01 November 2019 - Science | Business recently posted an interview with Minister Damjanović on the establishment of a major regional research infrastructure that will "heal the wounds of war" in a way that will revive the scientific and technological potential of this area and this will undoubtedly lead to the economic development of the Southeast Europe region.

A €200 million investment in an international research facility in the Balkans could heal the wounds left by years of ethnic conflicts, help to stop the brain drain and lead to the region regaining its former scientific glory, according to Montenegro’s science minister Sanja Damjanović.

For the past three years, she has promoted the vision of a world-leading research institute, built to the same collaborative model as CERN. Now the project has entered its design phase and is edging towards reality. 

The 1991 - 2001 wars in the former Yugoslavia diminished the economies and science capacity of all countries in the area. Damjanović is now looking to the political will of neighbouring countries and of the EU, “To bring back the tradition in technology that we had in the past.”

Seven countries in the Balkans and Kosovo have teamed up to establish the Southeast European International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST), which will apply advances in particle physics to medical technologies, in particular to develop hadron therapy, a novel radiotherapy technique using proton or ion beams to deliver precision treatment of tumours, sparing healthy tissue.

The countries involved in SEEIIST hope it will help the region overcome economic difficulties and bring them closer to EU membership.

Establishing a large-scale competitive research infrastructure is “the only way” to revive the scientific and technological potential of the region, Damjanović said. “Due to this recent historical situation in our region, all the scientific, economic activities very much slowed down,” she told Florin Zubașcu for Science|Business.

Before entering politics, Damjanović completed a Ph.D. in physics at Heidelberg University and worked as a researcher at CERN. She says the experience of studying and working in international settings. Then, becoming a science minister of such a small country made her reflect on what can be done to revive science and technology in the region. “I was immediately infected with the idea [of an international research institute],” Damjanović said.

She is pushing for SEEIIST to be on the EU’s next roadmap for research infrastructures, to be drawn up by the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) in 2021. If that goes well, the construction of the facility could start in 2023 and finish in 2028. But she said, “Time is not so much in favour of us because the [ESFRI] deadline is May 2020.”

01 November 2019 - The Herceg Novi Tourism Organisation is a partner on the European project Cycling Rural, which includes the arrangement of several scenic viewpoints and four cycling tracks in Herceg Novi. The first project working session was held on October 31st in Ljubuški (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and it was attended by the president of the Tourism Organisation Pavle Obradović, reports Radio Herceg Novi.

“CYCLING RURAL - Cycling routes to improve natural and cultural heritage of Herzegovina and Montenegro” is a project that refers to tourism valorisation of natural and cultural heritage sites in rural and tourism marginalized areas in the targeted communities in Herzegovina and Montenegro (Široki Brijeg, Ljubuški, Posušje, Grude and Herceg Novi). The project aims to make these sites and countries recognized as outdoor tourism destinations. Cycling Rural involves the creation of new and attractive tourism offers (Cycling Rural tourism brand) in both cross border regions and at specific locations. This will directly lead to diversification of tourism offer and it will raise the quality of tourism offer and tourism services in the Adriatic Hinterland.

New scenic viewpoints in Herceg Novi will be arranged in the areas of Kameni and Vrbanj, and the project foresees four cycling tracks.

“The whole project is based on raising the attractiveness of cycling tours, which will increase the attractiveness of destinations included in the project. One cycling tour is planned from the Hotel Plaže, via Meljin and Pod to Kameni, and three are in the area of Kameni and Vrbanj. The Tourism Organisation is working to promote active tourism and this will be a new offer segment alongside the Adventure Park, which will increase the number of visits to the hinterland. The project envisages around 100 000 EUR for Herceg Novi,” said Obradović.

The Tourism Organization of Herceg Novi has applied for 23 projects, four of which have been approved, and as Obradović pointed out, significant funds will be allocated from EU grants.

“I am very pleased that this year we have established a sector for project planning. I hope that we will be even more successful in the future. Huge funds are being allocated from EU funds, and I now call on all local institutions to work together”, said the TO Director.

The Cycling Rural project runs through the spring of 2021 and is approved under the second call of the bilateral, through LOT 2 "Improving the Quality and Diversity of Tourism Offer Based on Natural and Cultural Heritage".

31 October 2019 - Montenegrin opera singer Ivana Čanović, who has performed side by side with world-renowned stars for years and is a promoter of classical music not only in her home country, but around the world, recently performed at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

“I am absolutely honoured to be the very first opera singer performing on the Hollywood’s Walk of Fame for the fantastic Lina Wertmüller,” shared Čanović on her Instagram profile, revealing her excitement.

This month, on October 28th, Ivana performed during the star award ceremony honouring the phenomenal Italian screenwriter and film director Lina Wertmüller, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making history as the first opera singer to perform at this location, reports CdM.

“Absolutely the first opera singer in the history of Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thank you, my dear Mr. Pascal Vicedomini and congratulations to our Ms. Lina Wertmuller for the Star,” said Čanović after her performance, thrilled to be a part of the ceremony. 

After the performance, Ivana was awarded the Los Angeles Festival Award as a Woman Contributing to the Development of Art in the World.

“So many wonderful emotions, after the surprise, the Los Angeles Capri Festival Award I was honoured to get from Tony Petruzzi and Pascal Vicedomini, who has invited me here in Hollywood, to be part of very important events, to support and honour one and only Lina Wertmüller. Couldn’t be happier! Thank you so much,” shared Čanović on social media.

Ivana was born in Nikšić, Montenegro, where she attended Dara  Čokorilo Elementary Music School and Vasa Pavić High School of Music. Čanović then studied at the Royal Academy in London, graduated and received a master's degree from the Department of Opera Music at the prestigious Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome.

Ivana is a winner of Eurovision Classical Music organized by Classical Radio in Vienna in 2015, winner of a special award at the 2017 Opera Singers Competition, winner of the 2018 Opera Singers Competition in Spoleto, winner of the first Puccini and Cupisti Award for Best Young Voice at The 2018 Puccini Festival. She performed in China, Panama, Austria, England, Greece, Iran, France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Italy and Portugal and even realized her dream of singing with Andrea Bocelli.

30 October 2019 - It is still uncertain whether Montenegro will open negotiating Chapter 8 – Competition policy, by the end of this year. Owing to the current circumstances in the EU, and especially after the opening of membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania had been delayed, the question is: What will happen with the enlargement process?

Montenegro has made considerable progress in the accession process and is seen as the next EU member. However, there is still a lot to be done. As far as Chapter 8 is concerned, Montenegro has already done what it was asked to do. It is the EU members’ turn now.

"Considering the current situation in the EU, it would not be very appropriate to predict when the negotiations in Chapter 8 will start," pointed out Biljana Jakić, director-general of the Directorate for Internal Market and Competition in the Ministry of Economy and a negotiator in Chapter 8.

She says it is important that Montenegrin institutions have been fulfilling defined tasks responsibly and devotedly and that all initial criteria for opening a new chapter have been established.

"The European Commission has set five criteria for opening this chapter. Those criteria refer to the changes in the legislation in the area of state aid; formation of an operationally independent body which will have all the necessary competences and resources required for the full application of state aid rules; harmonization of fiscal assistance schemes- Law on Corporate Income Tax, Law on Personal Income Tax, Law on Free Zones, programs of enhancement and promotion of business zones; list of all state aid measures and establishment of the action plan for the harmonization with other assistance schemes or other equivalent measures seen as incompatible with the duties stipulated in the Stabilization and Association Agreement. The last criterion referred to the adoption of the plan on restructuring Aluminum Plant Podgorica. It is not relevant anymore since Aluminum Plant has gone bankrupt," explained Jakić.

She adds that, concerning the set criteria, a whole set of legislative and institutional reforms have been implemented, writes CdM.

"In February 2018, a new Law on State Aid Control was adopted and it included all the required elements for efficient state aid control. Through amendments to the Law on the Protection of Competition, adopted at the beginning of 2018, competences of the Agency for Protection of Competition have been extended to the area of state aid control. In addition, in the area of financial assistance schemes, the legislative framework has been harmonized with the EU legislation," stressed out Jakić.

All the activities Montenegro has undertaken in this chapter indicate its readiness and commitment to meeting the requirements of the European agenda.

"Now the ball is in the EU court. We expect those results to be recognized and validated with the opening of this last chapter in the negotiation process," concluded Jakić.

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

30 October 2019 - For the second year in a row, at the invitation of Montenegro’s Government, an elite team of American cyber experts will be working on combating malicious cyberattacks together with their Montenegrin counterparts.

As the American Embassy reported, operations of the Command of the American cyber team are part of the American efforts to counter opponents in cyberspace, through joint work with reliable partners and allies. Those defense operations also show insight into the cyber threats in the run-up to the forthcoming American and Montenegrin elections.

"Both the USA and Montenegro have benefited from our close partnership in the domain of cyber defense, which helps us protect our common values and interests," said American ambassador to Montenegro Judy Rising Reinke.

She said that working with Montenegro was a clear example of how the free world "cooperates in widening security", writes Cafe del Montenegro.

"We are looking for adequate ways and resources to protect democracy in the Western Balkans from those who would like to see this part of Europe shattered," said Montenegro’s Defense Minister Predrag Bošković.

While defending important infrastructure and resources, American and Montenegrin cyber experts investigate capabilities and means of acting against malicious cyber attacks.

Just like the US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said recently, thanks to direct cooperation with Montenegro in the field of cybersecurity, the United States of America managed to provide means of protection from the latest Russian malware.

Back in December 2018, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro, Suzana Pribilović and UK Ambassador to Montenegro Alison Camp opened a roundtable dedicated to cybersecurity in Podgorica, sponsored by the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro and the UK Embassy, in cooperation with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

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

30 October 2019 - The Institute for physical medicine, rehabilitation and rheumatology Dr Simo Milosevic JSC Igalo, which marked its 70^th anniversary as a renowned institution for multidisciplinary spa treatment this year, was recently awarded a prestigious plaque to celebrate the institution’s high-quality offer.

Representatives of the Institute Dr Simo Milosevic Igalo recently took part in a specialized congress tourism fair (MICE) in Belgrade, WESTM2019, organized by the Novi Sad-based company Turistička prizma, which marks 25 years of existence and successful work this year.

On this occasion, an international journalist jury decided to award the prestigious prize – “Turistička prizma 2019 Award for creating a new quality in tourism” to Institute Dr Simo Milosevic Igalo, in the form of a Prizma statue and a charter.

Institute Dr Simo Milosevic JSC Igalo is an institution for physical medicine, rehabilitation and rheumatology. It is one of the largest and the most famous institutions for a multidisciplinary spa treatment on the Balkan Peninsula. The institute is a pioneer of modern physical and preventive medicine, thalassotherapy, and wellness, and it is also one of the leading international centres for rehabilitation of children, adults and seniors.

Besides the preventive medicine program and health rehabilitation, Institute Igalo offers wellness and recreational programs, which basically rely on the modern medical principals. These programs are devoted to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and benefits of aromatherapies, massages and face, body and soul pampering treatments.

The distinguished Award for creating a new quality in tourism, which was recently put in the hands of the representatives of the Igalo Institute, has been awarded continuously at the WESTM since 1997.

Winter Events & Spa Travel Market (WESTM) is MICE and Spa tourism exhibition for South-East and Central Europe organised in Serbia. It is designed for hotels and other accommodation facilities, ski resorts, spas, convention centres, tourist boards, tour operators and travel agencies, manufacturers and distributors of equipment, as well as all other companies operating within MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) or spa tourism. WESTM is the first international fair in Serbia for the MICE industry.

WESTM provides its participants with two days of business meetings with the MICE industry of the region, and educational and related programs are all designed with one goal: to make this event the step forward for business improvement. The event aims to establish better cooperation between the tourism industries of Southeast and Central Europe (SEE) and other European countries, as well as with companies outside of Europe who are interested in the regions. The educational program “ Travel2IT ”, which is open to all participants, aims to provide new practical knowledge and insight into emerging trends related to the winter, wellness & spa and congress tourism, and ICT.

29 October 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković opened a new 2 million EUR division of the Kurti furniture factory in Ulcinj, which will create 30 new jobs and said that this kind of project will always enjoy his support and the support of the Government.

"This is a great opportunity and a great moment not only for the municipality of Ulcinj, but for the entire country and for every entrepreneur who works in the interest of their family, their city and the State of Montenegro," the Prime Minister stressed at the opening ceremony, adding that this factory division testifies to the fact that the synergy of local government and the State can lead to yielding such results.

“There are many capable and hardworking people in Montenegro who can create new value in our country, not to always seek support and help from outside. The Kurti family has shown that their ability, their strength, their potential, their hard work can create new added value for Ulcinj and Montenegro as a whole,” Prime Minister Duško Marković noted.

Addressing the owner of the factory Kabili Kurti, the Prime Minister said that the Government will always support this kind of project.

"What you have done is not just a business venture, it is a message to all those who need to create new value in Montenegro, that they will continue to enjoy my personal and the Government's support," Prime Minister Duško Marković underlined.

Speaking to the broader business community, PM Marković said that Montenegro has been performing exceptionally well in recent years.

“This is not only an achievement of the Government but of all stakeholders: employers, entrepreneurs, companies, business associations and, of course, investors. That is why we are experiencing a growth rate among the highest in Europe. In 2017 and 2018, we experienced an average growth rate of 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively, which is the third growth rate in Europe. Nothing happens in Montenegro by accident. This is the result of a thoughtful policy and a commitment. Therefore, the Government has no doubt about whether it must stand by the people who create. Today, I am feeling like I am in my natural environment, where new value is being created, with a man who will create 30 new jobs by opening this factory division, thus enabling young people not only to work and earn money, but to start and raise their families and stay in Montenegro as well. We are sending a message to our compatriots that we have not forgotten them, that they are in our thoughts, and that we will create conditions for them to return and build Montenegro with us, and make it better than it is today,” Prime Minister Duško Marković pointed out.

Speaking about Ulcinj, the Prime Minister said that the policy of his Government is to bring back to Ulcinj its old splendor and all those opportunities that existed when tourism was blossoming in this municipality. In that regard, he referred to numerous investments in this municipality, adding that he understands the issue facing the local government and that they will have the support of the Government.

"The Government stands by you in your bid to overcome the problems for the benefit of Ulcinj and the citizens of Ulcinj, for the benefit of Montenegro and its development," Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded.

29 October 2019 - At the seventh session of the Council for Cooperation between State Administration Bodies and NGOs, chaired by Minister of Public Administration Suzana Pribilović the officials discussed the Draft Law on Volunteering.

This law regulates incentive measures for promoting and developing volunteering, the rights and duties of volunteers and organisers of volunteering, and other issues of importance for the development and promotion of volunteering.

The Council embraced the Draft Law on Volunteering and suggested to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to re-examine Articles 1, 5 and 10 of the Draft Law to create an adequate legal basis for the further development of volunteering and creating incentive measures for volunteer organizes and volunteers. Volunteering was praised as a voluntary and free investment of time, knowledge and skills to carry out activities for the benefit of others and for the general welfare of the community, as well as the intention to prevent abuse of volunteers.

The Council recommended that, upon the adoption of legislation in the Assembly, the creation of an Incentive Measures Program should be initiated, reports the Ministry of Public Administration.

The drafting of the Law on Volunteering is one of the measures set out in the Action Plan of the Strategy for improving the incentive environment for the work of NGOs.

The implementation of the Law on Non-Governmental Organisations and associated by-laws were also discussed at today's session, and it was agreed that the next session of the Council will be thematic and dedicated to the analysis of the provisions of these acts, the implementation of which proved challenging in practice, but also of all aspects that influence the analysis of the effects of the implementation of the new model of financing NGO projects in accordance with the aforementioned Law.

Concerning the timing of the publication of decisions on allocation based on public competitions announced in 2019, it was once again pointed out that it was not at a satisfactory level, and that the Council's recommendation that the relevant decisions be taken within a reasonable timeframe should be repeated.

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

28 October 2019 - Minister of Culture of Montenegro Aleksandar Bogdanović recently met earlier with Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Republic Abulfas Garayev in Baku.

The meeting discussed possibilities of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture, since the bilateral relations between Montenegro and Azerbaijan are friendly and content.

In this regard, the two officials expressed their satisfaction with the fact that the cooperation between cultural institutions are intensified. This, as it was highlighted, primarily refers to the joint work of the National Library of Montenegro "Đurđe Crnojević" and Azerbaijan National Library within the Conference of European National Librarians and Montenegro’s Cinematography and the Azerbaijan Davlat Film Fund.

Both sides particularly emphasised the significance of the work of the Cultural and Economic Centre of Azerbaijan in Podgorica, stressing that there is a mutual interest in organising diverse programs in the field of culture in the future.

Minister Bogdanović stated that so far, cooperation is a good basis for the coming period and invited Minister Garayev to visit Montenegro and on that occasion, as he added, to sign the Programme on Cooperation between Ministries of Culture of the two countries.

Minister Garayev highlighted that he supports the mentioned initiative, proposing that during his visit to Montenegro, a programme of joint activities in the field of culture should be conceptualised in detail. Furthermore, he emphasised that he was pleased that Azerbaijan artists were increasingly represented in Montenegro and expressed the expectation that Montenegro’s artists would be as present as possible on the Azerbaijani cultural scene.

Minister Bogdanović also discussed cooperation in the field of affirmation of the cultural heritage of the two countries. He pointed to the listing of the Azerbaijani rug on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage could be a useful experience for Montenegro, mainly since there is an initiative to apply for the development of Bihor rug on the list above, reports Ministry of Culture of Montenegro.

In this context, Minister Garayev stated that a presentation of Bihor rug could be organised at the Baku Museum of Carpeting, with the Azerbaijani entities fully ready to transfer experience regarding the application process of their rugs to the UNESCO list.

"During the discussion, we concluded that there is an exceptional space for strengthening cultural cooperation. It is of particular significance that the first steps in this field have already been made, but I believe that a period of intensive activities is yet to come. On this path, I suggested Minister Garayev sign the Cooperation Programme of our Ministries of Culture during his visit to Montenegro. Thus we formally start broad cooperation, starting with some common trades belonging to the intangible heritage of both countries, to film, literature and other fields," Minister Bogdanović noted.

Charge d' Affairs of Montenegro to Azerbaijan Željko Radulović also attended the meeting.

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

28 October 2019 - Programs for children, young people and parents, that are successfully implemented in Montenegro, could be a model of good practice for countries in Europe and Central Asia, said deputy regional director of UNICEF for Europe and Central Asia Philip Corey, who is on a visit to Montenegro.

"I think you have a development model that can be helpful for many countries, not only in the Western Balkans, but also in the EU. I think there’s a lot you can teach EU countries," said deputy regional director of UNICEF Corey.

He visited the "Sunce" kindergarten in Nikšić and spoke to children and parents – members of the Roma community, about the importance of preschool education and support for children and parents belonging to the Roma community.

"It all starts in kindergarten. If you are successful in establishing inclusion in the context of preschool education and teaching, later, in elementary school and secondary school, you will have a higher degree of engagement and social cohesion," said Corey.

He also visited "Mileva Lajović-Lalatović" elementary school in Nikšić and said that the task of the entire community was to establish a good foundation for inclusion, writes Cafe del Montenegro.

"Children must be provided room to express themselves, to enjoy teaching plans and programs. Such plans and programs must include children who are faced with more serious challenges, they must not be neglected," Philip Corey pointed out in front of UNICEF.

He also met with parents who attended the "Parenthood for lifelong health" program, which is implemented in several Montenegrin municipalities.

Back in January 2019, UNICEF took the great initiative in improving the quality of media programs for children and youth. On this occasion, Jan-Willem Bult, director of the Center for Children, Youth and Media in the Netherlands, stated that these factors in one country directly shows the quality of life of that country.

"During my daily work with children, both with preschoolers and with the youth, I learned a lot about them. We mutually influence each other. I think the attitude of adults who create programs for children and young people should be the following: I learn from you, as you learn from me. With this attitude, you will grow together, and this is the only way to create a quality program for children," said Bult on this occasion.

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