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04 Dec 2018, 00:50 AM

03 December 2018 - Cybersecurity has become an essential component of modern society. Critical societal infrastructure, the financial sector, governmental services, the security sector, schools, and hospitals are increasingly and irreversibly dependent on interconnectivity and the global network. Risks accompany the merits of the open Internet.

Cyberspace is an intrinsic part of the development of any country. Strong information and cyber capacity are crucial for the region to progress and develop in the economic, political and social spheres. Montenegro has advanced fast in the cybersecurity area since 2010 when the umbrella piece of legislation – Law on Information Security - was adopted, along with the Regulation on Information Security Measures. The country has an official university master-level program on cybersecurity policy, developed and delivered by the Donja Gorica University in Podgorica, which gives a unique mix of technical and policy-based knowledge on a variety of cybersecurity issues. The Donja Gorica University is also a partner in the above mentioned EU-funded TEMPUS project.

On December 3, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro, Suzana Pribilović and UK Ambassador to Montenegro Alison Camp opened a roundtable dedicated to cybersecurity in Podgorica, sponsored by the Ministry of Public Administration and the UK Embassy, in cooperation with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

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Minister Pribilović thanked the UK Government for the support provided, hopeful that the project of support in the field of cybersecurity will continue in the time to come. She said that one of the objectives of the Cyber Security Strategy for 2018-2020 is to carry out as many cyber exercises, training and simulations as possible, with the aim of strengthening the capacities for cyber defence. She recalled that the National CIRT (Computer Incident Response Team) successfully participated in resolving numerous incidents in the past period, which in many cases demanded cooperation, information exchange and coordination of activities with other relevant organisations, institutions and CIRT teams. Resolving such incidents resulted in developing contacts and collaboration with partners at regional and international levels, creating CIRT team at the local level and establishing cooperation with the private sector.

The national CIRT is also very active in promoting the culture of being safe in cyberspace. In 2015, it developed the document titled “Guidelines for Security and Protection of Information in Cyberspace”. In cooperation with the ITU, CIRT.me organised a cyber-drill in September 2015 for CIRT/CERTs from Europe. The drill was attended by more than 50 participants from Montenegro and other countries. Also, CIRT.me actively participates in the overarching TEMPUS project related to cybersecurity education in Montenegro.

During the roundtable meeting, Ambassador Camp said that the United Kingdom and its partners share concerns about the scale and complexity of cyber-attacks.

Camp explained that the only effective way to deal with these common threats is joint action. She added that the ability to deliver successful cybersecurity relies on the strength of the partnerships we create: partnerships between the government and its agencies, and between the public and private sectors, including academia and civil society. According to her words, Britain will continue to strengthen the shared vision of an open, peaceful and secure digital world based on the rule of law. Camp also pointed out that cybersecurity is a priority of bilateral relations between Great Britain and Montenegro, as it concerns the security and prosperity of the two countries.

The roundtable aims to increase the awareness of decision-makers and other relevant subjects on the growing threat of cyber-attacks. The national roundtable organized by DCAF is the first of the three annual roundtables where representatives and experts for cybersecurity are participating in the project "Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans."

03 Dec 2018, 23:02 PM
December 3, 2018 - The meeting of the Adriatic Yachting Association (AYA) in Porto Montenegro has brought together leading companies from Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro, which will jointly create and operate concurrently to enhance the unique service of the Adriatic Sea, said Adriatic Marinas.
 
"The primary goal of AYA is to connect the prominent companies to enhance the yachting service, to cooperate, to support partner companies and to become a lobbying force in the Mediterranean. We will actively promote and represent international clientele on a global scale and create an atmosphere for launching additional businesses, is a member of the AYA Association of Nizar Tagi and is available to qualified companies and individuals with the proven success of professional excellence in this industry. Membership to which reputable representatives from tourist, nautical, yachting and brokerage companies from the mentioned countries have joined will be jointly represented nautical fairs, have opportunities for B2B contacts on various events from the yachting domain, have a unique brand identity, and create an excellent marine platform.
 
Porto Montenegro is a great host and an excellent nautical base from where we will create a vision, strategy, and act as a unique marine product," said Nizar Tagi. 
03 Dec 2018, 22:48 PM
December 3, 2018 - The delegation of the European Maritime Safety Agency EMSA is on a multi-day visit to the Montenegrin maritime administration to prepare Montenegro for the IMSAS mandatory audit for member states of the International Maritime Organization IMO.
 
State Secretary at the Ministry of Traffic and Maritime Affairs Muamer Hajdarpasic reminded members of the delegation that Montenegro, on October 10, 2006, officially became a member of the International Maritime Organization (167) and accepted the conventions and protocols of the IMO, as well as the rights and obligations.
 
"It is necessary to take into account the activities Montenegro is undertaking on the road to European integration by strengthening the legal and administrative framework with the aim of raising the level of security and security, protecting the sea from pollution and protecting human life on the sea," Hajdarpašić emphasized.
 
The Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs together with the Maritime Safety Directorate continues to monitor IMO recommendations and the legal framework of the EU and tries to respond to all challenges, especially given the limited administrative capacity and the limited financial resources, said the representative of the Ministry of Transport.
 
"In the previous period, activities that resulted in the return of Montenegrin seafarers to White Paper EU; the elimination of Montenegro with the so-called "blacklist" of Paris MOU and the transfer of powers to provide services for the inspection of ships and the issue of required testimonies for ships sailing under the Montenegrin flag. Along with these activities, we are also working intensively at the reception of Montenegro in the Paris MoU," said Hajdarpašić.
  
EMSA Team Leader Hemming Hindborg praised the cooperation of the Montenegrin maritime administration with this evolutionary institution and expressed its conviction that the experience and tradition that Montenegro has in sailing will be a significant contribution in the period to come.
 
"Although it is a young state concerning membership in international maritime organizations, Montenegro has shown an enviable level of seriousness and readiness to accept and apply the suggestions and recommendations it receives, but also to show the progress made by the international maritime community," Hindborg said.
 
The EMSA audit team is preparing Montenegro for IMSAS, which is scheduled for November next year, with the aim of further improving the efficiency of the Montenegrin maritime administration.s
 
"I believe that this audit will be an excellent indicator of how to prepare ourselves adequately for all future commitments, as well as for addressing any shortcomings. It is good that the suggestions and recommendations come from competent institutions that can impartially observe the maritime administration, and therefore we believe that we will have a sincere partner that will help us to jointly contribute to the safety of navigation and protection of the sea from pollution on the road to Montenegro from sailing objects," concluded Hajdarpašić
 
The meeting with EMSA was attended by the Director General of the Naval Administration Vladan Radonjić with his associates, the Captain of the Harbor Command Kotor and Bar, Bruno Brkanović and Predrag Ratković with their associates, the Director of Naval Safet Kočan as well as the safety inspectors.
 
03 Dec 2018, 21:22 PM
The most striking and strategically crucial strait of Bay of Kotor is the Strait of Verige, which is opposite the town of Perast. Today, Verige is one of the most popular photo locations in the extremely photogenic Boka Bay, a place where the view leaves you breathless on both romantic summer evenings and the winter days when the snow falls down the hills of the Herzegovina Mountains, sometimes also covering  the coastal villages in Risan Bay and Perast itself.
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Imagine the surprise and fascination of cruise ships guests, who, after passing through Kumbor's Strait, opened to Tivat Bay? The sea surface reflects the scene, where like the eagles, the wings of Lovćen and the slopes of Orjen watch for the Bay. Everyone is instantly aware of the fact that he's coming to the area of unusual beauty. Here the “mountain wings“ are located in the hinterland of the Tivat plain, the impression is less intense than the landscape that opens before you then go to the Kotor-Risan basin through the strait of Verige. You do not need to be familiar with the history of this region to immediately feel the tremendous strategic and historical significance of this narrow sea strait, which marks the former border between the Christian towns of the bay and the Turkish Herceg Novi.
 

Verige through history

 
Thus, in 1498, Kotor's Venitian Governor asked for the Senate of the Venetian Republic to approve 350 ducats to build a fort at Verige. He claimed that there were already a lot of soldiers, and the money he had asked for was accepted.  But for some reason, landlords of Perast did not use it for the construction of the fort but obtained some cannons from that fond.
 
In the Verige strait, there were bloodstained battles in the late 15th century. The Governor of Kotor reported to his superiors in Venice that Turks threatened to set up some bastions on Verige and to transfer construction materials there. The Senate had a strong opinion about it and suggested to build two fortresses at Verige, one at each side of the strait. However, the Christian army at that stage was late because the Turks started to realize their plan. They dug up limescale holes on both sides and prepared everything for masonry. The Venetians had prevented that goal making Turkish builders leave the strait.
 
The Turks, however, made Kotor's Governor report to the Senate about the new Turkish preparations for the construction of a fortress at Verige after four years, and then again after four years. Indeed, the Turks then dropped out of the narrow Verige and built one of those fortresses at the strait of Kumbor, which was soon destroyed.
 

Our Lady of Angels in Verige

 
No matter how much the Venetians complained about the Turkish ventures around Verige, they were not ready to give up, so they raised the fortress with the grate and the church of Our Lady of Angels at the south-eastern cape of the strait. Although above the church door reads the years 1585 and 1654, it is considered that this church was created earlier and that its significant restorations were made in those years. Thus, in 1585, the landowners of the town of Perast rounded the church with loopholes and built a strategic fortress for the defense of this town. Inside the wall, there is a smaller one-store building, where the guards were probably located and through which they could enter the church. The church was destroyed on May 15, 1654, during the Turks' attack on Perast, but restored in the same year.
verige our lady of angels
 
From the Our Lady of Angels, there is a beautiful view of Perast and the island of Our Lady of Rock and Saint George. With its defending walls, the island of Saint George together with the fortification on the Cape of Our Lady of Angels aided the defense of Perast from the sea.
 

Are Verige chains?

 
The best historians of this region through centuries wrote about Verige. Ivan Lučić and Andrija Zmajević both think that the name Verige keeps a memory of a chain (in local dialect: verige) that prevented entry into the bay. Of course, this has different views, because the documents of the Historical Archives in Kotor gives rise to a different interpretation of the name Verige. It seems that the title of this strain does not come from chains, but from the Catena family, a noble family from Kotor, which in that part of the bay had possessions, whose name in Italian means chains or verige.
 
"It is possible that some guards occasionally set up chains on both sides of the straits to block access to unobtrusive ships in the wealthy cities that settled in the depths of the Kotor fjord due to sanitary or customs formalities," Croatian academic Slobodan Prosperov Novak wrote in his book "Boka Kotorska from Bell Tower to Bell Tower."
 

Verige of Today

 
Today, Verige is one of the most significant neuralgic points of the UNESCO area of Kotor and the rest of Boka Bay. Traffic through narrow straits during the summer months is incredibly intense. Cruise passengers are so often in a position to enjoy sailing regattas when sailing through the Verige and admire the skills of today's Bokelian sailors who navigate their course knowingly avoiding the "giants" with which they are passing by. And there are yachts, charter sailing boats, small wooden boats of the local families. Rush hour all day long. As well as a magnificent view.
 
verige view over parast islets
 
The Turks have never succeeded in building a fort in Verige. In addition to Our Lady of the Angel, who delighted Verige since the 16th century, if not before, no one came to mind to disrupt the untouched nature of the Verige huts, whose servants of greenery and rocks advise the traveler to enter into one of the most amazing and fascinating nature artworks- Bay of Kotor.
 
verige 65 bokanews.me
 
The Turks did not succeed, but independent Montenegro allowed itself to ensure all necessary documents and support the private investor to destroy the natural shape of the NW cape defining the strait of Verige. Despite the numerous public and citizen appeals, the Montenegrin Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and cultural heritage services allowed the building of concrete construction at Verige. In this object is housed in an exclusive restaurant offering fine dining with views of Baroque Perast and its islets. No dilemma, a deep breath. The view from Perast is not that overwhelming, but it is how it is...
 
On the eastern side of the strait, just before the Church Our Lady of Angels, there is a natural sandy and rocky beach of about 250 meters, on which a temporary catering facility was built, called Verige. For the summer months, this is one of the favorite Boka beaches. During the winter, an exciting place to be protected from the wind and with a hot drink watching the wreck of Risan Bora, one of the strongest winds in Boka Bay.
 
Verige montenegro.travel
 
Interesting is also the view of the strait of Verige from the ferry on the Kamenari-Lepetane line. Looking from this position towards Perast, you can imagine flying in some ancient times when small stone coastal settlements in Boka were divided by untouched green passages. Times, when only bell-towers of numerous churches of Boka disturbed the homogenous landscape of those little stone villages and towns, are gone forever. But, there are enough marks all around the Bay that could help us reconstruct the way of life made this area, besides its natural beauty, also one of the significant cultural regions in Adriatic through centuries.
 
02 Dec 2018, 23:27 PM

01 December 2018 - The Municipality of Budva, in cooperation with the Tourist Organization Budva, has provided an outdoor gym and exercise space for citizens of Budva, located near the swimming pool on the Slovenian beach.

Assistant Secretary of the Secretariat for Municipal Housing Affairs, Aleksandar Popović, said that the entire training center will be completed by the end of the day.

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Popović said that they took care that the devices that were installed for the outdoor gym were of the highest possible quality.

"The appliances are made in America and Denmark, and every part of the device is made of aluminum and a special kind of stainless steel, which is resistant to seawater and does not require special maintenance," said Popović.

He pointed out that special devices for people with disabilities were also provided so that wheelchairs can access and perform certain exercises.

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In addition to this gym, the Municipality will make three more outdoor gyms at the following locations: near the "red building", in the village of Beli Do, and on the central part of Bečići beach.

These three venues will be completed within two weeks.

The building of this outdoor gym was discussed during the summer, while the ground works were finished in the August. The total value of the project is estimated at 30.000 EUR. Read more information about outdoor gym in Budva here.

02 Dec 2018, 23:18 PM

01 December 2018 - The Information on the accession of the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense to the framework Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defense of Germany and combat forces of Sweden, with reference to the “Resolute Support” mission, announced by the Government of Montenegro, says that costs of the Army of Montenegro and its soldiers in this mission will amount to 2.000.000 EUR on annually. The costs will include contribution fees, accommodation, and travel costs, moving of forces, as well as other expenditures arising from the engagement of members of the Army of Montenegro into the mission in Afghanistan.

The document also says the Army of Montenegro have continued with the engagement in Afghanistan, in accordance with the decision of the Parliament of Montenegro on sending the Montenegrin soldiers into the international “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan.

“After Montenegro joined NATO Alliance, its presence in the international missions has increased, so the Parliament of Montenegro decided on sending the Montenegrin soldiers into the “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan on 5 July 2018. The Decision approved sending of 40 soldiers into the Mission,” the government's decision states.

During this summer, Montenegro marked one year anniversary of membership in NATO, when it was noted that Montenegro's accession benefits the state, stability of the Western Balkans and international peace and security as well. Also, by joining NATO, Montenegro gained long-lasting stability, as well as favorable conditions that benefit future economic prosperity. Read more information about one year anniversary of membership in NATO here.

Recently, NATO stated that Montenegro is ready to face challenges on its own.

02 Dec 2018, 23:11 PM

01 December 2018 - The 10th international, diplomatic Christmas charity fair took place on the December 1 in the shopping mall ‘Delta City’, Podgorica, from 10 AM to 6 PM, and public administration minister of Montenegro, Suzana Pribilović opened it. This year’s charity fair will gather 21 embassies, while the main organizer of this beautiful event is the International Women’s Club of Montenegro.

“There will be plenty of locally made food, scarfs, and souvenirs from Cappadocia, dolls, and, of course, Baklava,” announced Aylin Galip, the president of the International Women’s Club of Montenegro, who has been performing this function for 2 years already.

The Fair will gather the representatives of Serbia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Slovakia, South Korea, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistan, Hungary, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine (participates for the first time), and France as well.

The aim of the event is to collect money for humanitarian purposes by selling locally made crafts, while the participants will also be able to present the countries they come from. ,

Collected funds will go to the Children’s Home “Mladost” in Bijela, the Day Care Center for children with developmental difficulties in Stari Aerodrom (Podgorica), while part of the money will be used for buying didactic necessities for primary schools “Radojica Perović” and ”Oktoih”, as well as the kindergarten ”Sunce”.

 

For more information and photographs, read at Cafe del Montenegro.

02 Dec 2018, 23:03 PM

01 December 2018 - According to the latest data, Montenegro has been one of the fastest growing economies in the region and even beyond its borders, with a 4.8% growth rate in the first half of this year. It has already been recognized as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Mediterranean and one of the fastest developing tourist destinations in the world. Other areas, such as energy and agriculture, also have high potential. In this sense, we believe Montenegro is on the right track and has many possibilities in future, the ambassador of the UAE to Montenegro, Abdulsalam Hareb Obaid Al Romaithi said.

“This year, the United Arab Emirates and Montenegro mark ten years of establishing diplomatic relations that we traditionally foster through friendship, trust, solidarity, and mutual understanding. Over the past ten years, both countries have learned a lot of each other and found the way for partnerships in many areas. As a result of our cooperation, we’ve signed a vast number of significant agreements with the aim of improving our relations and achieving common goals based on the interests of both nations,” said the Ambassador of UAE, adding that “the UAE strongly support Montenegro, and will be committed to fostering relations with Montenegro even more.”

Montenegro has already reached significant progress in numerous areas since restoring its independence in 2006, according to Abdulsalam Hareb Obaid Al Romaithi.

During the last week, to mark ten years of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Montenegro, the embassy of the United Arab Emirates organized UAE-MNE Cultural Evening on November 27 at the Great Hall of the Cultural and Informational Centre "Budo Tomović".

During this occasion, it was concluded that the audience in Montenegro had the opportunity to enjoy the folklore performances of the cultural, artistic associations from the UAE, in a friendly exchange with the cultural, artistic association from Montenegro for the first time.

Read more information about the cultural exchange of United Arab Emirates and Montenegro here.

02 Dec 2018, 22:11 PM

02 December 2018 - Tivat is one of the youngest cities in the Bay of Kotor, as well as on the Montenegrin coast. The city is situated in the central part of the Bay of Boka at the foot of Vrmac (710m) the spur of Mount Lovcen which extends to the north-west side of the town. At the opposite side is the Bay of Tivat which is the largest of four bays forming the Bay of Kotor. The Bay of Tivat with its exceptional beauty attracts every visitor.

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There are 17 hotels in different parts of Tivat, but all of them are very close to the sea. There are small hotels with only twenty beds and large ones with about 300 beds. A lot of tourists chose private accommodation which is cheaper, and in many cases, there is no difference in quality comparing it with the hotel accommodation. Both private accommodation and hotels consist of apartments and nicely renovated rooms with their bathroom. Whatever you choose, you are in the right place, because visiting this city for your holiday will be the right decision.

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Tourist organization of Tivat has recently published New Year’s Program within the city. As Total Montenegro News journalist explained, Željko Joksimović will entertain citizens of Tivat and their guests on New Year's Eve, and Lepa Brena and Bojan Delić will perform on 1 January, while Ana Kokić and the Tivat band "Toć" will perform on 2 January. The New Year’s program on the city promenade Pine will begin on 15 December when Tivat's caterers will set up recognizable gastro cottages, and the music program will start on 26 December. During the eight holiday days, there will be the concerts of Amadeus band, Ana Rucner, Leontina and guests, Boris Novkovic, La band Tambura night, The gents, Disko inferno, Tribute band ABBA. The rich fun-minded program will continue until January 10, 2019, with a variety of events and resident DJs.

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If you decide to spend your New Year’s Eve somewhere along the Montenegrin coast, Tourist organization of Tivat has many propositions for your accommodation options.

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If your choice is hotel accommodation, you can pick one of many hotels that are operational all year round, like Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro, Hotel La Roche, Hotel La Perla, Hotel Helada, Hotel Montenegrino, Hotel Astoria, Hotel Carrubba, Hotel Pine Hotel Magnolia, Hotel Palma, Hotel Franca, Hotel Villa Royal, Hotel San, Hotel Anderba or Hostel Anton. TO Tivat has presented all the amenities as well as the contact information of hotels, which you can find on the pictures. 

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Read more information about accommodation in Tivat here

02 Dec 2018, 22:08 PM

02 December 2018 - For many years now, the development of winter tourism in Montenegro has been one of the country’s most important goals. The Government of Montenegro has invested about 50 million EUR in Kolašin, the city that will be the backbone of the development of winter tourism in the northern region of Montenegro.

In mid-October, representatives of Montenegrin Government have announced that the central part of the construction process at the “Kolašin 1600 Ski Resort” was completed, including almost one kilometre of roads to the ski resort.

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At the end of autumn 2017, the construction of the Doppelmayr's six-seater cable car and the construction of the corresponding ski slopes, under the official name "K-8 Troglava" (named after the 2072 meters above sea level peak), has begun. Most of the works have been completed, all pillars with corrugated batteries on them, as well as the starting and exiting station of the cableway, are installed. The barges are six-seaters with six centimetres thick pillows. The cable car will have a sound system, security cameras along the route, and the Internet will be available to the skiers while driving.

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The contractor for the cableway at the Kolašin 1600 site is the Austrian company – Doppelmayr, world's leading manufacturer of ropeways, cable cars, and ski lifts. With the completion of works at the 1600 location, Montenegro will get a new ski resort owned by the state. By building the access road, infrastructure and cableway, the state wants to create conditions for attracting investors who will construct more accommodation capacities and further develop the ski centre.

Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković, said during the Premiere Hour of the Assembly this week that the Kolašin 1600 ski centre is expected to be operational in the coming days.

On its Twitter account, the Government of Montenegro has released the latest snow-covered photographs of the ski resort.

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02 Dec 2018, 22:06 PM

02 December 2018 - Although the summer season in Herceg Novi ended long ago, the first December weekend near the festive New Year’s season has attracted 1576 guests to the city, which is an increase of 26% compared to last year according to the local Tourist organization data. Most tourists come to Herceg Novi from abroad (1230 guests).

Most tourists chose private accommodation – 975 guests, and 601 guests have picked hotels. Many hotels are closed during winter, and among those which are operational is the luxury Lazure Hotel & Marina in Meljine. This five-star complex is not only popular for people who look for accommodation, but for locals and visitors from other cities of Montenegro as well.

Lazure Marina & Hotel reside on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro at the entrance to the picturesque Kotor bay, next to the beautiful medieval city of Herceg Novi. Supplemented by a boutique hotel housed in a renovated 18th-century building, spacious residences, Mediterranean restaurants, and a wellness centre, the Lazure Marina & Hotel is a supreme destination for travellers and sailors.

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And while many guests are enjoying one of the Lazure restaurants and terraces and taking advantage of the favourable weather conditions, the Spa centre is being built within the complex. The planned construction of the new hotel segment is at its beginning stages. The new segment is included in the V, VI and VII phase of the project. The principal investor of the hotel expansion is Limited Liability Company Imperio Holdings. The Spa centre will cover 1710 square metres; it will have an underground segment, ground floor, and first floor. The resort will cover the area of 17,000 square meters, with an underground section for garages, ground floor, and four floors. The whole complex covers over 10 thousand square meters.

The completion of works is planned for next year. The technical documentation was prepared by the company "Omorika Montenegro", which is the contractor. This company has been engaged in the construction of the hotel and has done an excellent job.

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