November 13, 2018 - The quality of electricity supply can be better, Economy Minister Dragica Sekulic said yesterday, adding that the 50 million euros, which the Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System (CEDIS) has chosen to invest in the network, will reduce the number and duration of the electricity outages.

According to Pobjeda, Executive Director of CEDIS, Zoran Djukanovic, said that the company is aware of the fact that, especially in rural areas, the quality of the power supply is not at a satisfactory level.

"I am not satisfied neither as a citizen nor as a minister responsible for the quality of electricity supply, because I would not be in CEDIS today and we would not talk for some time about how to give the best effects with limited resources," Sekulic said at the press conference after a meeting with the management of CEDIS.

She stated that the distribution network was designed for a smaller number of users and added that it would have to adapt to the requirements.

"The more we are distant from Podgorica and certain tourist centers, the quality of supply is weaker," Sekulic said and added that there were no investments in the network for a long time.

She recalled that the ministry and CEDIS have been preparing a revitalization program and that CEDIS has committed 50 million euros for the next three years.

"With those 50 million CEDIS intends to improve the quality of the power supply for the citizens. In the next three years, we intend to fix a certain number of transmission lines, airlines, and reduce the number and duration of electricity outages," Sekulic said and explained that it is not a classic replacement of pillars and wires, but that this project will be measured by indicators that speak about the quality of power supply.

She pointed out that every euro invested in the network must be justified by the number of interruptions, the duration and the quality of the voltage level used by the citizens. She pointed out that a significant topic is a connection to the network. 

"The intention of the ministry is that in the upcoming period, and we will try by the end of the year, to initiate a change in a number of regulations in order to simplify the process of connecting consumers to the network," Sekulic said. Djukanovic said that CEDIS is aware of the fact that, especially in rural areas, the quality of power supply for the citizens is not at a satisfactory level.

"Through communication with the Government and the Ministry, this project was designed in order to invest about EUR 50 million in a relatively short period in order to reduce the duration and number of electricity outages, as well as to improve the voltage conditions for the citizens in the suburbs," explained Djukanovic and stressed that the network was neglected in favor of the tourist region, so the quality of this service is too low. 

"Network connections are one of the most complex processes in CEDIS. We have made some conclusions and I hope that we will come up with new solutions that will shorten the time of connection to the new users," added Djukanovic.

Text by Pobjeda, on November 13th 2018, read more at CdM

November 13, 2018 - The Ministry of Health of Montenegro will support the best students of medicine and young doctors and enable them to improve in the most rewarding institutions in order to apply their expertise in their country and to ensure the continuity of a stable and sustainable health care system, said Minister of Health Kenan Hrapović.

He and his associates and coordinator at the Faculty of Medicine doc. dr. Zorica Potpara spoke with medical students and young doctors, who during the study had the highest average grades and achieved the best results.

"Our goal is to keep the best in the health care system of Montenegro and enable you to get the most current and best medical knowledge from the most heterogeneous institutions in Europe, and the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Health have the will and they can provide that," said Hrapović, emphasizing that the meeting marks a new era in the creation of staff policy when it comes to medicine.

According to him, the Government of Montenegro, each year, allocates 700,000 euros for continuing medical education through the budget of the Ministry of Health.

PHOTO: mzd.gov.me

Speaking about the capacities and excellence of Montenegrin doctors, as well as the Government's investments in human resources, Hrapović reminded that recently, Dr. Nemanja Radojević, through the program of continuing medical education, at the invitation of Hardwood University, among seven thousand applicants from all over the world won the placement among the top five and there he continued his professional development.

General Director of the Directorate for Quality Control and Human Resources in Health, prof. Dr. Vesna Miranović said that the task of the health authorities to recognize the true talents and future leaders in this area who will be able to assume responsibility in the future, know, have a vision, fight for goals and not to give up on this path.

You are a model of young generations, and this is very important for us because you will be able to take over the burden of the Montenegrin health system in the future," Miranovic emphasized. Dr. Branko Lutovac, who graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Podgorica, completed specialist medical studies in immunology in Belgrade, completed a pediatrician specialization a month ago and is currently on doctoral academic studies, he decided, as announced from the Ministry of Health, to return to make a personal contribution to the improvement of the health system.

PHOTO: mzd.gov.me

"It's exactly this way that the Ministry of Health recognizes young potential and takes care of young people, represents the phenomenal synergy where together we can contribute to the improvement of the health system. In spite of the fact that our system is often a target of negative criticism, when you go somewhere in the region, you actually notice the benefits of our system, and learn to appreciate what you have," said Dr. Lutovac.

The best student of his generation, a specialist in internal medicine at KCCG, Dr. Vasilije Boskovic, thanked the Ministry of Health for recognizing their efforts, work and results, as well as giving them support on the path towards a common goal, as he said, to be a service to our people, first of all as good people, and then as exceptional professionals.

"Their support represents a guarantee and a tailwind so we continue to try harder, to work and to gain new knowledge and experiences. And all that has been done so far, the Ministry of Health deserves respect, which is a guarantee of the Government's commitment to improve the health of its people. I never had a dilemma of whether I would work somewhere abroad. From the very beginning and before I enrolled in medicine, I knew it and it was always my goal to contribute to my people and my country, so it will be in the future," said Dr .Bošković.

Text by Vijesti online, on November 12th 2018, read more at Vijesti

12 November 2018 - Representatives of the Government of Montenegro, led by Prime Minister Duško Marković recently met with the delegation of the Old Royal Capital Cetinje, led by Mayor Aleksandar Kašćelan. 

It was stated that the good strategic position of Cetinje valued through the strengthening of the overall infrastructure and creation of new jobs will provide a better life for the citizens of the Old Royal Capital. 

Congratulating on 13 November - Day of the Old Royal Capital Cetinje, the Prime Minister emphasised the undisputed support of the Government for the development of the municipality, but also pointed to the need to strengthen fiscal discipline at the local level. Both sides agreed that additional efforts should be made to consolidate local finances and to collect taxes and reduce the gray economy, especially in the field of tourism. The number of unemployed citizens of Cetinje has been reduced by almost 400 in 2018. 

The meeting also discussed the implementation of capital projects. The 2018 Capital Budget foresaw the amount of 5,541,000 EUR for a total of 32 projects in Cetinje. 

Speaking about the budget for the next year, PM Marković pointed out that it will be focused on development by limiting spending to what is really necessary. 

Kašćelan and his associates expressed satisfaction with the support they receive through the Law on the Old Royal Capital, which enabled them to invest in the equipment of local companies and thus achieve savings. Additional support, as Prime Minister Marković said, can also be expected through the new Law on Financing of Local Self-Government which is being drafted. 

PM Marković concluded that the support and partnership between the Government and the Old Royal Capital remain unquestionable, but that the goal is to turn the possibilities into reality. 

12 November 2018 - Montenegro, 140 years after the Berlin Congress and a turning point in its history, is on a safe path to becoming the next full member of the European Union and taking its place among the developed countries. This was underlined at today's ceremony marking the 140th anniversary of the Berlin Congress.

The celebration of the 140th anniversary of the recognition of Montenegro's independence at the Berlin Congress was sponsored by the Office for European Integration and the Rectorate of the University of Montenegro. 

Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević reminded of the most important attainment of the Berlin Congress - an international recognition of the statehood of Montenegro, which was won after a long-standing struggle in this region, pointing out that this event represented a new page of Montenegro's history, which laid the foundations for the creation of a modern European state.

12 November 2018 - On the occasion of the Jubilee 70 years since the founding of the Athletic Federation of Montenegro and 135 years of athletics in Montenegro, the Municipality of Pljevlja has won a Golden Plaque for the development of athletic sport in both Pljevlja and Montenegro. The Golden Plaque, as the highest recognition of the Athletic Federation of Montenegro, is awarded to individuals or organizations for many years of work and special results in the improvement of athletic sport as well as an exceptional contribution to increasing the reputation of Montenegro and Montenegrin athletics in the country and abroad.

The award ceremony will be held on November 17, 2018 (Saturday) at 12:00 PM in the Millennium hall at the Ramada Hotel in Podgorica.

The ceremony will be attended by President of the European Athletic Federation Svein Arne Hansen, Vice President of the European Athletic Federation and President of the Balkan Athletic Federation Dobromir Karamarinov, Presidents of Athletic Federations of countries from the region: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo, Minister of Sport of Montenegro Nikola Janović, President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, Dušan Simonović, as well as numerous prominent athletic officials.

In addition to the municipality of Pljevlja, the Golden Plaque will be given to the Athletic Club "Rudar" and its coaches Budimir Jestrović and Slaviša Vraneš.

12 November 2018 - The exhibition "Vincenzo Maria Coronelli and Perast", which will be held on Wednesday, November 14 in the Museum of Perast, will mark the beginning of the programme for the 21^st of November – Kotor Municipality Day.

The exhibition is being organised on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the death of Coronelli, the most famous Italian cartographer from the 17th century Venetian Republic and the founder of the oldest geographical association in the world (Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti).

The author of the exhibition is conservator and restorer Maja Uskoković.

The opening of the exhibition is on November 21 at 7 PM and it will mark the start of the Kotor Municipality Day celebration.

Coronelli is known as a theologian, geographer, cosmographer and publisher, known in particular for his atlases and globes. As a cartographer, he is known in Montenegro through isolarios: ”Mari, Golfi, Isole, Spiagge, Porti, Citta, Fortezze ed altri Loughi dell’Istria, Quarner, Dalmazia, Albania, Epiroe Livadia” and atlas "Atlante Veneto" kept in the Museum of Perast.

In order to preserve and protect the cultural heritage, the exhibition will present the stages of the implementation of conservation and restoration works on the isolario, and visitors will be able to get acquainted with its appearance before and after the conservation work.

Coronelli's works are the basis for all subsequent cartographers and travel writers who explored this part of Europe.

Source: Boka News

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November 12, 2018 - About 20 citizens met on Monday at 7pm in the square of Nikola Đurković in Herceg Novi, said Mirsad Kurgaš, initiator of the SOS for Montenegro Network. Kurgaš spent four days walking 145 kilometers from Ulcinj to Herceg Novi to point out to the Montenegrin public of the dangers threatening us from fossil fuel exploration, which would begin on November 14 in Ulcinj's Aquatics.

The SOS for Montenegro March Lasted for Four Days, But it is Just Part of the Campaign

The SOS for Montenegro Network has launched a public information campaign on non-transparent circumstances under which hydrocarbon exploration projects in the Montenegrin submarine are being implemented. SOS for Montenegro calls for a contract termination with the Eni-Novatek consortium, which is recognized by ecocids worldwide, and the introduction of a moratorium on exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels. The signing of the petition, both in Montenegrin and English, is being carried out with the same purpose. The four-day march started from Ulcinj on Friday, 9 November, and Kurgaš, the only participant along the entire 145km route, arrived at Herceg Novi tonight. A petition was also organized during the reception, and among the 50 citizens who joined, there were also representatives of the Herceg Novi Administration, NGOs Anima and the Initiative Bokobran. The petition was signed in Ulcinj, Bar, Petrovac, Budva, and Kotor in the previous days. The response of Tivat citizens was completely absent unless we removed the activists of the Bokobran Initiative, who welcomed Kurgaš in this town.

SOS for Montenegro March Supported by Green Home and Other NGOs, Also by Fishermen

"The non-governmental organization Green Home has given the maximum support. Their activists walked with me every day. We are also supported by NGO Porat Pizana from Budva. Many people I've encountered recognize the problem. Many, however, do not know what's waiting for us or what our decision makers are trying to do. They do not know that it is preceded by the final act, which will attach the last nail to the cover of the dead man's suitcase for Montenegro," says Kurgaš.

Kurgaš believes that we still have time to defend against the drilling of the Adriatic Sea, and the reason for optimism was first of all in Bar, where the March welcomed a large number of citizens. "The fishermen came in at once, both from professional associations and from sport fishermen associations. For 14 November, the exploration of the seismic vessel in the Bar Aquatics was announced. Together with the fishermen, we plan to meet them adequately," says Kurgaš.

Montenegrin Environmental Institutions and Tourism Industry Not Part of SOS for Montenegro Campaign

When asked about the Montenegrin institutions that are in charge of environmental issues, in the first place is the Agency for the Protection of the Environment, and then the Institute for Marine Biology, and the Seismology Institute, and their actions in informing citizens about the consequences from orientation towards the oil industry, Kurgaš points out:

"When we talked to representatives of the oil company, on all the issues they did not know to give us answers, they referred to our institutions. When we were trying to get information from the Seismology Institute, they sent us to the Directorate for Hydrocarbons. However, by searching the Internet, we have come to the Seismological Institute's map on their official site, which shows the epicenters of all earthquakes in 1979. Here you can see that there were over 400 earthquakes with epicenter records this year and one of these earthquake epicenters is on 15 April. This epicenter is in the so-called Block 26, for which the Greek company Energean has been granted a concession. If we take into account the fact that seismic research of hydrocarbons provokes seismic disturbances, or, by ten times, increases the likelihood of the earthquake, then we can assume what this means for Montenegro, or specifically for our coasts and underwater, which is recognized as a truncated area."

It is noteworthy that neither tourist associations are involved in a public dialogue on the expected impact of oil exploration nor exploitation on the Montenegrin tourist industry, notes Kurgaš. "None of the tourist organizations have spoken. Oil platforms and tourism do not coexist, there is no such example in the world. If we take into account how our tourism organization works, then their inertness in the concrete situation can be clear, but it is not clear to us that those who have invested huge sums of money to build, for example, Porto Montenegro or Luštica Bay or Splendid are not involved. I do not know if they are thinking about this topic at all."

Returning to the competent ecological institutions, Kurgaš reminded of a completely different approach to the Institute of Marine Biology, when in 2003 it was explicitly urged of seismic research, citing the specific reasons for such an attitude. "However, that same Institute of Biology must now give the green light for the same research. We simply do not know why it is so. Have people changed in the meantime in the institute? We assume that they have experts even now, so we are not clear why they have to take such an attitude, even if the unprofessional public is clearly aware of the catastrophic consequences of such activities on ecosystems. Just go online and find millions of examples of why we should not let this happen to us in Montenegro. During the exploration in the Ulcinj aquatics in 2003, there was a terrible seabed of fish. Some species have disappeared and almost only started to appear again, which was witnessed by Ulcinj’s fishermen. So, Ulcinjans already have experience with the consequences of seismic research, of course, ugly experience. During this and last year, the concessionaires have been testing the terrain in the Bar aquatics, the trajectory of these probes is available on the SOS for Montenegro FB page. Barge fishermen say it has already caused the consequences, and that the fish are gone. Also, fishermen in Bar already have problems when it comes to the representatives of the oil companies and the official state institutions that assist them in this regard. They already do not allow them to sail out of the marina. If it happens to be the case, they are urgently returning to the coast."

SOS for Montenegro to Force Government to Withdraw Contract with Eni-Novatek

The aim of the SOS for Montenegro initiative is to mobilize the Montenegrin public to press Montenegro's government to withdraw concession contracts for exploration and exploitation of oil and gas, and to introduce a moratorium on such activities in the future. Although the citizens are still not massively involved in the protest, the march organizers are happy with the effect of the action, says Kurgaš.

"As they are not familiar with oil and gas exploration, citizens are not well informed about our march. However, I am very happy that people joined me along the way. I got different expressions of support, people showed me regardless of age and any other difference. They are explicitly opposed to what they intend to do and are prepared to make their contribution to this fight. I believe we will succeed in choosing to. The fishermen began to appear, it seems that they started slowly to get the fear they had. And fear has a reason because it is very likely that they are being subjected to tremendous pressure. They are now starting to resist and resist."

EU and Other Adriatic Countries Should be a Part of SOS for Montenegro

Fishermen can be the last line of defense of the Montenegrin submarine in light of the fact that Montenegro is preparing to open one of the last negotiating chapters with the European Union - Chapter 27 on fisheries.

"By me, Chapter 27 is absolutely incompatible with what is being prepared here. I do not know whether the representatives of the European Union participating in these negotiations have the status of events in Montenegro. In any case, they will have to define their attitude in that regard. This is not, as we have repeatedly emphasized, the only problem of Montenegro, but of all the countries around the Adriatic. If Montenegrin rulers choose to bury us with their own decisions, it is not to be expected that Croatia, for example, will close their eyes, as the announced research will also reflect on them. And in Albania, Italy, Slovenia. The neighboring states and the European Union will have to react to all this, they will definitely not be able to stay alongside," concludes Mirsad Kurgaš.

SOS for Montenegro Supported by Civic Organizations Green Home, Our Action, Porat Pizana, Bokobran, Expeditio, Anima

The best march response was recorded in Ulcinj and Bar. It was also widely visited in Budva, where activists of the NGO Porat Pizana organized the promenade of boats to the island of St. Nicholas. In Tivat, Kurgaš was welcomed only by the activists of the informal civic initiative Bokobran. Activists of NGOs Our action, Green Home and Expeditio have been part of the road towards Kotor, and they supported the signing of a petition, which was attended by about 50 citizens. 

November 12, 2018 - The ALFA Center this year, for the sixth consecutive year, will mark World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Traffic Accidents. The event is sually celebrated around the world during the third week of November since 1993.

This time they are launching the campaign "Let it Ring", which is realized until 18 November in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, which aims to draw attention to the dangers of using mobile devices while driving, reducing the number injured and killed in traffic accidents and raising the level of the traffic culture among all the citizens in Montenegro.

"The use of mobile phones while driving is one of the most common causes of most traffic accidents. To this end, we will conduct a campaign through social networks, as well as through the media that will support us. 17 billboards were posted across Montenegro with a message "Let it Ring" and a series of actions are planned in which members of the Alpha Center together with members of the Police Directorate in several towns at the busiest intersections will control the traffic and warn of the dangers of using mobile phones,” said Branko Cupic, Project Coordinator.

It is important to note that one of the main disadvantages is inadequate electronic records in the health system, which does not show effectively the cases of injured and treated in health institutions, the course of rehabilitation, and the generated costs incurred due to traffic accidents.

"Each country, in accordance with its national legislation, should identify key risk factors for traffic behavior, such as speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances, use of helmets and belts, children's seats, the use of mobile phones while driving, the conditions of the existing traffic infrastructure, technical characteristics of transportation means, adequate issuance of medical certificates for drivers, taking driving exams and issuing driver's licenses," said the NGO ALFA Centar.

Text by Alfa C, on November 10th, 2018, read more at CdM

November 12, 2018 - In addition to the Native Museum in the Castle of King Nikola, Old Town, Bar has another museum under the open sky. Since 2013 in the military part of the port, there is also a naval military museum, the setting of the former arms of the arsenal of the Montenegrin Navy, former JNA, and the Yugoslav Army, that is, Serbia and Montenegro.

Exhibits are well preserved despite the time from when they were produced, and visitors can only see them through a wired fence, unlike in Tivat where at Porto Montenegro parts of the armory and models of the former Yugoslav naval ships are available for sightseeing, along with the basic information and expert explanation.

Anti-ship mines, which are lined up from ships or submarines, are exposed to the Jetty next to the ships, which, with their explosive charging of the warheads and over a hundred kilos of TNT explosives, could destroy even the large war and merchant's vessels. There are anti-submarine mines that were fired from large patrol boats like "Kotor", anti-submarine mines, minesweepers used to discover mines, and more. 

Due to the rationalization and modernization of the Montenegrin Navy, all of those once-murderous assets were thrown out of the arms, and the exhibited items were, as the military dictionary says, disarmed and the explosive charges were removed from them.

The unique setting was exposed to the public on 13^th July 2013, when for the first time the Day of Open Doors was organized by the Montenegrin Navy in honor of the Statehood Day.

In addition to other exhibits, there is also a hyperbaric chamber used by members of diving and underwater diversion units, both for training and in case of an underwater incident.

Special attention is drawn to the large winged rocket, which was fired from the launcher from the deck of frigates, rocket guns and rocket boats. The rocket had a range of more than 70 miles and at the same time, it represented the terror for the navies of neighboring countries.

"The anti-ship missile P-20/21 represents an improved version of the missile P-15 (SS-N-2 Stix). The maximum range of the rocket is 80 kilometers and the cruising speed is 0,9M (900 km / h). Immediately after the launch, the rocket goes into the cruise mode at a height of 300 to 500 meters, and the guidance is inertial - autopilot. At a distance of 10-15 km, encompassing the target, the rocket switches to the active radar self-leveling mode (P-20) or IC self- -21) and reduces the height of the flight to 50 meters, until it hits the target. The total mass of the rocket is 2600 kilograms, of which 513 is the warhead," reads the description of the once-murderous war weapon on the internet forum www.paluba.info which is known for the professional processing of military issues.

Attention is also drawn to the torpedo of 533-millimeter caliber, which the Yugoslav submarines had as the basic weapon until their final disposal. The torpedo had a warhead with more than 200 kilos of very devastating explosives.

In addition to the rest of the underwater arsenal, anti-submarine mines that were in the armory of patrol boats and ships, and anti-submarine mines that served to defend ships on the connection and on an anchor of enemy underwater saboteurs are also set up.

The largest part of the exemplified weapons are Russian, that is, the USSR production.

The non-governmental association "Sua Sponte" launched an initiative in 2008 that the Museum in Bar should get a Navy department.

Text by Radomir Petric, on November 11th, 2018, read more at Vijesti