28 May 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković opened the 2019 Games of Small States of Europe - the biggest sports event ever hosted by Montenegro, saying that diversities of Europe - from its northernmost to the southernmost parts - gathered in Montenegro, and that, with the motto of the International Olympic Committee "unity in diversity", they represent the heritage Montenegro traditionally fosters.

"We in Montenegro believe that diversity is actually our greatest asset. Due to that, our state has survived through centuries cultivating all our differences in religion, national affiliation, and cultural heritage. We share the ideas of European visionaries who, after World War II, reversed historical trends, accepting that diversities do not pose a threat; that they are natural and that there is only one answer to them: to respect them! That is why Montenegro has found its place among the countries that share these values and that is why, after the restoration of independence, the thirteenth anniversary of which was celebrated the other day, we courageously and without hesitation embarked on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. I believe that during your stay in Montenegro, you will recognize this pro-European enthusiasm among our people, as well as our traditional values and specificities, of which we are proud and which we lovingly cherish. All of our diversities, from the northernmost to the southernmost parts of Europe, gathered in one place these days – that is the wealth that these Games bring us. That is why these are the small states games only in the light of the numbers. But, in many other respects - great and special European nations," Prime Minister noted.

The Prime Minister said that the organisation of the Games is a special honour for Montenegro's Olympic Committee, for the towns in which competitions will be taking place, for the whole of Montenegro, which since the restoration of independence has attached special importance to sports in promoting the State on the international scene, as well to the construction of sports infrastructure throughout our country.

27 May 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović met in Budva with the Regents of San Marino, Michele Muratori and Nicola Selva, who are on a visit to Montenegro on the occasion of the Games of Small States of Europe.

President Đukanović said that bilateral relations between Montenegro and San Marino are extremely good, that since the renewal of Montenegrin independence, they have been promoted in a spirit of mutual understanding and trust, and that there is a considerable space for their further progress. To this, as the President said, the high delegation's visit will also significantly contribute as an important step in intensifying the political dialogue that is the cornerstone of successful cooperation.

"Montenegro sees this event as yet another opportunity to connect and strengthen the cooperation of small countries, and to promote sports, economic potentials and confirmation of openness and friendship," Đukanović said. He particularly welcomed the holding of the small-scale economic forum as a good opportunity for connecting businesspeople.

The meeting assessed that Montenegro and San Marino, two small, friendly countries, have many similarities: a long and rich history and significant cultural heritage, and recognized as countries that respect tradition, at the same time follow the achievements of modern civilization and are committed to the affirmation of European values, but also of its peculiarities. Regents have shown great respect for the achievements of Montenegro, stressing that San Marino is looking for a more dynamic economic development and a European perspective.

"We are honored and pleased to stay in Montenegro rich in history, culture, and beauty. We are divided by the Adriatic Sea, but our nations are connected," said Muratori and Selva. Regents of San Marino called on President Đukanović to visit their country, which was accepted with pleasure.

During the conversation, numerous areas have been identified in which there are a mutual interest and opportunities for cooperation in the field of economy, tourism, and culture.

It is jointly assessed that the implementation of the concept of sustainable development, the preservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage, and the readiness for cooperation in this regard is extremely important for the two countries.

President Đukanović wished success to San Marino teams at the upcoming Games.

27 May 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović received in Miločer one of the most successful descendants of Montenegrin emigrants in Latin America, Federico Tomašević, from Argentina, who is on a visit to Montenegro.

A visit by Tomašević, the owner of the largest bank in three countries, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, followed after the meeting with President Đukanović during his visit to Latin America in December last year. The descendant of Slavomir Tomašević from Krusevice who moved to Argentina before the Great War, gladly responded to the invitation, in order to get acquainted with the roots of his family, as well as the development of Montenegro and conditions for investment. During his meeting and working lunch, attended by his wife as well, he said that he was honored that after visiting the Herceg Novi area, where his family originates from, and the Montenegrin coast, he meets with President Đukanović.

"I am very inspired to make even stronger connections in business, culture and other areas and start cultivating what has been sown in the past years," Tomašević said, with the conviction that like him and other descendants of Montenegrins, not only in Argentina, can do as much as possible for Montenegro, first of all, getting to know each other, but also in every other field.

Tomašević says he personally was impressed with the dynamic development of Montenegro. Fascinated by what he saw, he says that there are few places in the world, where projects are being realized today, like it is in Montenegro, which bring multiple benefits to the economy, but also the transfer of knowledge. He congratulated President Đukanović on creating an environment in which investors feel so secure.

"It is not just an investment; it is the whole development strategy that places Montenegro on the world map," Tomašević said.

President Đukanović thanked Federico Tomašević for his high appreciation of the achievements of Montenegro, stressing that the most important dimension of connection with the diaspora is to provide the descendants of Montenegrin emigrants to meet their country and family. These connections are also valuable today when Montenegro is a member of NATO, ahead of all in EU integration, with a good pace of economic development, said Đukanović. An important impetus for this development is investment, but not only because of financial investment but because of the adoption of knowledge and new standards, the President agreed.

Đukanović and Tomašević agreed that the Montenegrin community is recognized everywhere as extremely valuable and successful, and that such a spirit should be developed here in Montenegro as well. Tomašević has informed the President that he has decided to provide up to 5 scholarships for Latin American students who want to study at the Montenegrin Language Faculty in Cetinje, as well as the translation and publication of one book annually about Montenegro in the Spanish language. He also announced that impressed with Montenegro, he and his wife will bring their four children to Montenegro this summer as well, to see where they originate from.

In addition to the Puente Bank, founded in 1915, Federico Tomašević has been successfully dealing with the distribution of oil and gas, food production and export, investment funds, financial markets, and real estate, and has large estates. Last year's Forbes edition on the front page named Tomašević's master for making money. Tomašević also has a prestigious business center in London where he often spends his time.

27 May 2019 - Minister of the Interior of Montenegro Mevludin Nuhodžić and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia and Minister of Internal Affairs Oliver Spasovski signed a Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia in the field of European integration. 

"The signing of the Protocol on Cooperation in the field of European integration will contribute to strengthening the cooperation between the two ministries, and we will make our capacities, regarding the implementation of obligations under chapters 23 and 24, available to our colleagues from North Macedonia. I believe that our expertise and experience during the negotiation process will be important for our colleagues from neighbouring country, and that, through this type of cooperation, we will further improve the exchange of information among the law enforcement institutions," Minister Nuhodžić said and added that the strong commitment of the two countries to the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective resulted in initiatives of common interest in the field of the internal affairs. 

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed specific activities which should be undertaken in the fight against organized crime, illegal migration, trafficking in human beings and terrorism. 

"Security challenges cross the borders of one country and can only be answered by joint forces and cooperation between states, and Montenegro and North Macedonia serve as an example," Nuhodžić stressed. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Oliver Spasovski expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between North Macedonia's and Montenegro's police, which is an important part of the overall bilateral relations, strategic partnership and trust between the two countries. 

"The joint session of the two governments confirms the close and friendly ties between Montenegro and North Macedonia, and intensive police cooperation is crucial for the stability and security of the Region," Minister Nuhodžić concluded.

26 May 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović received newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro Daniela Gašparikova. 

The President expressed his satisfaction with appointing Gašparikova as  Resident Representative of UNDP in Montenegro and wished her success in further work with the impression that the experience gained with UNDP's long-term engagement will contribute to a stronger positioning of the Office and achievement of commonly defined goals. In that context, he conveyed full personal and institutional support of Montenegro.

He expressed the gratitude of Montenegro to the strong support provided by the UNDP Office at the national level and the intensity and dynamics of joint activities and programs that fully monitor the developmental needs of Montenegro in the context of EU integration and the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Strategy.

The President expressed his gratitude to UNDP for the support given to Montenegro for two decades, which in that period was the least-developed republic of former Yugoslavia, became an independent state, a NATO member, leader in European integration and the most dynamic economy of WB. Cooperation with UNDP has gained new quality through the area of ​​sustainable development, which has become the philosophy of the development of Montenegro noted Đukanović.

"We continue to see the continuation of cooperation and support for capacity building by UNDP as a real chance for ourselves, and you can count on to our absolute dedication to this relationship," said Đukanović.

He stressed that Montenegro supports reform processes that will lead to more efficient and stronger United Nations, also repositioning the UN development system and separating two positions (UN Resident Coordinators and UNDP Resident Representative), which will contribute to more effective UN action in supporting the country's plan of achieving key national priorities.

The newly appointed Resident Representative of UNDP in Montenegro Daniela Gašparikova expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation with Montenegro, emphasizing that she is privileged to continue to improve this cooperation during her mandate. Clearly set national priorities and Montenegro's commitment make this road to the EU easier, Gašparikova said.

She added that the confirmation of that dedication and the fact that Montenegro was one of the first countries in the world that have transfered the goals of sustainable development into its Sustainable Development Strategy. Key areas of cooperation in the future will be seen in digitization, infrastructure building for this area and electronic management.

The Resident Representative of the UN emphasized that the use of information technologies will help reduce the gap between the need for capacity building and rationalization and the need to respond to the challenges and tasks that country is facing within the negotiation process. "This will enable Montenegro to become competitive even at the end of that road, even compared to individual EU members," Gašparikova said.

The interlocutors agreed that green development and economics, as well as the sustainability of the energy sector, are also important areas of further cooperation.

25 May 2019 - Minister of Defence of Montenegro Predrag Bošković and his counterpart of North Macedonia Radmila Šekerinska signed in Podgorica earlier the Agreement on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information, to improve cooperation in the field of the exchange and protection of classified information between the two countries. By signing the agreement, Montenegro strengthens relations with the countries of the region and intensifies cooperation in the application of standards in the field of exchange and protection of classified information.

The agreement regulates the manner of protecting classified information exchanged or incurred between the contracting parties, the term of classified information, determinants of the degree of secrecy and the authorities responsible for its implementation, measures for protection and access to classified information, as well as the methods of transferring classified information.

Furthermore, the agreement defines the signing and enforcement of confidential contracts, the procedure for the realisation of visits by representatives of each of the contracting parties, which includes access to classified information, as well as the manner in which the authorities or contracting parties act in case of violation of the provisions on mutual protection of classified information. The agreement provides for that each party shall bear its costs in connection with the application of this agreement.

The two defence ministers also had a bilateral meeting, during which the Montenegrin Defence Minister pointed out that Montenegro will continue to provide full support to North Macedonia on its Euro-Atlantic path, hopeful that the membership of North Macedonia to NATO will represent a significant step towards achieving a stable security framework for the Western Balkan region.

Both sides agreed that the friendship and the alliance of the two countries could strongly affect the region, because security cohesion can only be achieved through mutual support and cooperation. Reconstruction and unification of common values ​​are needed more than ever, since the countries of the region share a common geographic area, face common problems, DMs Bošković and Šekerinska, agreed.

It was emphasised that the cooperation between the two ministries, in addition to exchanging experiences in all areas of the defence sphere, is also aimed at strengthening national defence capabilities, which will contribute to the collective ability of the Alliance to meet security challenges. It was pointed out that the friendly ties between the two countries, the future allies within the NATO, lead to joint action for the benefit of security and stability of our continent and beyond.

25 May 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković said that by joining NATO, Montenegro got all the hallmarks of a safe destination for tourists and investors, which is an additional stimulus since Montenegrin investors are already operating in more than 110 countries and that our country has achieved growth rates among the highest in Europe.

"Fulfilling two key foreign policy priorities for our two countries has not only a political but also a very important economic dimension and benefit. By joining NATO, Montenegro got all the hallmarks of a safe destination, both for visitors and tourists, as well as for investors from all over the world – a signal that we share the highest standards and values of democratic societies with which we want even more advanced partnership and cooperation. We achieved economic growth at an average rate of 4.9 percent, almost in all sectors from tourism, energy, agriculture, industry, trade, and in the last two years, we reduced the unemployment rate by 6% and increased the number of employees by over 17,000, of which we are particularly proud. In the first quarter of this year, the parameters are already better than at the same time last year,"  said Marković.

He added that membership in NATO and increasing compatibility and harmonization with the internal EU system are important factors for such strong growth and development. Montenegro is also fully integrated into the NATO codification system, with 160 company codes and 100 codified products.

"I think this is a very strong basis for the future intensive cooperation between business people and for creating partnerships with other NATO member states and participating in NATO procurement process. Investors from over 110 countries operate in Montenegro, the most prestigious international tourist brands are present, and we are proud that our state has the highest foreign direct investment per capita in the region, with a total investment of 6.5 billion EUR in the period from 2006 to 2018," Prime Minister Duško Marković said at opening of Business Forum Montenegro - North Macedonia at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro.

The Prime Minister pointed to the need to strengthen economic cooperation between Montenegro and North Macedonia, saying that it is clear that there are great potentials for deepening economic cooperation.

"We look forward to increased Macedonian investments in all sectors, and in the tourism sector I want to draw attention to the opportunity we can create through a joint approach to distant third markets, especially considering the complementarity of the tourism products of our two countries," the Prime Minister said.

PM Marković pointed to the Government's excellent economic results, stressing that our priorities are now a transport connectivity and investment in the Northern Region.

"Prime Minister Zaev and I understand that poor transport connectivity is a limiting factor for trade and economic relations. Even during our first meeting in Podgorica in November 2017, we talked about finding modalities for the introduction of the airline on the Skopje-Podgorica route in cooperation with other interested cities like Sarajevo, and there is a wish of both parties to specifically discuss this topic at today's joint cabinet session. What I want to inform you about is that Montenegro is investing intensively in improving its infrastructure, that as much as 320 million EUR is allocated for the capital budget this year, the largest amount invested so far. Of this, more than 70% of funds are allocated for the Northern Region, and once again we have sent a message that this is our priority and it will be in focus in the next development period.

Marković continued that the biggest undertaking in the history of Montenegro is ongoing, the construction of the first motorway which will strategically contribute to this goal. After the construction of the first section of the motorway, which is in the final phase, the Government creates the preconditions for continuing the construction of the rest of the motorway towards Serbia.

"Together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), we are working on defining a model for improving the operation of our airports, while with foreign partners we are coming to an end of the submarine power cable installation. All this will make Montenegro even more accessible and energy investment port," Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded at the opening of the Business Montenegro - North Macedonia, which gathered government officials and business people of the two countries.

25 May 2019 -  On May 24, 2019, Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro Osman Nurković held an official meeting with Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of North Macedonia Goran Sugareski. This meeting was held within the framework of the two-day working visit of the Prime Minister and members of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.

The meeting noted that Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia do not have open issues and cooperate well in the field of transport. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss regional projects that are of crucial importance for the high-quality connectivity of Southeast Europe. Minister Nurković emphasised that the needs of both the citizens and the economies of the countries in the region need to be recognised. Accordingly, policies and projects that lead to a common goal – safe, secure and comfortable transportation of passengers and cargo – need to be implemented.

Both countries are implementing very valuable capital projects in the construction of modern transport infrastructure. The focus of the meeting was on the implementation of motorway construction projects in Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia, but it also discussed the air traffic and North Macedonia's experience with regard to national airports and models of investing and managing these important resources.

Furthermore, the two ministers discussed the state of the rail system, both at national and regional level, as well as the varying degree of railroad rehabilitation in the countries in the region, concluding that there is room for a stronger approach to the international community when it comes to funding projects for the modernization of railway infrastructure. The EU and its institutions support the development of this type of transport, primarily in the context of the so-called "green transport", which affects the quality of the environment to a lesser extent, and is cheaper and more secure than other types of transport.

24 May 2019 - Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Kemal Purišić said that the Government of Montenegro passed the Decision on determining the minimum wage in the net amount of 222 EUR, based on the proposal of the Social Council.

He noted that this amount of minimum wage was agreed through the negotiations between the Government and the social partners.

"The increase in the minimum wage, according to the agreement, will come into force from 1 July this year," he added.

The Labour Minister also pointed out that the Government tasked the Ministry of Finance to draft as quickly as possible and propose to the Government the amendments to the Law on contributions for compulsory social insurance, which will reduce the rate of contributions to health insurance at the expense of the employer by 2%.

24 May 2019 - Vranac Reserve 2013 produced by one of the most successful companies in Montenegro, 13.jul - Plantaže, won a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 in London, competing with over 16.500 wines from 57 countries.

Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is the world's most influential wine competition founded in 2004 and is the world's biggest wine competition with over 15,000 entries per year.

The wines of the company 13 jul – Plantaže, made by the autochtonous Montenegrin variety, won several medals at Decanter, which is the greatest and the most prestigious wine expo as well as the global wine championship. Plantaže managed to represent the wines that belong to the world wine elite brilliantly.  

This year, Decanter contest jury consisted of 280 wine experts and it has awarded Plantaže wines with seven medals. Judged by the top wine experts from around the globe, the DWWA is trusted internationally for its rigorous judging process. DWWA has judges from around the world, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, and many of them are the foremost experts in their field.

Besides gold medal for Vranac Reserve 2013, the wines: Vranac Barrique 2015 and Vranac pro Corde 2015 were awarded the silver medal and the premium Vranac 2015 won the bronze medal. The wines: Vladika 2015, Epoha 2013 and Chardonnay Barrique 2016 were awarded silver medals, making a great success of Plantaže. 

Decanter World Wine Awards’ gold medal is awarded only to excellent wines of great complexity and character, while the silver medal is given to the producer of wine who created a very accomplished wine with impressive complexity.

This recognition is even greater because a popular ‘Reserve’ also won the gold medal a few months ago at Mundus Vini contest in German town Neustadt, so the award from London is an exquisite confirmation of great triumph of this wine. 

Actually, Vranac Reserve has been produced in the best vintages only. Upon aging in wooden vats (2 years) and bottle (3-5 years), it develops its full, characteristic and very distinctive bouquet.

It is important to note that it was at the same competition in 2017 that Plantaže wine Stari Podrum Cabernet Sauvignon won gold medal, drawing the attention of the wine world to the Plantaže vineyard, located in Ćemovsko polje, Podgorica where grand wines are made. 

The importance of these awards is even greater given the fact that Decanter proudly promotes the award-winning wines through its global digital networks, bespoke consumer tastings, presence at major wine trade shows and promotions with leading retailers around the world.

Data acquired from the Official Website of the company 13. jul - Plantaže.