May 14, 2020 - The date when Montenegro will open its borders is not yet known. Branislav Karadzic, a member of the Operational Staff returning Montenegrin citizens from abroad, believes it will be soon.

"We are working intensively on organizing the return of our citizens who work in other countries. A flight Podgorica-Frankfurt is planned for Friday. We expect an agreement with Serbia on the return of our students to that country next week at the latest. We expect that in the next ten days, the problem of the return of our citizens who have been trapped on the cruiser of the American company "Royal Caribbean" for three months will be solved, " Karadzic told this morning in the TV Vijesti show Boje Jutra.

He added that the main goal is to preserve the health of citizens.

"We expect that our country will soon be a corona-free state. It is difficult to bid when Montenegro opens its borders, but I believe it will be very soon. Based on the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health, the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases will decide on that. When the borders open, the emphasis will be on road traffic. Montenegro may ask passengers to present evidence of a negative coronavirus test result to enter the country, but other authorities decide this. I am sure that we will find the best solution, "Karadzic pointed out.

According to him, the coordinating body is working intensively on the return of Montenegrin citizens to foreign countries where they operate.

As for Montenegrin students who want to return to Serbia due to the June exam period, the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade and the Consulate General in Sremski Karlovci have contacted the authorities in that country.

"Nothing has been agreed yet. About 180 students, who want to return to Serbia on the occasion of the June exams, contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will try to make their status as easy as possible. We expect an agreement next week at the latest, "Karadzic said.

"We returned 206 seafarers with the help of Montenegro Airlines. Many of them returned in individual arrangements in different ways," said a member of the Operational Staff for the return of Montenegrin citizens from abroad, emphasizing that about 580 seafarers remained at sea.

December 21, 2019 - The Gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to €1.63 million in the 3rd quarter of the year, according to preliminary data of MONSTAT. Head of this state body, Ms Gordana Radojević, noted that the GDP real growth rate amounted to 4.7 per cent in the 3rd quarter of 2019.

“In the absolute value, we have achieved an added value by more than €100 million compared to the same quarter last year. Positive movements in GDP in the third quarter are the result of increased production in almost all economic sectors,” Ms Radojevic told the press.

She added that the highest growth in the 3rd quarter was recorded in the construction sector.

“We’ve recorded a 31.4% growth by measuring the value of completed construction works.”

Enormous contribution to the GDP growth in the 3rd quarter has come from tourism, Ms Radojević concluded.

Text by CDM read more here. 

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

December 15, 2019 - During the meeting with the Montenegrin PM Duško Marković, Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis confirmed his arrival to Montenegro next year.

Pope’s Francis visit to our country will have historical significance, the Govt of Montenegro announced.

November 15, 2019 - Representatives of the Ski Centers of Montenegro announce they are completely ready for the incoming winter season and that they “are going to push the tourism offer to the limit and beyond”.

They promise visitors will have a spectacular experience in Kolašin 1600 ski center.

“Ski centers of Montenegro have been working hard on the preparations for the winter season. Hard work will pay off, resulting in numerous events in the Kolašin 1600 ski center that we manage. As far as other ski centers are concerned, Kolašin 1450, Javorovača and Savin Kuk in Žabljak will be active during season, as well as Vučje in Nikšić, Turjak in Rožaje and Lokve in Berane. Tourists who decide to visit Kolašin 1600 will have at their disposal 8,5 km of ski slopes, state-of-the-art six-seat cable car with heaters installed, wi-fi signal, ski rental, ski schools, free parking, coffee bar services and services of Troglav restaurant, as well as rich entertaining program preparation of which is underway”,  said the representatives of ski centers of Montenegro.

The general development concept of ski centers is based on the promotion of the existing active ski centers and construction of new ski centers in Bjelasica, Komovi, Durmitor and Hajla.

Every ski center will have additional amenities for the improvement of offer: entertainment parks with snow tubing, rotondo, moving tracks, bob on the rails, cycling paths, zip line. Works on the extension of ski slopes in Kolašin 1600 are underway.

In accordance with the Government’s policy, around €140 million will be invested in the first phase which refers to Kolašin 1600. The two-kilometer long access road has been constructed, as well as parking for daily skiers, base station facility, the state-of-the-art cable car with 4,5 km of ski slopes.

“We have concluded agreements on the construction of additional 6 km of ski slopes, worth €1,2 million, an agreement on the construction of new six-seat cable car K7, worth €9 million, an agreement on the construction of additional 10 km of ski slopes with K7 cable car linking Kolašin 1600 and Kolašin 1450. In Kolašin 1450, parking for 1600 vehicles will be built, and next year, we will have 45 km of ski slopes in KOlašin 1450”, said the representatives of the company.

Ski center Žarski is expected to become operational in 2021. The first phase is worth €27 million.

“Ski center Cmiljača costs €23 million. Around €17,5 million have been earmarked for the construction of new cable car with 3 km of ski slopes. A tender procedure for the construction of the base station is underway”.

Hajla and Štedim ski centers will be put into function by the end of 2021.

“Savin kuk in Durmitor has two cable cars and three ski lifts serving 5 km of ski slopes. Reconstruction of the existing ski center envisages €27 million worth investment and it will encompass the construction of the new cable car, 4,5 km of ski slopes, accumulation lake, and construction of the new access road and parking.

Text by CDM on November 15, 2019, read more here.

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TMN's dedicated page.

November 12, 2019 - Parliament speaker of Montenegro Ivan Brajović opened the final regional workshop today in Podgorica on strategies and technical approaches to strengthening cooperation between parliaments and supreme audit institutions. The three-day event organized by the parliamentary Committee on Economy, Finances and Budget alongside the World Bank, provides the basis for experts from parliaments and supreme audit institutions to share practices, summarize strategies and technical approaches in fostering mutual cooperation.

In his speech, Mr Brajović stressed the importance of activities implemented by the Network of parliamentary committees on economy, finances and EU integrations, which significantly contributed to networking of parliamentarians in our region, and mentioned the contribution of the World Bank and their experts who have been continuously providing support to MNE and its institutions in various areas.

Speaking about the cooperation between the Parliament of Montenegro and the State Audit Institution, he said that current joint work has been based on the principles of mutual trust, independence, and common interest, in line with the Constitution and competencies defined by the law.

Text by CDM on November 12, 2019, read more here.

To read more about politics in Montenegro, follow TCN's dedicated page.

November 7, 2019 - Data showing that more than 70% of young people want to leave Montenegro is worrying. That fact has nothing to do with politics, religion or any other affiliation. This problem is social and it brings up the following question: What can be done to prevent young people from leaving and provide them with a decent life in their homeland? What is it that country and citizens can do?

November 4, 2019 - A message from Montenegro Dolphin Research:

Montenegro Dolphin Research is a project working in Bar to research and protect dolphins in the Southern Adriatic Sea. Since 2016, we’ve been conducting land- and boat-based surveys in order to monitor dolphin populations in Montenegrin waters. By establishing a knowledge base of distribution patterns, encounter rates and residency patterns of bottlenose and striped dolphins we aim to accumulate enough data to be able to define a plan to ensure that the dolphins can be better protected in the future. 

Sadly, these beautiful animals are classified as at-risk or data deficient and face a range of threats such as habitat degradation, prey depletion, by-catch (when they get tangled up in large fishing nets), vessel traffic and pollution.   

So far, we’ve conducted more than 500 land surveys and over 100 boat surveys, but there’s still more that we can do!  

A huge part of our project involves working with the fantastic local community here in Bar to raise awareness of the threats to Montenegro’s dolphins, and to encourage everyone to get involved and protect the country’s beautiful coastline. Through public awareness campaigns, community days and school presentations we hope to engage as many people as possible with our conservation efforts. 

This week, on Saturday 9th November, we’re hosting a community beach clean. This will be a fantastic opportunity to take part in some direct conservation, clearing the beach of litter and plastic pollution and enjoying a morning in the fresh air!  Please come along to Kraljevska Plaza at 10 am on Saturday to say hello and make a real difference to Montenegro’s dolphins!

You can find the event details here. 

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

01 November 2019 - Tivat Tourism Organisation, in cooperation with partners - Tivat Municipality, Tivat Caterers and Hotel Association, Porto Montenegro, Luštica Bay and Brand New Tivat, announced the “ Tivat Winter Fairy Tale 2020 ” – winter entertainment program which aims to enchant all locals and guests of this gorgeous coastal town in Montenegro.

Tivat's Winter Fairy Tale 2020 begins on November 25th with the opening of an ice rink and a concert by regional star Nataša Bekvalac and the Magla Band.

In addition to the ice rink, which the citizens and guests of Tivat will be able to enjoy next month, Riva Pine will evoke the holiday spirit until the end of the New Year's program on January 3^rd with decorated wooden food carts. The Winter Fairy Tale program will include numerous Christmas fairs, charity bazaars, various themed content, music concerts, daily house events, a full day of fun for the kids with the Magic Forest, a children's play on the ice and a traditional Leontine concert with guests, as well as many other activities by the children of Tivat to all children in Tivat.

The main New Year's program is reserved for December 31, 2019, and New Year's Eve with the Lexington Band and Milligram concert, while on January 1, 2020, Marija Šerifović and Saša Kovačević will perform.

Guests in Tivat will also be entertained by Van Gogh - December 28, Vlatko Stefanovski and the Bitolj Chamber Orchestra - NY Rock Symphony - December 29, Željko Bebek - December 30, Ana Stanić & Pop Symphony - January 2 and many others surprise guests.

“The Winter Fairy Tale in Tivat 2020 opens its doors to all lovers of winter magic, festive atmosphere, good fun with fun to remember. Experience your fairy tale on the Riviera Pine and experience the magic of coastal winter idyll in Tivat,” says the invitation by the Tivat Tourism Organisation.