06 February 2019 - The Government of Montenegro has recently adopted the Decision on the opening of the Consulate of Montenegro in Durban, South Africa, headed by Vidoje Čavor.

Durban is the third most populous city in South Africa—after Johannesburg and Cape Town—and the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Located on the east coast of South Africa, Durban is famous for being the busiest port in the country. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism.

"The headquarters in Durban and the consular jurisdiction for the entire territory of the South African Republic will give a new impulse to strengthen the relations of the two countries and further protect the interests of Montenegrin citizens in that territory," the Government stated in a recent report.

Also, the Government adopted a decision to appoint Vidoje Čavor as honorary consul of Montenegro in Durban, South African Republic, with jurisdiction over the entire territory of the South African Republic.

Opening the Consulate in Durban is an important step in further strengthening bilateral relations between the South African Republic and Montenegro.

The Government hopes that Čavor’s outstanding professional experience and knowledge of Montenegro will significantly contribute to fulfilling the common goals and achieving further progress in economic, social and cultural cooperation.

The Consulate in Durban will be opened with the goal to strengthen relations between Montenegro and the South African Republic. The Consulate will provide assistance and services to the Montenegrin citizens in the South African Republic related to consular matters. 

In hotels, tourist resorts and houses throughout Montenegro last year, there were 1,076,848 tourists, out of which 959,121 were foreigners, as shown by the preliminary data from the Monstat Directorate of Statistics, published in “Dnevne novine”.

This is 12.7 percent more than in 2017, while the number of overnight stays is 8.2 percent higher. Namely, there were a total of 4.208.955 overnights and 3.763.857 only by foreign guests.

So, according to the data so far, tourists in Montenegro had an average of 3.91 overnights, which is the closest to a five-day stay, while in July during the peak season they mostly chose a six-day visit with five overnight stays in hotel accommodations. Also, foreigners had an average of 3.92 overnight stays per year and spent the longest 4.98 nights during July.

Unlike them, domestic tourists had an average of 3.78 overnight stays throughout the year, but in August, a favorite month for a collective holiday, they continued to spend an average of 5.24 nights in shared accommodations.

Compared to 2017, the average number of overnight stays dropped for 0.16 from the previous 4.07, and the number of foreign guests by 0.18 from the last year's 4.1, while the Montenegrins spent more nights at hotels, so with 3.86, this number increased by 0.12.

The preliminary data from Monstat show that 809,575, i.e., 84.41 percent of foreign guests arrive from European countries, while from other continents it is 149,546. Of the total number, the highest number of those with a Serbian passport is 120,060 guests or 12.52 percent.

By the number of tourists arriving in Montenegro, Russia is ranked second with 79.153, France with 61.212, and Germany with 57.723 guests. From the United Kingdom, 45,786 guests arrived last year, and other key countries from which there is a significant number of tourists are Poland with 38,419, Italy with 24,833, and Sweden with 20,465 guests who visited the country.

Out of the countries from the region, after Serbia, most of the guests came from Albania 38,281, then Bosnia and Herzegovina 35,101, Croatia 24,816, Kosovo 21,311, Slovenia 15,887, and Macedonia only 10,345. In 2018, there were 22,843 tourists from the USA in Montenegro, from Israel 31,958 and 34,183 from Turkey. Still, this is significantly less than the number of Chinese who have decided to visit Montenegro, i.e. 41,338. Out of 3,763,857 overnights, Europeans achieved 3,447,168 or even 91.59 percent, and spent 4.26 days on average in hotels, resorts, boarding houses, motels, tourist resorts, hostels and other similar accommodation facilities throughout Montenegro.

The two countries whose citizens achieved most of the overnight stays are Serbia with 546,012 or 14.51 percent of the total, then Russia with 514.151 or 13.66 percent of all overnight stays. France is in third place with 313,838 overnight stays, followed by Germany with 240,913 and the United Kingdom with 228,097 overnight stays.

Significant results in hotels are also thanks to guests from Poland who made up 161,632 overnights, Bosnia and Herzegovina with 149,268 and Sweden with 112,497 overnight stays. When it comes to the length of stay, the Serbs stayed an average of 4.55 nights, Russians 6.5, French 5.13, Germans 4.17, and British 4.98 nights. Guests from Poland have an average of 4.21 nights, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.25, and Sweden 5.5 nights.

Out of the countries in the region, citizens from Albania realized 73,804 nights, Kosovo 62,318, Croatia 56,990, and Slovenia 48,289 nights. This means that the neighbors from Slovenia spend on average 3.04 nights, Kosovo 2.92, Croatia 2.3, and Albania only 1.93 nights. When it comes to other European countries with a significant number of arrivals, Italians have only 65,419 overnight stays, as they spend an average of 2.63 nights on average.

Text by Dnevne novine, on February 7th 2019, read more at CdM

The Ministry of Defense is going to renew the Army of Montenegro's (VCG) stock of motor vehicles, as concluded from the Public Procurement Plan worth slightly over EUR 14 million. For the purchase of goods, it is planned to allocate 9.4 million euros, while works on military facilities in Bar, Niksic, Danilovgrad, Pljevlja, Lepetani and Brezovik will cost 1.74 million, while for payment of various services about three million euros will be spent.

The plan does not foresee the purchase of any significant new weapon or combat system for VCG units but is the money to start the long-announced gradual restoration of obsolete fleet of non-war military vehicles, most of which date back from SFR Yugoslavia.

Thus, for the purchase of new military field trucks of up to five tons, the planned amount of one million euros and another 1.23 million for new lightweight terrain vehicles for the transport of personnel and equipment, sanitary vehicles and water and fuel tanks.

Predrag Bošković's department earlier announced that the key project which they are planning to realize this year, is the purchase of a total of 67 light armored vehicles for the purposes of the Land Forces, for which they intend to take a credit arrangement directly from the manufacturer who will give them the most favorable offer in the total amount of up to 30 million euros.

These items are not included in the public procurement plan of MO for 2019, as it was not the case last year with the purchase of three new multi-purpose helicopters, which were also bought for a 30m-euro loan and repaid by the Ministry of Finance directly.

However, in the area of public procurement, the item for the "purchase of armored vehicles" is stated, but the amount of 600,000 euros that is envisaged for it is sufficient only for the possible purchase of a new "Otocar Cobra" type vehicle that was already bought two years ago with the exclusive purpose of radiological-chemical-biological scanning.

For the purchase of ammunition of various calibers for exercise and maneuvering, MO will spend 550,000 euros, while for the purchase of new personal optoelectronic equipment for members of the declared forces for inter-operative processing will be allocated 980,000 euros. For special equipment for the VCG mountain units the MO will allocate 400,000, for the campfire equipment 50,000, for underwater gear crew members of the Navy VCG 280,000, while the new ABHO protective gear will cost 100,000 euros.

All military and civilian vehicles in VCG and MO, Helicopters and Navy ships will have a total of 445,000 euros available for the fuel expenses.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on February 6th 2019, read more at Vijesti

Buducnost Voli wants their fourth consecutive victory of the European League at home, as said by the coach Jasmin Repesa before the upcoming duel with Khimki.

The team from the Moscow region comes to Podgorica for the 22nd round of the European League.

The match at Moraca Sports Center will take place at 7 pm.

"This is another opportunity for us to show ourselves on the biggest basketball scene in Europe, we are fighting against a team that is very good lately, and we want to continue with good games and wins at home. We will do our best to achieve a new triumph," said Repeša.

Buducnost has won all the matches in Podgorica since the arrival of the Croatian coach - in the European League against Darüşşafaka, Real Madrid and Gran Canaria, and in the ABA League against Igokea, Cedevita and Mornar.

The team from Podgorica has six wins in the European League - two less than the team from the Moscow region.

"The European matches are always heavy, although it is easier for us when we play at home, given that we spend a lot of time on the road," said the Frenchman Edwin Jackson.

"Khimki has played better since they changed their coach, we are close in the table and the match will be hard, just like it was against Darüşşafaka, or Gran Canaria," added Jekson. Khimki, who will be in Podgorica without their best player, Alexey Shved, won in the last round against Žalgiris at home.

Text by Danilo Mitrovic, on February 6th 2019, read more at Vijesti

February 7, 2019 - According to the architect Dr Boris Ilijanic, Arza fortress is a protected cultural monument, and no one is allowed to do any intervention on the object without the consent of the Management Board for the Protection of Cultural Monuments.

Luxury project of Arza Cape Resort, animation

 

Designed by Mamula, but with many more elements, Arza Cape Resort includes the construction of a hotel with a capacity of 275 rooms, villas, restaurants, swimming pools, marina, spa centers. The project was signed by SB Architects and King Frank in 2009. However, King Frank no longer exists, and on SB Architects’ website, there is no information on this project.

The Fund for the Reform of the Defense System of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro sold the fort of Arza

Arza Fortress on the Cape of Miriste, photo by Antonela Stjepcevic

 

As was said to Radio Jadran by the Real Estate Management Unit of Herceg Novi, the IV Municipal Court certified the purchase contract in Belgrade on 19 September 2005, and on the seller's side was concluded by the Ministry of Defense of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, the Fund to reform the defense system.

By the Constitution, all fortresses, including Arza, are protected cultural monuments

Fortresses Ostro, Mamula and Arza are marking the entrance to Boka Bay, photo by Antonela Stjepcevic

 

"Arza was not listed in the Registry, as did other objects of military fortifications used by the military. The census of 2013, when valorization and revaluation of cultural goods in the territory of Montenegro were carried out, the records are complete, with Arza listed here - he explains.

06 February 2019 - Jordi Bertomeu, a Spanish professional basketball administrator and the President, Chairman, and CEO of the Euroleague Basketball Company will come to Podgorica on Thursday, February 7, as a guest of the Basketball Club Budućnost Voli, announced the club’s management.

"The first man of Euroleague, Jordi Bertomeu, will visit the club premises where he will meet with the president of Basketball Club Budućnost Voli. Bertomeu will also attend the duel of the 22nd round of Euroleague, in which our team is waiting for the Khimki basketball club from the Moscow Region," the statement said.

As explained on the official website of the Euroleague, Budućnost is on a three-game home-court winning streak and has been able to down teams like CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid in the Montenegrin capital. Norris Cole (18.7 ppg., 4.3 apg.) and Goga Bitadze (12.6 ppg., 6.6 rpg., 3 bpg.) have been critical for their team's improvement. Khimki comes off a brilliant come-from-behind home win against Zalgiris Kaunas and looks for its first road win since early January. Jordan Mickey (13.9 ppg., 5.2 rpg.) is currently its main pillar, along with Tony Crocker (9.3 ppg.) and Malcolm Thomas (7 pp., 4.3 rpg.).

Khimki defeated Budućnost 85-69 at home on November 21, 2018. One week before breaking his finger, Alexey Shved led the winners with 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Jordan Mickey added 18 points and seven assists for Khimki, which led 45-30 at halftime and kept a safe margin all the way. Earl Clark led Budućnost with 19 points.

"We expect victory, for sure. I hope we have a good defensive game, to drop them down to around 70 points, and with a good attack, the defence will be crucial, "said Edwin Jackson for News Agency CdM.

The match will take place on February 7, at 7 pm at Morača Sports Centre.

05 February 2019 - Balkan countries should create a joint tourism offer for tourists from distant countries, said Pavle Radulović, Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro, and Ambassador of Macedonia, Mihajlo Trpkovski, at the meeting of the two officials.

By developing joint tourism promotional offers, Montenegro and Macedonia can exploit untapped opportunities to boost bilateral and inbound tourism to both countries, officials from both sides agreed.

The Ambassador of Macedonia suggested a twinning project between some of the Montenegrin and Macedonian cities. According to the report by the Ministry, Trpkovski said that the Ohrid Lake in Macedonia is extremely valorised by the tourists and that Montenegro should consider connecting this tourist destination with Skadar Lake and thus creating a joint tourism offer.

Radulovic announced that if there is no unity around the Balkan region's tourist offer, an attractive offer cannot be created in the first place. "This is especially true for guests from far countries who expect to visit as many locations during their stay in the Mediterranean," said Radulović. According to him, the inhabitants of large countries are by nature nomads, and until this concept is understood, the countries will not be able to make a high-quality tourism offer.

The officials concluded that strong and strategic relations binding the Balkan countries could be the foundations for cooperation in various fields, including tourism. The countries can, therefore, promote their tourist destinations through innovative joint programmes.

Radulović and Trpkovski highlighted the need for the two governments to help further stakeholders to design effective and practical programmes that allow Montenegrin and Macedonian citizens to visit each other’s countries.

The interlocutors also talked about extending the Agreement on Environmental Cooperation as well as on pollution control models, especially in large cities.

February 6, 2019 - NGO Expeditio - Center for Sustainable Spatial Development within the project "Activating the Potential of Open Public Space for Improving the Quality of Life in Kotor" is implementing an informative and educational campaign on social networks aiming to raise the awareness of citizens and institutions about the values and potentials of public spaces in Kotor.

05 February 2019 - Podgorica Tourist Organization (TOP) will present the project “Podgorica Wine Road” at the European House in Zagreb. The presentation is organised within the manifestation Days of Montenegro in Zagreb - Creative Montenegro.

The spokesperson for the Podgorica Tourist Organization announced that the representatives of the tourism industry in Croatia would be able to get acquainted with the rich wine and gastronomic offer of the Podgorica region, as well as with the potentials for the development of this form of tourism.

The project "Wine Road of Podgorica" has consolidated registered private wineries from all parts of the capital of Montenegro. The current catalogue of the wineries is not the final catalogue of this project, because its expansion is planned. For the time being, the wineries catalogue has been printed in the Serbian language, and the plan is to publish editions in English and Russian as well. The Wine Road of Podgorica is just the beginning of a story that the representatives of Podgorica will complete with organized tours to the wineries so that on-site tourists can get acquainted with the way and quality of wine production, and the hosts are to intrigue them to return.

"The promotion of the tourist offer in Zagreb will continue in the following days at Ban Josip Jelačić Square and the European House in Zagreb," the TO Podgorica statement said.

Visitors will be offered promotional material on Montenegro's tourist offer on Saturday, and will also be able to taste traditional gastronomic products. The stand of Montenegro will also be visited by the mayors of Podgorica and Zagreb, Ivan Vuković and Milan Bandić.

TO Podgorica will participate in the joint presentation of the National Tourist Organization (NTO) on Monday, where they will present the tourist and gastro offer of Podgorica.

The host of the event Days of Montenegro in Zagreb - Creative Montenegro is the European Home in Zagreb, and the organizers are the countries’ ministries of foreign affairs, culture and sustainable development and tourism, the Capital City of Podgorica, the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro and the NTO in cooperation with the Embassy of Montenegro in Zagreb.