30 July 2019 - The public consultation was organized in Podgorica by the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Council of Europe and the European Union Delegation to Montenegro on the proposal for the law on Audio-Visual Media Services. Participants included representatives of media companies and NGOs dealing with issues related to media.

In a lively debate, it was concluded that Montenegro, as a European Union candidate country, has to align its legislation with the EU’s Audio-visual Media Services Directive.

Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanović recalled that in 2018, a legislative review was initiated to align the media law with international standards, supported by experts from the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, and followed by a broad dialogue among all stakeholders.

“Due to the rapid development of the media industry, additional issues relating to the free and unobstructed work of electronic media need to be regulated by law. The draft Law on Audio-Visual Media Services, implementing the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council and amending the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive, was adopted at the end of 2018 by the European Parliament. In addition, the draft recommendations from the JUFREX Analysis of the Media Sector of Montenegro have been implemented,” said Minister Bogdanović, as Ministry of Culture of Montenegro reported.

He also emphasized that the Government is an constructive partner in the field of democratic and reform processes, based on EU standards of a regulated media environment and as an essential precondition for building an open, multicultural society, with full readiness for European integration.

Head of the Co-operation Section at the EU Delegation to Montenegro Hermann Spitz said that Montenegro, as an EU candidate country, has to align its legislation with the EU’s Audio-visual Media Services Directive and that the process needs to be inclusive, coordinated and transparent.

“The EU, together with our partners in the Council of Europe and the OSCE, is happy to provide expertise and help Montenegro with the Draft Law on Audio-visual Media Services. The set of three new laws, which are being prepared by Montenegro, as well as the ongoing call for a new Council of the Agency for Electronic Media, represent very good opportunities for improving Montenegro’s track record in the media field. This is something that citizens expect and that the EU will continue to monitor very closely,” said Spitz.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Maryse Daviet recalled that two other media round table discussions took place this year: the first in February on the Draft Law on Media, and the second in March on the Draft Law on the public broadcaster, RTCG.

“Both roundtable discussions gave the public the opportunity to discuss the proposed amendments, as well as to hear the analysis of a number of international media legislation experts. With this third roundtable discussion, we hope to provide you with the same opportunity,” said Daviet.

Key recommendations of the Media Sector Analysis from 2017 were the basis for the legal reforms in Media law, said Lejla Dervišagić, Co-ordinator for the Council of Europe delegation.

“These reforms will be implemented in the second phase of the Council of Europe and EU’s joint JUFREX project: Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in South-East Europe, over the next three years,” she concluded.

Read more news about lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

29 July 2019 - The political and economic climate in Montenegro provides realistic and tangible chances for new development, for the Diaspora's investment in profitable projects that can contribute to even higher rates of economic growth of Montenegro, Prime Minister Duško Marković said at the constituent session of the second convocation of the Council for Cooperation with Diaspora – Emigrants.

Speaking about the vision of the cooperation between the homeland and the Diaspora, the Prime Minister said that it exceeds in sending money to families, not ignoring its importance, given that in this way, Montenegro receives over half a billion euros annually. Pointing to the achieved significant economic growth, PM Marković said that such a result was largely contributed by foreign direct investment.

"I would really be happy if in the coming period, among the investors who came to Montenegro from nearly a hundred foreign countries, there would be a larger number of our successful people who have developed their businesses around the world," Prime Minister Marković said.

In this context, the Prime Minister urged the local self-governments to design and send development projects to the Government; to be cooperative and open to ideas from our Diaspora.

"There is enough money for all good business ideas and, as the Prime Minister, I guarantee that the Government will strongly support any such idea," said Marković in the official report made by his Office.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Montenegro is a big construction site, and that today's Montenegro and the Montenegro they left, even just a few years ago – they cannot recognize. In this transformation, he added, he sees a significant space for a greater presence of the emigrant community. He recalled that the support of the Diaspora was crucial in the renewal of independence, and that their vote YES on 21 May 2006 was YES to Montenegro, European and Euro-Atlantic, multi-confessional and anti-fascist, economically viable and prosperous. PM Marković thanked the previous members of the Council for their engagement in the past three years.

"Not only because it was our legal obligation arising from the Law on Cooperation of Montenegro with Emigrants, but also equally important I consider our moral obligation to all those generations of Montenegrin emigrants and their descendants scattered all over Europe and the world," Prime Minister Duško Marković stressed.

Read more news about business in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

29 July 2019 - The Montenegro national water polo team under 15 years won the silver medal at U15 Water Polo Championships which was held in Burgas, Bulgaria. The inaugural edition of the men’s U15 European Water Polo Championships was a tremendous success in Burgas. Hungary won the first title in the final against Montenegro (15-9), while Italy won the bronze.

29 July 2019 - According to the latest data from Eurostat, the most expensive country in Europe to live in is Iceland, and Montenegro has reached the 30th place.

A recent article by Eurostat presents the most recent analysis of price levels for consumer goods and services in the European Union (EU) as well as EU membership candidates, focusing on price level indices (PLIs), which provide a comparison of countries' price levels relative to the EU average and are calculated using purchasing power parities. The results are based on price surveys covering more than 2000 consumer goods and services which were conducted across 37 European countries participating in the Eurostat-OECD Purchasing Power Parities (PPP) program. The group of participating countries includes the 28 EU Member States, three EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), five candidate countries (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey) as well as one potential candidate country (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The Eurostat data shows that in terms of price level indices (PLIs) for total household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) on goods and services in 2018, Iceland and northern European countries tend consistently to have the highest prices, while south-eastern European countries show the lowest prices. Based on the HFCE data, Eurostat formed a list of the most expensive countries to live in, and Iceland, Switzerland and Norway have made it to the top of the list, while Montenegro is ranked 30^th.

Further, the data also shows that the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages in Montenegro is relatively low (with price level index 78), as well as the price of alcoholic beverages and tobacco (price level index 71) when compared with other European countries. North Macedonia shows the lowest price level of all 37 countries for food and non-alcoholic beverages (price level index 62) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (PLI 44).

The data also shows that the prices for clothing and footwear in Montenegro are relatively high, that Montenegrins get lower electricity bills compared to other European countries, and that the prices for household appliances are relatively low. Eurostat also analysed the price level index for personal transport equipment, transport services and restaurants and hotels, finding that the car prices in Montenegro are second lowest among the researched countries, and that the prices of passenger transport by railway, by road, by air, by sea and inland waterway and other purchased transport services (e.g. left luggage services, removal services) are low as well. In terms of restaurants and hotels, Montenegrins enjoy low prices compared to European countries, which is one of the reasons that Montenegro is a popular tourist destination.

Read more about lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

29 July 2019 - According to the official statement by the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro, Marriott International's The Ritz-Carlton Company will open a Ritz Carlton hotel in Montenegro in the near future, reports CdM.

From the economic aspect, Montenegro is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations, with predictions of continued growth in the forthcoming years. “Although we’re a small country, we have a lot to offer and many world-known hotel brands operating in Montenegro serve as evidence for that. Apart from Hilton, Aman, Regent, Four Points & Sheraton, Chedi, Meliã, Falkensteiner, Iberostar and others, the Ritz Carlton will soon expand to Montenegro”, said General Director of the Directorate for Development of Competitiveness and Investment in Tourism, Ms Olivera Brajović in an interview for Pobjeda daily.

The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro is constantly working on increasing high-category accommodation capacities, improving air accessibility, and diversifying the tourist offer and extension of tourist season. Brajović emphasised that the Ministry is aiming to promote the tourist offer of Montenegro while working on the creation of authentic tourist product through connecting tourism with agriculture.

As far as new investments in tourism are concerned, Ms Brajović points out that creation of new investment and business environment has led to increased interest in the construction of new hotel capacities and reconstruction of the existing ones. “Around 25 new hotels were opened last year in Montenegro, 15 of which were high-category hotels. We want to create a good ambiance in the northern part of the country as well. As the representatives of the state, we aim to provide the necessary infrastructure, so that the investor has all basic conditions to invest and make a tourist complex in Montenegro”, said Ms Brajović.

She stresses that the country’s job is to provide electricity and water before any negotiations on investments. Air accessibility is also of great importance since Montenegro is still a destination which is mostly reached by air traffic.

“In that context, every new airline means progress for tourism. As a result of better connection with cities in Western Europe, the number of tourists from Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom has doubled. New flights have an impact on better “visibility” of Montenegro. There are currently nine low-cost air companies operating flights towards Montenegro and vice versa”, says Ms Brajović.

She highlighted the significance of the new routes which were opened this year – Bologna and Barcelona as well as other routes that greatly affect income from tourism in Montenegro. Easy Jet operates towards Airport Tivat from London and Manchester during summer IATA season and from Geneva during the peak summer season. Wizz Air operates from Memmingen, Milan and Budapest throughout the year, as well as from Warsaw and Katowice during the peak season. Ryan Air is the third carrier according to the traffic at Montenegrin airports. All flights operate two times a week.

Ms Brajović firmly believes that Bar-Boljare highway will enable better access to the north of Montenegro to tourists. “Tourism will be further boosted, as well as the economy and agriculture. Travelling from Podgorica to Kolašin will be faster, and it will take only half an hour. When you provide mobility, circulation of goods and services increases, which results in high-quality offer in tourism,” says Ms Brajović.

She highlighted the new projects that the state is working on in the north of Montenegro. “Berane will soon have new Lokve hotel. In addition, the doors of the Plavsko jezero hotel in Plav will soon be open for tourists. Kolašin and Žabljak are already recognized as most-visited ski centers. Four Points by Sheraton has improved its capacities, as well as former Lipka hotel. Opening of the Kolašin 1600 ski resort has created conditions for the implementation of new projects. We expect another hotel from the Marriott group. Žabljak’s tourist offer will be enriched, too”, said Ms Brajović.

Read more about Montenegro's tourist offer at TMN's dedicated page.

28 July 2019 - Montenegro has significantly improved its position in a prestigious ranking of the world’s most innovative countries. After last year's ranking as the 52^nd most innovative country worldwide by the Global Innovation Index, Montenegro has reached 45^th place in the 2019 edition.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2019, which was released July 24^th with the theme “Creating Healthy Lives – The Future of Medical Innovation”, Montenegro occupies the 45^th position in the Global Innovation Index 2019 rankings. On the list of Innovation Input Sub-Index rankings, Montenegro is ranked 55^th, while in terms of Innovation Output Sub-Index rankings, Montenegro occupies the 46^th position.

The Global Innovation Index 2019 by Cornell University, INSEAD and WIPO, provides detailed metrics about the innovation performance of 129 countries and economies around the world. Its 80 indicators explore a broad vision of innovation, including political environment, education, infrastructure and business sophistication. The GII 2019 analyses the medical innovation landscape of the next decade, looking at how technological and non-technological medical innovation will transform the delivery of healthcare worldwide. It also explores the role and dynamics of medical innovation as it shapes the future of healthcare, and the potential influence this may have on economic growth. Chapters of the report provide more details on this year’s theme from academic, business, and particular country perspectives from leading experts and decision-makers.

According to the report, “Thailand (43rd), Montenegro (45th), and the Russian Federation (46th) are among the upper-middle-income economies that are performing above high-income economies in selected GII pillars”. The publication also places Montenegro on the list of countries whose results exceeded “expectations for the level of development”.

The Global Innovation Index confirms that Montenegro has maintained relatively stable ranking on the list of the world’s most innovative countries. “The following 18 economies are among the top 50, with most of them maintaining relatively stable rankings since 2014: the Czech Republic (26th), Malta (27th), Spain (29th), Italy (30th), Slovenia (31st), Portugal (32nd), Hungary (33rd), Latvia (34th), Slovakia (37th), Lithuania (38th), Poland (39th), Bulgaria (40th), Greece (41st), Croatia (44th), Montenegro (45th), the Russian Federation (46th), Ukraine (47th), and Romania (50th),” it is stated in the report.

The Global Innovation Index 2019 found that overall, “Switzerland is the world’s most-innovative country followed by Sweden, the United States of America (U.S.), the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (U.K.),” according to a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) press release. Since 2011, Switzerland has ranked 1st in the GII every year.

Read more about the business environment in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

28 July 2019 - The current activities of state bodies in improving media legislation and the safety of journalists represent a significant contribution to strengthening media freedom in Montenegro, it was concluded at the second session of the Rule of Law Council held recently in Podgorica.

The quick reaction of the Montenegrin police and decisive response to recent threats posed to journalist of Vijesti Samir Adrović, as well as ongoing activities in other cases in this area, send a clear message that the State will not tolerate any form of violence against journalists, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Rule of Law Council Zoran Pažin stressed, as his Office reported.

"It is very important that we quickly and decisively respond to these threats and demonstrate the State's determination to protect the safety and personal integrity of journalists effectively. I am convinced that the State's response to threats is the best prevention of the violence itself," DPM Pažin said.

The Council concluded that the level of progress Montenegro has made in the area of the rule of law since the beginning of the EU accession negotiations process requires an innovative approach in reporting to citizens and international partners on the results in fulfilling obligations under chapters 23 and 24. To that end, unique information on Montenegro's achieved results since the opening of negotiations in Chapters 23 and 24 to date, both in the field of media and in other priority areas of the rule of law, needs to be prepared.

The Rule of Law Council, chaired by DPM Pažin, consists of heads of the judiciary, prosecutors, government and independent institutions in charge of the rule of law issues. The task of the Rule of Law Council is to monitor the implementation of obligations under chapters 23 and 24 in the process of Montenegro's accession to the European Union, as well as to make recommendations to the competent institutions for urgent action in order to fulfill these obligations. According to the Government's decision of 13 June 2019, a new Council was established with fewer members and a focus on concrete results in meeting the conditions of the negotiation process and further strengthening of the rule of law in Montenegro.

Read more news about lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

27 July 2019 - Soprano Ena Topčibašić will be in the focus of the Evening of Montenegrin and Russian Art on Thursday, August 1st, which will take place at the Great Hall (Montenegrin: Velika sala) of the Cultural and Informational Centre Budo Tomović in Podgorica, starting at 8 pm.

The artist will perform with Russian pianist Elena Larina and Montenegrin actors Anđelija Rondović, Marko Rajković, Jovan Dabović and Jelena Šestović who will perform the works of Mihailo Lalić and Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. The actors will also recite the poetry of Obrad Nenezić, Sergei Alexandrovich Yesenin and Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.

The concert program includes works by Brinčki, Prebanda, Krstić, Babić, Hatze, Rahmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Smetana, as well as numerous Montenegrin and Russian songs.

Ena Topčibašić graduated from elementary school in Bijelo Polje. She also graduated from elementary music school in Bijelo Polje. As a member of a piano duo, she won a silver lyre at the state competition held in Herceg Novi in ​​2014. The same year, she was declared a winner at the NIS Olympics in Russian language held in Novi Sad. In June 2014 she represented Montenegro at the World Russian Language Olympics, held in Moscow, where she won the first prize in the competition of representatives from 26 countries. She finished high school at the Art School for Music and Ballet Vasa Pavić, at the department of solo singing, in the class of Professor Zorana Latković. Numerous prizes she won during high school include: Golden Lyre at the state solo singing competition, the second prize at the international competition of solo singers Bruna Špiler, the special prize as a member of the chamber ensemble at the state competition and the third prize at the international solo singers competition Nikola Cvejić in Ruma

Since October 2018, Topčibašić has been studying singing at the Vienna Music Academy - Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien in the class of Professor Martin Vácha. In September 2018, she became a member of the famous choir - Arnold Schoenberg Chor. She also performs at the Vienna Opera Theatre - season 2018/19, in the performance of the opera Orleanskaya deva by the composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and also in the performance of the opera Oberon by the composer Carl Maria von Weber. In October of the same year, she got a chance to be the lead in a project under the leadership of world renowned tenor, Michael Schade. As the youngest member of the group, she gained experience in the Vienna music scene singing Monteverdi's works in December 2018. She performed well-known Napolitano melodies in February 2019 at the concert in Waldenstein. During her studies at the Music Academy she performed at concerts at the Schönbrunn-Schlosstheater in January and May 2019. She currently has excellent cooperation with Russian pianist Elena Larina and is continuing her path in the spirit of Russian music, singing at the Russian Cultural Centre in Vienna, focusing on the works of composers Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.

Read more about cultural events in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

27 July 2019 - Kitesurfing has been gaining great popularity in Montenegro in recent years since extreme sports fans can enjoy this activity on the Great Beach (Montenegrin: Velika plaža) in Ulcinj. According to instructor Nemanja Škobić, Ulcinj can be placed within the top three most secure places in the world to master this sporting skill.

Kitesurfing is an action sport combining aspects of wakeboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and sailing into one extreme sport. A kitesurfer harnesses the power of the wind with a large controllable power kite to be propelled across the water, land, or snow.

One of the windiest and beautiful sandy beaches of Montenegro – the Great Beach has a lot to offer, and because of the growing interest for kitesurfing, the beach now has its kite center. The kite centre instructors and kitesurfing enthusiasts want to share their passion for this sport provide all interested individuals advice formed after a long-term experience. They have a trained and motivated team, modern teaching techniques and the most modern equipment, which all guarantee ideal learning progress in their tailor-made kitesurfing courses.

Nemanja Škobić, who has been working as a kitesurfing instructor for ten years on the Great Beach in Ulcinj, gave an interview for Tanjug, where he stated that a large number of locals and tourists have undergone training for the sport.

"In order to master the basic steps, it takes from eight to ten hours of exercise. The course is popular with both children and adults," said Škobić.

He also pointed out that the Great Beach in Ulcinj, which is about 13 kilometres long, belongs to the top three safest places in the world to master the kitesurfing skill, and one of the reasons for this is the vastness of the beach.

"The width and length of the beach, as well as the length of the shallow water areas that do not have coral, rocks, trees, power lines – all create perfect conditions for kitesurfing," said Škobić, adding that the training season usually starts in early May and lasts until the beginning of October. Kitesurfing beginners and newcomers find perfect conditions for fast learning progress by being provided with a wide sandy area (without dangerous riffs or rocks), shallow water and constant side-onshore-winds. However, advanced kiteboarders will also love this beach for its moderate temperatures and a lot of free space to practice new moves.

Škobić also explained that the training process is normally split into several stages, where the basic steps are learned on the sand, and then the individuals head into the sea to master their skills. The training is perfectly adapted to each individual’s needs, no matter whether they want to improve their kitesurfing skills or want to learn advanced moves and tricks.

Read more information about new experiences when travelling through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

27 July 2019 - Traffic laws in Montenegro still have not defined the use of self-balance e-scooters on public roads and that is why the Montenegrin National Police plans to launch an initiative requiring amendments to the road safety legislation. Until then, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro urges the citizens to be more careful on roads/pavements, reported CdM.

E-Scooters with electric motors are already commonly used in many cities of Montenegro, not just by children but the adults as well.

Despite many advantages, experts warn of potential dangers with powered scooters, having in mind they can travel up to 35 km/h. As they represent a completely new mode of transport on Montenegro’s roads, laws governing road safety still haven’t defined it closely, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated.

However, the Office for Communal Affairs, Transport and Energy Efficiency for the Tivat Municipality have announced that between the hours of 7 PM and 11 PM daily, the Pine Boardwalk, Marshal Tito Street and Ivo Vizin Boardwalk will be closed to bicycles and e-scooters.

“The measure has been taken in response to an increase in the number of cycle and scooter users on the boardwalk who travel at a speed that is a real danger to pedestrians, particularly small children,” highlighted the Tivat Municipality representatives on this occasion.

Read more news about lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.