euros for this; however the company has cost 27,600 euros for the completion of the work.

The damage to Kanli Kula has become all the more visible in recent years, with cracks and crevices in the walls widening, and sagging increase. Experts have confirmed that this is the consequence of a significant landslide from the main road to the Old Town and The Church of the Archangel, noting that it is now precarious.

kanli kula ostecenje 2

Kanli Kula Damage - photo Radio Jadran

 

The repairs to Kanli Kula, an old Turkish fortress from the 16th century - once a prison, but in 1966 rebuilt as one of the best summer stages on the Adriatic - will be carried out in two parts. The first is to carry out minor works that will precede major landslide mitigation. Only then will the second-stage reconstruction of the fortress take place, Prof. Dušan Lučić of the Montenegrin Institute of Civil Engineering, stated to Radio Jadran. Prof. Lučić was a member of the team involved in the exploratory work carried out at the beginning of April 2017.

The project works will take one year, given the need to use the entire 11- month hydrological cycle to monitor how the soil “reacts” in all atmospheric conditions.

During a visit to Herceg Novi this summer, the Ambassador of Turkey to Montenegro, Songul Ozan, stated that the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Montenegro was interested in cooperating with the city and government to find a model that would assist the renovation of Kanli Kula and remedy the landslides that threaten the fortress. Together with her Deputy Bled Kačar and Trade Relations Advisor Derij Koč, the Ambassador urged the Municipality’s leadership to consider applying for the project with the Turkish Agency for International Cooperation and Coordination.

For the repairs and adaptation to Kanli Kula, JUK Herceg Fest, which manages the fortress, will be working jointly with the Ministry of Culture under a mandatory conservation project, stated the Institution’s Director Gordana Porobić Krcunović.

Although architecturally in a deplorable state, the fortress has been able to “withstand” all cultural and entertainment programmes that have been minimised in technical and technological terms. This summer, a high-tech visitors centre was opened at the fortress, with funding provided by the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme for Croatia-Bosnia Herzegovina-Montenegro 2014-2020, through the Fortress ReInvented project. With augmented reality glasses and 3D animation, users were able to step back into the Middle Ages and see what this centuries-old fortress and the city of Herceg Novi looked like throughout history.

 

Source: Radio Jadran

20 Nov 2019, 16:57 PM

November 20, 2019 - After the first public electric car charger, Podgorica is now about to get the first electric taxi service. Six Tesla vehicles (Model S) are already in capital, and the luxurious taxi service is expected to start in the forthcoming weeks. According to the Tesla project coordinator, Mr Milan Prodanović, plans are afoot to extend the fleet of Tesla vehicles.

 

As Mr Prodanović said, ordering taxi rides will be managed through their “TeslagoApp”.

“Given the fact that this is the state-of-the-art application of its kind (like Uber and Yandex), enabling high-quality, more transparent and more efficient service, we firmly believe people will acknowledge the benefits and gradually start using the application, following the trend in the world”, explained Mr Prodanović.

Mr Prodanović said that these were very expensive cars and pointed out they had tried to adapt the price to average and make it just slightly higher than it s in other companies.

“In accordance with the new Decision on Taxi Services, minimum prices won’t be in force anymore, and every company will be required to set prices at €0,50. We don’t want to elaborate on that right now, we’ll rather inform clients on the commencement of service provision”, said Mr Prodanović.

 

He pointed out that Podgorica was the first town in the region to provide Tesla car taxi service.

“Citizens’ awareness is changing and car producers are becoming aware that they should focus on the electric cars sale, as they bring numerous advantages (instant acceleration, no gear shifting, more comfortable driving etc.)”, said Mr Prodanović.

He says that there’s a shortage of electric car chargers in Podgorica, which is the reason why the project of the installation of electric chargers was started six months ago.

“Currently, we own the only fast charger but, with time, that will change”, said Mr Prodanović.

Text by CDM on November 20, 2019, read more here

To read more about lifestyle in Montenegro, follow TMN's dedicated page

20 Nov 2019, 13:29 PM
November 20, 2019 - By the removal of one of the remaining two large pine trees Pinus Pinea from the former garden of the Hotel "Mimoza" on the waterfront in Tivat, the destruction of this once valuable horticultural entity continued, which from the beginning follows the realization of the Mimoza Group project - construction of a condo-hotel with by the same name on the site of the first Tivat hotel. In addition to the outraged citizens, the drying and removal of the pine tree caused the reaction of the Municipality of Tivat, which seeks action by the competent inspection services.
 
The Municipality of Tivat condemns this way of treating natural values ​​and urges the competent institutions to sanction those responsible for the decay of one of the oldest and most beautiful trees in the city center of Tivat, says Tamara Furtula, the secretary of the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development.
 
Workers were using a crane to cut and remove a large pine tree that had completely dried up in recent months, after a Russian investor destroyed its root, digging land near a tree and building two floors of underground garages. After this, there is only one more large pine tree left in the eastern corner of this plot, but the citizens of Tivat suspect that it will soon be destroyed as its lower branches "enter" space where the second floor of the new hotel should be.
 
pine trees mimozaThe former Mimoza Hotel Garden, Photo by Sinisa Lukovic
 
Most of the herbs in the formerly luxurious park of the Mimoza Hotel have been cut since 2016 when the old Mimoza Hotel and a 4,600-square-foot plot of land were sold to a new owner, Mimoza Group, behind which stands Russian capital. They demolished the old hotel, which paid 6.5 million euros, and in its place, after changing the planning documents according to their wishes, began the construction of a new condominium hotel with the old name.
 
The Municipality of Tivat has repeatedly addressed the inspection bodies regarding the devastation of the green area on which the dried pine-tree is located, as it has been recognized through the spatial-planning and environmental documentation as a green area that needs to be preserved and upgrade. Specific protection of the trees at this location was to be ensured through compliance with the measures prescribed by the Environmental Impact Assessment Study, developed for the project of the new hotel, the Municipality of Tivat pointed out.
 
"For the construction of the Hotel Mimoza 5 *, an Environmental Impact Assessment Study was prepared and approved by the Agency for Nature and Environmental Protection, within which landscape taxation was carried out - a description of the vegetation at the subject site was given, and categorization of trees was performed. On this occasion, it was determined that the two largest pine trees with trunks over 1m in diameter, one of which has recently dried, fall into category A - high-quality trees (for conservation). Within the landscape taxation, the so-called "root protection zone," indicating how far the tree can be approached when excavating without the risk of root damage. Both imposing specimens of pine nuts by the Environmental Impact Assessment Lab are scheduled for on-site conservation," reads a statement sent by the municipal information service.
 
According to the Municipality of Tivat, the company "Mimoza Group" on October 8, 2019, addressed by letter to the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development, stating that the pine tree had dried, that it was a danger to passersby and construction site workers. They asked for consent to remove that tree as soon as possible.
 
"The Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development is not competent to issue the required permit, and given the severe damage to the landscape, ambient and horticultural values ​​of the city center, this authority has submitted a report to the Inspection Directorate - Department for Environmental Inspection. As the authority responsible for controlling whether the project developer implements the measures prescribed by the Environmental Impact Assessment Study to which the consent has been issued,  the Tivat Municipality explained.
 
The company "Mimoza Group" then again addressed the Municipality of Tivat with a letter informing about the removal of the dried pine tree, after which the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development back submitted a report to the Directorate for Inspection - Department for Environmental Inspection. The Secretariat also addressed the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism - Directorate for Inspection and Licensing, requesting an inspection of project documentation and control of activities carried out in the field.  The Municipality suspects that the area of ​​root protection was not respected during the execution of works, which led to root damage and subsequent drying of the tree.
 
"I expect the inspection authorities to take appropriate measures to punish those responsible for the immeasurable damage to the city. I declare that such a case of damage to natural values ​​will not go unpunished," said Secretary of the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development, Tamara Furtula.
20 Nov 2019, 13:09 PM

The National Tourism Organization (NTO) presented Montenegro's tourism offer at the specialized IBTM congress industry fair in Barcelona, with an emphasis on congress tourism, which is important for extending the season.

The NTO said it is one of Europe's most important trade shows for the congress industry, business and motivational travel, bringing together 2.6 thousand exhibitors from 77 countries and over 2.7 thousand professionals in the field.

During the first day of the fair, representatives of the NTO presented Montenegro's offer for congress tourism.

"During the meetings with event organizers from the markets of Spain, Belgium, Germany, Russia, Poland, Great Britain, France, they informed them about the improved hotel capacities, better airline connectivity and the possibilities for organizing events offered by our country," the statement said.

The NTO said that Montenegro is a growing destination on the list of the most popular destinations for business tourism.

"From year to year, the demand is increasing, in accordance with numerous advantages, in the first place the opening of new four and five star hotels that have the necessary facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, Mediterranean climate, unusual nature, the possibilities for organizing unforgettable excursions, and the fact that it is located at about two hours' flight distance from most European centers," the statement added.

For Montenegro, the development of this type of tourism is especially important from the aspect of extending the season and creating a year-round tourist destination and generating higher revenues from tourism, given the fact that business trips are realized during the period outside the main tourist season, and that a tourist on a business trip consumes significantly more than the average tourist.

The NTO booth is represented by the Tourism Organization Budva, Montenegro Stars Hotel Group, Regent Porto Montenegro Hotels, The Chedi-Lustica Bay, MTS Montenegro Travel Agencies, Explorer, Intours DMC, Montenegro In Style and East West Voyage.

The IBTM Specialized Congress Industry Fair lasts till Thursday.

Text by MINA, on November 20th, 2019, read more at Boka News

Page 17 of 175

Remax Property of the Week

Property of the week.png

Editorial

Interview of the week

Photo of the Week

Photo galleries and videos