News

08 Nov 2018, 06:58 AM

07 November 2018 - The "Tradition of dance and music in Central Europe" Manifestation started on Tuesday, November 6, with the organization "Open Dance House" - interactive music and dance evenings featuring artists from five Central European countries and Montenegro with interested fellow citizens.

The main goal of the organizers of this event is for participants to teach each other different dance moves and steps as parts of traditional dance types of the country from which they come from. During this event, the participants also wanted to emphasize their countries’ customs and tradition.

This two-day international event began with an interactive music and dance spectacle in which numerous dance enthusiasts participated, and on Wednesday, November 7, a gala concert was held at the Great Hall of the Cultural Information Centre “Budo Tomović“, starting at 8 pm, for which the citizens showed great interest.

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The concert featured music duo Agnes Palmisano and Andreas Teufel (Austria), Tomáš Kočko & Orchestra (Czech Republic), Zagyva Bend (Hungary), Tęgie Chłopy Band (Poland) musician Vladimir Homola (Slovakia) and Folklore Ensemble CIC “Budo Tomović".

The second night of the manifestation was opened by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Dražen Blažić, Hungarian Ambassador to Montenegro, József Négyesi and Snežana Burzan, director of CIC "Budo Tomovic".

08 Nov 2018, 06:54 AM

07 November 2018 - Successful implementation of joint activities of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is a good basis for continuing cooperation in the direction of further strengthening regional and international cooperation in the field of border security, it was concluded at today's meeting of Montenegrin Minister Mevludin Nuhodžić with Director of DCAF Ljubljana and DCAF Border Security Programme for Southeast Europe Anton Travner.

Minister Nuhodžić expressed his gratitude for the continued assistance provided by DCAF to Montenegro, especially in the area of cross-border police cooperation, exchanging experiences and the implementation of training, and highlighted his satisfaction with previous joint actions under the DCAF Border Security Programme.

The meeting was an opportunity to share impressions on the recently implemented joint police operation "Tuzi 2018", which was conducted with the support of representatives of European agencies Europol, Frontex and IOM, which confirmed that Montenegro is working proactively in the prevention of illegal migration and cross-border crime. Both sides agreed that the operation was extremely successful, both in terms of detecting migratory routes and exchanging information between the police and the implementation of the readmission procedure with the Republic of Albania.

While expressing full support for Montenegro in the area of border security, Director DCAF Ljubljana Anton Travner praised Montenegro's progress so far and expressed the expectation that good dynamics will continue, with a special focus on further improving technical capacities at the border, strengthening human resources and strengthening the mutual cooperation of police officers in the field of combating cross-border crime and illegal migration.

The meeting also discussed activities planned for the next period within the DCAF Border Security Programme, and the readiness of Montenegro to continue its participation in operations and projects in order to achieve modern standards in this area.

Read more information about Montenegro’s border security here, while the EU assistance to Montenegro’s border security is presented here

07 Nov 2018, 14:46 PM

November 7, 2018 - The Austrian archaeological institute, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, conducted a research project of the Austro-Hungarian fortifications in Montenegro.

An expert team of six specialists, coordinated by Lili Zabran, conducted a two-week research of the fortresses Gorazde and Kosmac, which were selected for detailed assessment and preparation of basic documentation. Since further use requires detailed construction surveys, the implemented project has focused on forming documentation and assessing the damage to further planning.

The results of the campaign are the basis for the development of a future project, which, in addition to military research, will include research into documentation and realization of the construction of fortifications, maintenance, and establishing communication and supply in times of war and peacetime. Information will also be collected on soldiers stationed in fortresses, as well as their interaction with the civilian population. The subject of the research will be the use of fortresses during the Second World War as well as during the former Yugoslavia.

Experts from the Center for Archeology and Conservation of Montenegro and the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Property followed the activities carried out on the terrain by the representatives of the Archaeological Institute of Austria.

The project is implemented on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Archaeological Institute of Austria, signed by the Ministry of Culture in June 2018, which envisages cooperation in the field of education and training of professional staff in the field of protection and preservation of cultural goods as well as the joint action in the field of protection of immovable cultural goods.

Support for the realization of this project was provided by the Embassy of Austria in Montenegro, as well as the municipalities of Budva and Kotor.

Text by CdM, on November 6th, 2018, you can read more at CdM

07 Nov 2018, 14:33 PM

November 7, 2018 - This year, Tivat will celebrate the town’s celebration day on November 21st with the "November Days" event, which, over 23 days, will have as many as 47 different political, social, cultural, entertainment and sports programs.

"November Days " are a tradition and honor for us. We have designed this year's event to be as innovative as possible, with better quality and content, so that all structures of our population will be able to find something for themselves, from the youngest to the oldest," said the Mayor of Tivat Siniša Kusovac.

At the press conference, the program of events was presented which began today and will continue until November 29th. The conference included the Culture and Social Affairs Secretary Dubravka Nikcevic, Secretary of Youth, Sports and Social Affairs Darka Ognjanovic, as well as the representatives of the Center for Culture, Tourism Organizations and Brand New Tivat.

Nikčevič underlined that in addition to the Municipality, Tourism Organization, Center for Culture and Brand New Tivat, a whole range of institutions, organizations, sports clubs and NGOs are involved in the design and launch of the program. As a special novelty, a program called "To the Town for its Birthday" was emphasized, which will be held after the formal session of the local parliament on the Municipal Day on November 21st, when an interesting entertainment program will be organized at the Magnolia Square, where, with music and food, the representatives of Municipality will talk with the citizens and share material about the role and achieved results of the local government.

Nikcevic also announced the "Open Door Day" at the Military Naval Ship “Jadran”, which will be open for visits to all students from Tivat schools on November 16th.

"November Days" will feature numerous tournaments in chess, basketball, bowling, table tennis, sailing regattas, and athletic races, while the cultural events will include several theatrical performances, art and photographic exhibitions, concerts by the Musical Education Society "Tivat ", that is, the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra, the promotion of books and a special homage to the recently deceased famous actress - the great friend of Tivat, Milena Dravic.

TO Tivat will organize a handicrafts and souvenir fair, in cooperation with the NGO sector, as well as a special new event dedicated to the gastronomic heritage and traditional cuisine of Boka called "Stroll of the Bumblebee".

Apart from the rest of the upcoming festivities, the Tivat Protection and Rescue Service will be officially handed over a special small fire emergency vehicle for narrow streets worth 60,000 euros, and a concert by the High Music School Tivat on November 22nd will officially announce the new multimedia cultural space that the town received in the space of the reconstructed building DTV "Partizan", in whose reconstruction and equipment the Municipality invested almost half a million euros.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on November 6th, 2018, read more at Vijesti

07 Nov 2018, 14:28 PM

November 7, 2018 - The construction of a military hospital for the needs of the Army of Montenegro (VCG) and citizens is planned on the premises of the barracks in Masline, and the valorization of this part is one of the priorities for the Ministry of Defense, it was announced after the meeting of Minister Predrag Boskovic and Mayor Ivan Vukovic.

After the meeting, Vukovic said that the construction of the military hospital is one of the new, capital projects.

As he said, the Ministry intends to build a military hospital, which would serve the needs of VCG, but would also be open to citizens, because it would be linked to the healthcare system of Montenegro.

Boskovic said one of the major priorities for the Ministry of Defense is the valorization of the barracks 'Marko Miljanov Popovic', with more than 380 thousand square meters.

As he stated, after gaining independence, this area was not maintained in the right way. "Works in this area have already begun. The appointment of staff who will carry out the elaborate of the barracks in Masline in ongoing," Boskovic added.

Vuković said that the Ministry of Defense and VCG is not only a credible international partner but also an important partner of the capital in numerous projects and jobs, which may not be directly related to what is the primary activity of the military.

Vukovic thanked the Ministry for help in breaking through the roads in rural areas of Podgorica.

 As he stated, with the help of the Ministry, over the past three years, about 100 km (km) of new roads have been constructed. Vukovic added that the ministry helped during the fire season during, of which there were 12 joint interventions. 

"There is a lot of space for cooperation. A number of topics were opened at the meeting, and we discussed the ways to use certain locations in the Capital. The Ministry is in possession of significant land sites," added Vukovic. He said that the capital is interested in certain locations owned by the Ministry, which, as he added, will try to put them in the function of cultural development in the area of Podgorica. According to Vukovic, the formation of a working group was agreed, which will deal more closely with all the topics of today's meeting. He said that the relocation of the monument of Josip Broz Tito from the memorial room in the barracks in Masline to another location in the Capital which has not yet been determined is in process. "If everything goes well, it's not unrealistic for the monument to see the light of the day on December 19th," Vukovic said.

One of the key challenges, he said, is the housing problem of VCG employees.

"We hope that the army will never be used to protect the state borders from aggression from anyone, but it will be useful for civil institutions and citizens in solving the challenges that exist," said Boskovic.

He added that one part of the barracks in Masline will be open to the public and that there is an initiative to turn the memorial room into a museum.

Asked whether the Montenegrin army, which took part along with the allies in World War I, would mark a hundred years since the end of the war, Boskovic said that October 5th was celebrated as the day of VCG and that there would be no special celebrations.

Vukovic said that the capital will not participate in the celebration of the tragic moment of Montenegrin history, the Podgorica Assembly, and that the request for the celebration has not been made so far.

Asked by journalists whether the nuclear shelters would be valorized, Vukovic said that the future working group would deal with this issue.

"We intend to implement the project of the western bypass, that is the road that will connect the Cetinje and Niksic roads, the construction of a boulevard between Podgorica and Danilograd should start next year," Vukovic concluded.

Text by MINA, on November 6th, 2018, read more at Vijesti

07 Nov 2018, 12:24 PM

November 7, 2018 - The ten-month commercial indicators in 2018 are the best in the history of Montenegro Airlines' business. The most similar ten-month result in the previous years was for 23,519 passengers below this year, and it was achieved with a larger fleet and 2,141 flights more than was the case in the ten months of 2018. This result represents the best introduction to the year of the quarter-century celebration since the national airline was established, said the director of the national airline Živko Banjević in an interview with “Dnevne novine”.

Banjević emphasizes that Montenegro Airlines will mark its 24th birthday and entry into the 25th year of business as a socially responsible company with a donation to the Clinical Center of Montenegro for the procurement of missing medical equipment.

DN: Obviously, you are vastly satisfied with your business results.

BANJEVIC: Of course. For ten months this year, Montenegro Airlines has transported 576,000 passengers in all three categories of traffic, regular, charter and code-share. This result was achieved with 6,704 flights in regular and charter traffic, i.e. with a fleet of up to six aircraft. We've recorded 68,751 or 13.55% more passengers compared to the same period in the previous year, with one additional plane in the seasonal period, as well as 635 or 10.46% more flights in regular and charter traffic. By the end of the year we expect from 50,000 to 60,000 passengers, so the total number of passengers transported in 2018 will be greater than 620,000. 

Our 576,000 passengers represent 25.44% of the total number of passengers served at Montenegrin airports from the beginning of this year until the end of October, in competition with up to 45 other regular, charter and low-cost airlines. MA in the first six months of this year, with the increase in the number of passengers transported by 9.18% compared to the same period of the previous year, recorded the highest growth compared to airlines from the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The preliminary business result of MA for ten months in 2018 is 1.5 million euros higher compared to the same period of the previous year, and it has been the best in the last four years, regardless of some aggravating factors that could not be influenced, out of which I would, in particular, emphasize the extremely high fuel costs. 

DN: You are at the head of the MA for less than two years, and you, along with the Board of Directors, got the "hot potatoes". What is the best scenario, in your opinion, for the state and employees, i.e. for the company? It was recently announced that there is an interest in purchasing of MA ?

Banjević: At the beginning of 2017, Montenegro Airlines was in an extremely difficult position, from the aspect of the financial, commercial and operational business. With the support of the owners, the company's management, managerial and staff efforts, the business is mostly consolidated and optimized, as is shown by the results from the beginning of January last year to the present day. Deloitte's analysis from the end of last year has shown that the continuation of the business gives overall better results compared to alternative scenarios, i.e. programmed bankruptcy and liquidation. The Government of Montenegro, knowing the importance that the MA has for the Montenegrin economy, together with the management of the company, is looking for an adequate model of financial consolidation primarily from the aspect of the debts towards the Tax Administration, Flight Control and Airports of Montenegro, as well as the optimal long-term solution for the company's business. 

DN: The MA Board of Directors, at a regular session held last week, adopted the proposal regarding the Consolidation Plan

Banjević: That's right. The Board adopted the Proposal of the consolidation plan from the aspect of the debts incurred as well as the long-term stable business model, which was sent to the line ministry and the owner. For now, I can say that this is a project in phases, which optimizes the Company's business in a flexible manner, not excluding the option of finding a strategic partner and eventual privatization.

For Montenegro, the most important thing is that there is a functional airline in this region, which will work in the interest of its citizens and the entire Montenegrin economy, as well as represent a stable relationship with the Europe and the world. The interest in purchasing Montenegro Airlines shows us that it is also recognized by potential investors that the Company has achieved significant results on the way to recovery, and that this is done in the right way, the importance of the airline for this area and the market potential.

DN: What was the burden of MA's business over the past year and nine months since you are at its head?

Banjević: In addition to the known outstanding debt to the Tax Administration, Flight Control and Airports of Montenegro, the new management, after taking over the company’s business operations, had to deal with 16.5m EUR of outstanding debt to foreign suppliers, primarily to aircraft owners, airline parts, EUROCONTROL, as well as to domestic suppliers and commercial banks. Therefore, everything that could stop the further business of the company in one day. We succeeded in reaching agreements with everyone so that the continuity in MA operations was not interrupted. We have respected all these agreements and restored the trust of our partners and associates. The high growth rate in air traffic in the already congested European market, with one of the historically most unstable seasons in terms of weather conditions over Europe, has caused frequent shifting of slots for flights, leading to delays on which MA could not have affected, as well as any other airlines. This summer, for the first time in our fleet, we had a Boeing B737-500 aircraft, which was leased together with the provision of all operational services by the partners, due to which the deviations in terms of regularity of the traffic could not be influenced to its fullest extent.  

DN: Mostly for what?

Banjević: It is certainly an enormous increase in fuel prices by as much as 27% compared to last year, which was not predictable. Namely, the cost of air-fuel for these nine months in 2018 is 4.3 million euros higher compared to the same period last year, i.e. by 3.2 million euros higher than the plan for this year. Nevertheless, so far, we have managed to deal with all the difficulties.

DN: And you were often present in the media ... How much has it affected the company's business?

Banjević: Frequent captions in the media, the departure of the MA into bankruptcy, insolvency, etc. have directly affected the decline in sales in certain periods. Almost all foreign partners, primarily fuel suppliers at airports, as well as airport companies, have requested payment of complete services in advance, in order to protect their business from "Bankruptcy and Liquidation of MA". There was also frequent blocking of accounts by Flight Control and domestic commercial banks. After all, we are still here, stronger and more stable. That's how it will remain.

DN: We are witnessing that countries greatly assist the national airlines in covering losses. In our country, the help of the state to MA is not welcomed from part of the public and the media. How would you comment on that?

Banjević: You are right when you say that part of the public and the media did not positively support what the Government and Parliament provided to the Company in the past period. I think that this is primarily due to insufficient information about the importance of MA for the Montenegrin economy. You see, MA in its history transported 8.9 million passengers up until today. Only in the period from January last year to present, when the Government of Montenegro intervened with the change of management and with later support, the Company transported more than 1.1 million passengers. So, more than one and a half times the size of Montenegro. MA is the second largest state-owned company, which has an annual income of about 70 million euros, and whose indirect effects on tourism revenue range from 150-180 million euro per year. Direct effects related to the payment of gross salaries, payment of services to Montenegrin airports, engagement of domestic economy outside tourism, etc., which also remain in Montenegro, are going up to 15 million euros a year. Bearing all this in mind, those actions that the government took in 2017 and later in order to rescue the national airline company, we can call politically accountable and economically wise. 

DN: What was the alternative?

Banjević: The alternative was closing the Company, which would mean that tens of millions of obligations on various bases would be borne by the state, with a direct impact on tourism revenues last year, as well as in 2018 and later, i.e. all the positive effects I mentioned earlier would be lost. All in all, they would pay incomparably more from the country's cash register and lose their airline with a negative effect on the tourism economy. Also, we are really witnessing that countries in the region and in Europe are helping their national airlines, managing economic principles and recognizing their importance for the entire state economy. It has recently been reported in the media that a European state has helped its airlines with a fuel subsidy of about $ 350m, due to the enormous growth in fuel prices in 2018. Taking into account the achieved results, as well as the aforementioned facts about the importance of MA for the Montenegrin economy, we believe that MA justified the support provided by the Government of Montenegro.

DN: How did this year's tourist season go? What are the results?

Banjević: During the high season, from June 1st to September 30th, MA transported 350.677 passengers in all three categories of traffic, regular, charter and code-share, which is 17.86% more than in the same period of the previous year. This result is a record in the history of the company's business, in line with the business plan for 2018, and was achieved with one additional airplane and 492 flights more than in the previous year.

Renting the sixth airplane with bigger capacity has proven to be a good business move for many reasons. We transported more passengers in comparison to the previous year and with six planes, achieved record results. We have returned a part of the market that we could not cover with the situation in the previous year or with five aircraft. We have transported more passengers than ever before with six or more aircraft, which means that we did not stagnate in the period when there is a trend of an increase in the passenger traffic in the airline business at the Montenegrin market, but on the contrary, we contributed to this and took an additional part of the market for ourselves, making additional income. In the end, we also protected our future operations as we showed that we have the capacity for six aircraft and more than 600,000 passengers per year.

During this year's summer season, MA traveled to 27 destinations in 15 countries.

Banjević: MA has become a looked-for partner for cooperation. Now, the complete picture of the company in the world is completely different. Information on the results we achieve, the potential of MA and the Montenegrin tourism industry, as well as the plans for the future, have found their way to existing foreign partners and to representatives of various branches of the aviation industry or commercial aviation. MA is now seen as a desirable partner for cooperation, to these people and companies. 

MA flies to 30 destinations in 16 countries 

DN: Where do MA planes fly? Are all the routes you maintain cost-effective? 

Banjevic: In 2018, MA flies to 30 destinations in 16 countries. Eight destinations are all year long, and they are Belgrade-Serbia, Ljubljana-Slovenia, Rome-Italy, Vienna-Austria, Zurich-Switzerland, Frankfurt-Germany, Paris-France and Moscow-Russia. Seasonal regular destinations are Dusseldorf, Munich and Leipzig in Germany, Lyon-France, London-United Kingdom, Copenhagen-Denmark, and St. Petersburg-Russia. The charter destinations are Tel Aviv-Israel, Naples, Bari, Palermo in Italy, Oslo-Norway, Helsinki-Finland, Bratislava, Košice, Poprad-Tatry in Slovakia, Ostrava-Czech Republic, Brive and Marseille in France, Salzburg and Linz in Austria, Tehran-Iran.  The revenues from charter and co-transport services fully cover all costs, with adequate income. Revenues from all regular lines of MA, year-round and seasonal, fully cover the so-called direct operating costs, such as aviation fuel, airport services, EUROCONTROL and flyovers, aircraft maintenance, etc. However, these revenues cannot fully cover the fixed and additional costs at each destination, and these are all others except the direct flights. That is exactly what makes the minus in the business, which we will try to solve within a long-term business model.

Text by Dnevne novine, on November 5th, 2018

07 Nov 2018, 00:36 AM

06 November 2018 - A modern multimedia web presentation that, like the new visual identity of the institution, was based on guidelines of branding and strengthening the institution as a whole, was recently promoted as the new internet presentation of the Museums of Kotor - the Museum of Perast, Lapidarium, Church of St. Pavle, Solidarity Gallery, Small and Large Grudge, as well as the other heritage under the authority of the Museums of Kotor.

The internet presentation of the cultural treasure which the heritage guarded under the Museums of Kotor has been based on the model of the leading regional web portals intended for culture and museum activity, keeping the modern aesthetic and technical internet categories, with the utmost respect for the principles of originality and belonging to the Mediterranean cultural circle.

The multilingualism of this presentation is also a significant step forward, but also a valuable rarity among the cultural institutions of this region, because the complete content, including news, can be followed in English, Italian and Russian in addition to the Montenegrin language. This feature of the official website of the institution is valuable because of the more contentious presentation of valuable cultural heritage and the promotion of international cooperation, and the importance of attracting foreign visitors and strengthening the commercial segment of the institution with the aim of its self-sustainability.

Comprehensive service information is available to interested visitors, experts and users of the institution's premises, and in order to comply with legal obligations and transparency of work on the site, relevant data on public procurement and anti-corruption documents are also available.

The official website was made by the renowned company Implementacija d.o.o. in cooperation with the professional staff of the Museums of Kotor.

Internet presentation of Museums of Kotor is available for all guests and you can read more about it here.

07 Nov 2018, 00:24 AM

06 November 2018 - The Sea Dance Music Festival in Buljarica has brought a lot of benefits to this particular area, including the recognition on the tourist map of Montenegro, as well as investments in road and communal infrastructure, which has been neglected for years, as noted by President of the Buljarica Local Community, Đorđe Gregović.

By investing in road and communal infrastructure, which had been neglected for many years, and by changing the water supply network, this area has taken on a different appearance.

"I would like to emphasize that one large area has been cleaned and that it is in the benefit of the inhabitants, because it was in a rather neglected state. The biggest benefit is marketing for the future," Gregović said.

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A month ago, the Buljarica Local Community submitted an initiative to the Municipality of Budva for a large piece of attractive municipal land which is near the sea to be brought to shape, so it can meet its buyer.

"This is an attractive location and it is suitable for tourist construction. We proposed to the Municipality to find a buyer and to build an investment fund for Buljarica from these funds. This money would be directed to the construction of a road and infrastructure network that is currently modest in Buljarica," Gregović noted.

During the budget preparation, the representatives of this Local Community will insist on new requirements.

"There are a couple of things we need to insist on: it is building at least one of the two key boulevard routes in Buljarica and beginning to solve the sewage system, because there is nothing regulated here right now and we all know how much it is needed especially in the summer days," concluded Gregović.

06 Nov 2018, 23:33 PM

06 November 2018 - The President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, recently presented the bases of the Individual investment program at the 12th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference that is taking place in Dubai, hosted by Henley and Partners. Đukanović presented the ideas of Montenegro, in the context of introducing the program of economic citizenship based on attracting foreign direct investments.

“Our goal is to further enhance and generate interest of new investors who can be a candidate for Montenegrin citizenship by investing in Montenegro. The vital interest of Montenegro is to implement this Program in such a way that using the experiences of other countries eliminates all the risks that its implementation might pose. The program will allow applications to those persons who have proved credibility in the personal and professional sense,  and it will allow inflow of funds that have a legal origin,” said Đukanović.

He added that every program can be long-term and stable provided that both sides can see the benefits of mutual cooperation. The interest of the state is to enhance development, create new jobs, reduce the foreign trade deficit.

“The implementation of this Program will enable a more efficient and more transparent procedure of granting citizenship to investors. This will create tighter bonds between quality investors and Montenegro, since, as 'goodwill ambassadors', they will promote its economic potentials and interests,” said President Đukanović.

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Individual investment program, as he points out, must enable high-quality use and better valorization of natural resources for the state and local communities.

“Developed economic and political values, together with our constant efforts to strengthen them further, are our legitimacy to have an open invitation for investors to start their business in Montenegro. Briefly, the invitation is open for everybody who is ready to create our future with us,” noted President of Montenegro.

He also spoke about the current geographical position of Montenegro and pointed out the efforts it put in the improvement of its business environment and strengthening the economy. Planned infrastructure projects and economic and financial indicators confirm that country's progress and growth is not accidental. In the future, stable and dynamic growth is expected.

During the conference, Đukanović spoke to the operation director of Henley & Partners Co. and they exchanged their opinions about the improvement of Montenegro and about the advantages of this programme.

 

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

06 Nov 2018, 23:23 PM

06 November 2018 - The prime ministers of Montenegro and Finland, Duško Marković and Juha Sipilä, agreed at the working meeting, which took place in Helsinki, that Montenegro has made strong progress in the European integration process and that the process will be continued with the full support of Finland, which will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2019.

Prime Minister Marković welcomed the merit-based approach depending on concrete results achieved by each individual country, adding that, in addition to Finland’s support, Montenegro also expects the support of other Nordic countries.

The Prime Minister of Finland said that Montenegro has made significant progress over the past ten years, highlighting that it has done the best job in the region, which, in his words, is clearly visible. Prime Minister Sipila expressed his Government's position that Montenegro is welcomed into the European Union once it has fulfilled the necessary standards.

Prime Minister Marković informed his Finnish counterpart about the comprehensive economic reforms the Government of Montenegro has undertaken with a view to achieving fiscal consolidation, as well as the numerous development projects that are being implemented with the aim of raising the living standards of citizens and a higher quality of life.

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The Prime Minister of Finland noted that Montenegro is now a very attractive investment destination, while Prime Minister Marković stressed that the country has seen obvious democratic and development transformation, in particular after joining NATO and achieving significant progress in the context of EU membership.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to Finland for supporting the EU integration of the Western Balkans, thus contributing to the stability of Europe. "The European perspective should be open to the entire region. This strengthens democracy throughout the region," PM Marković said. 

Speaking about the process of Montenegrin European integration, the Prime Minister said that Montenegro made a major step forward in the rule of law and in all significant areas during the negotiations with the European Commission in the past six years. 

PM Marković said that the Government of Montenegro believes that the Grand Committee, which has the power to make decisions on all issues of Finland's participation in the European Union, will contribute to Montenegro's progress in the integration process by supporting the enlargement policy. 

PM Marković also expressed the belief that the Finnish EU presidency will mark a new phase in the negotiating process of Montenegro, which is precisely the opening of negotiation chapters. 

"These talks aim not only to bring Montenegro closer to the EU but also to gain a higher level of trust in Montenegro and new partnerships for Montenegro on its path to the EU," Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded at the end of his working visit to the Republic of Finland.

06 Nov 2018, 14:21 PM

November 6, 2018 - The Ministry of Defense will invest less than 70,000 euros in overhauling the naval ships in Montenegro.

Almost half of the money - 34,000 euros - will be intended for the repair of motorboats "Bojana" and "Milena", while 10,000 euros will go for the overhaul for the school ship "Jadran".

When it comes to the school boat "Jadran", the tender documents require the overhaul of the boat type "Šljupka".

These works, inter alia, include replacing wooden parts of the boat, replacing parts for lifting the boats, repairing the plastic parts and coloring and painting of the entire boat.

The school ship "Jadran" found itself in the center of the regional public’s attention in August due to the insistence of the Croatian authorities that it belongs to them. Defense Minister Predrag Boskovic said at a ceremony marking the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the ship “Jadran” in August in Tivat that the official Podgorica was open to all its allies in using the boat, but that the sailing boat will remain in Montenegro and sail under its flag. 

"Croatia will take all legitimate steps to get it back under the Croatian flag and Montenegro expects to respect international law and the succession agreement that includes the ship “Jadran"," his Croatian counterpart Damir Krsticevic said at the time. 

The school ship "Jadran" was built in Germany in 1933 on the order of the Navy of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. For most of the overhaul works, a deadline of 90 days is scheduled for the completion, except for motorboats. Such jobs on sailing boats cannot be done at low temperatures and they should be completed by May 1st, it is specified by the tender documentation on the portal for public procurement procedures. 

On the website of the Ministry, it was noted that "Bojana" and "Milena" sailboats type "ELAN 43" were built in Begunje, Slovenia in 1989 and in the same year they entered the operational use of the Military Navy of SFRJ within the school ships unit. Through operational use, within the Navy units, they have been used to train senior personnel primarily in sailing and all other marine and navigational skills. The tender foresees 20,000 euros for pipe repairs and metal works on ships, and 4,000 euros for stator and rotor rewinding services of electric motors on them. Bids are to be submitted by November 26th.

Text by Milos Rudovic, on November 6th, 2018, read more at Vijesti

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