19 May 2019 - The Prime Minister recently spoke to the Luxury Collection Montenegro Magazine, on which occasion he especially emphasised the importance of the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction of Structures and their sustainable factor.

"Montenegro, just like many societies in transition, including the countries where capitalism is well-developed, underwent the “concreting” stage, marked by construction without any strategic overview of space, and without taking into account the sustainable factor. Now we do things differently. We have made a fundamental change: this Government created Structures, which, for the first time, offers a unified treatment of space as our resource," said Marković.

He continued that the Law was attacked exactly by those people who wished to hold on to their old positions and pursue the concreting approach, without focusing on sustainability. The goal is for the state to carefully manage space by giving priority to sustainable development which creates benefits for the economy and citizens in terms of income and of increased employment opportunities, not giving special treatment to the particular interests of any group or individual.

"In this regard, we offer investors an embodiment of our vision of Montenegro through full compatibility of spatial plans on all levels – from the state level to the lowest levels. We offer a clear and open strategic framework so that anyone can find room for themselves and be sure that tomorrow, or in a year, nothing will happen that will foil their business plans," pointed out Marković.

19 May 2019 - The European Commission has been preparing the 2019 progress reports and results of the elections to the European Parliament won’t affect the Progress Report for Montenegro, an EU official told Pobjeda daily.

“EU Commission has been drafting the 2019 progress reports. Their adoption will take place probably in late spring,” confirmed EU official during a recent interview.

The elections to the European Parliament will be held from 23 to 26 May. The EU Commission’s 2019 progress reports will be released on 29 May, but Pobjeda’s interlocutor didn’t want to confirm the date.

“In regards to whether the election results will affect the reports, the answer is "no", and on whether the reports have already been drafted, I can say that these are factual assessments”, the high-ranking EU official explained. He added that the Commission is currently working on an enlargement report for 2019. The report adoption will most likely be in late spring 2019.

The content of the Progress Report for MNE is unknown but Pobjeda’s interlocutor, who has been involved in the negotiation talks, said that there are several main areas of interest for Brussels. “And that is impartiality of the Agency for Anti-Corruption and elections for the RTCG Council. As for the Svetozar Marović case, Brussels will focus on Serbia in this matter, as it hasn’t extradited according to Montenegro’s demand.”

He believes that the European Commission will try to be positive, but the EU’s Council won’t be elected based on the proposals from the reports on the Western Balkan countries until the final results of the elections are known.

“The Council’s position towards the recommendations of the EC will depend on the election results, especially when it comes to Albania. Since, 2016, the EC has been proposing that Albania should start negotiations, but the situation now got even worse,” the interlocutor noted.

The Brussels official also highlighted that the balancing clause must be objectivised to the end, so if Montenegro does not open the remaining Chapter 8, or does not close some of the opened chapters, Serbia should have the same treatment as Montenegro in its accession process.

Source: Pobjeda

18 May 2019 - Foreign Minister of Montenegro Srđan Darmanović participated in the 129th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Helsinki.

18 May 2019 - Montenegro has shown strong commitment in implementing the reforms and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is ready to provide all necessary support in continuing the EU accession process, it was noted during the official visit of the Montenegrin delegation to The Hague. 

The Montenegrin delegation, led by Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević, had several meetings in The Hague to present the latest results in the field of fighting corruption and organized crime. 

Members of the delegation, consisting of member of the Negotiating Group for Chapters 23 and 24 Marijana Laković, Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić, Assistant Director of the Police Directorate for Criminal Police Sector Enis Baković and Assistant Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption Savo Milašinović met with the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice in The Hague. 

"Consistent application of European standards in the area of protection and promotion of citizens' freedoms, rights, and security, as well as continuous progress in legislative reform and institution building, as well as achieved results in the field of fight against corruption and organized crime, money laundering and temporary seizure of property are the basis for the expectation that the achieved progress will be recognised in the upcoming EC report on Montenegro. We are convinced that, based on the good results we are achieving, the EC will shortly begin the definition of benchmarks to close these chapters temporarily," Chief Negotiator Drljević stressed. 

Representatives of the Montenegrin delegation reported that all institutions, in full capacity, were committed to meeting obligations under Chapters 23 and 24. 

Representatives of the Dutch ministries welcomed Montenegro's contribution to NATO and its clear commitment to EU membership. 

They commended the compliance with the EU's foreign and security policy, the results achieved in the framework of police cooperation and the work to improve the position of the LGBT population. They recommended that in the coming period it is necessary to continue producing results in the field of fight against corruption, strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the media, adding that Montenegro can count on the full support of the Dutch institutions.

17 May 2019 - Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System Milutin Simović gave an introductory speech at the event Rising Destinations 2019 - Montenegro organised by the Southeast Europe Business Development Network (SEEBDN) and Grimex Consult, in partnership with the Austrian media company "Die Presse" in Vienna.

The economic delegation of Montenegro, headed by President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro Vlastimir Golubović, presented the economic opportunities, resources, and investment projects and potentials of Montenegro. After several business forums held in the previous period, it was a good opportunity to make direct contacts between Austrian investors and Montenegrin companies.

Montenegrin famous football player and President of the Football Association of Montenegro Dejan Savicević also took part in the event. 

DPM Simović thanked the Austrian companies for their numerous presence at the Rising Destinations 2019 - Montenegro event, which shows a significant interest in cooperation with Montenegro and Montenegrin companies and business people. He told the Austrian business people that nowadays Montenegro is a modern, democratic, open, politically stable, multi-confessional and civil state, a member of NATO, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank and all relevant international political and economic organizations.

17 May 2019 - Prime Minister Marković said that with the NATO membership, Montenegro has become part of the biggest security alliance; it is an equal partner to the most powerful and most developed countries in the world.

"The joint security framework means the investors have more confidence in Montenegro; this is an important advantage. Montenegro’s NATO membership is a signal to investors that this is a destination which enjoys the highest security standards, and that it shares the same values of partner countries, from which we wish to attract as many investors as possible. Our successful European integration shows that Montenegro is changing, that it is closer and more compatible with EU member states. We are harmonizing our entire system with the EU model and are adopting new standards, thus preparing our society for the time when we finally become a member," said Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković.

He also added that these are all signals for investors that Montenegro is a stable country, and that this is a society which is not wavering, but closely following the set strategic direction. The most important thing for investors is predictability. When it comes to Montenegro – everything is predictable – there are no surprises.

"We are on a good course, and we are steadily moving towards the set goals. The progress we have made in the European and Euro-Atlantic integrations confirm this. The great interest from prestigious investors after our joining of NATO further supports and solidifies this fact," he noted.

Furthermore, PM Marković spoke about Montenegrin competitive tax system, Government's programmes to encourage business development and infrastructure projects to make Montenegro more accessible and energy-safe.

"When it comes to physical infrastructure, we are creating strategic preconditions for an even stronger inflow of investments. We are finalising the first stage of the motorway, and we are planning to improve our airports through reliable foreign partners significantly, and we are finishing the submarine energy cable. This means that we are making Montenegro more accessible and energy-safe, and these are important preconditions for attracting quality investments," concluded Marković.

Source: The Luxury Collection

16 May 2019 - Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System Milutin Simović is in Vienna, where he met with President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka, Minister for the EU, Art, Culture and Media Gernot Blümel and members of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament of Austria Martin Engelberg, Nikolaus Berlakovich, Gudrun Kugler and Hermann Gahr. 

At the meeting with President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka, both sides expressed satisfaction with the quality of the overall relations between Montenegro and Austria. DPM Simović thanked Sobotka for the strong and concrete support of Austria to Montenegro's European perspective and pointed out that such support, which comes from an influential EU member such as Austria, is of great importance to Montenegro.

"We believe the support will continue and be even more solid at the moment of Montenegro's accession to the EU," DPM Simović noted. 

Furthermore, Simović emphasised the importance of cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries for further improvement of bilateral relations, but also for further progress of Montenegro in adopting European standards and achieving further progress in meeting Montenegrin European agenda. The Deputy Prime Minister said that, as the former Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro, he is very well aware of the importance of bilateral parliamentary cooperation and regular communication at this level in these processes. He also expressed satisfaction with the fact that, during Sobotka's official visit to Montenegro, in November last year, excellent parliamentary cooperation was established, through meetings at the highest level and meetings of governmental bodies. 

DPM Simović informed President Sobotka about the latest indicators on the growth of the Montenegrin economy and stressed the openness of the Government of Montenegro for cooperation with Austrian companies to increase the trade exchange between the two countries in the field of direct investments of Austrian investors in Montenegro. 

President Sobotka said that he always looks forward to meetings with Montenegrin officials. "Montenegro is progressing, implementing reform measures, I am familiar with its latest progress, which should be continued," Sobotka said, adding that Austria will continue to be Montenegro's reliable friend and partner that will provide strong support to its European perspective.

At the meeting with Minister for the EU, Art, Culture and Media Gernot Blümel, Simović confirmed that Montenegro was and remains firmly committed to membership in the European Union. All decisions taken by the Government of Montenegro are carefully analysed from the position of qualitative contribution to further approximation to that main state goal. 

The fact that Montenegro opened 32 out of 33 negotiating chapters confirms that the country is on the right path, said the Deputy Prime Minister and added that it can be expected that the remaining negotiation chapter 8 - Competition will be opened this year, since Montenegro has already met all the requirements to open this chapter. 

Minister Blümel encouraged Montenegro to continue its path towards the EU. He confirmed that the Government headed by Chancellor Kurz attaches special attention to further integration of the Western Balkans.

"In a time when one country leaves the EU, it is very important that we send a message that the enlargement process is alive, that the idea of a united Europe is even stronger, and these messages will be confirmed by the further progress of Montenegro and the recognition of what Montenegro has achieved so far," Blümel said. 

At the meeting with Austrian MPs and members of the Foreign Policy Committee, Martin Engelberg, Nikolaus Berlakovich, Gudrun Kugler and Hermann Gahr, DPM Simović emphasised that Austria's role in the Western Balkans is very important. Montenegro expects to understand what the Western Balkans needs in terms of its European perspective and help in resolving conflicts that continue to burden the region, Simović said.

"In our region, certain economic stability can be noted, and in that part, Montenegro is a leader according to all parameters, but economic stability, progress and development are not possible without the political stability of the region," Simović stressed. 

The Deputy Prime Minister said that he deeply believes that European partners of Montenegro will pay extra attention to the Western Balkans, noting that the alternative does not exist. 

Simović informed Austrian officials that Montenegro's primary goal on its European path is to adopt and apply European standards, that is, the quality of implementation of European legislation is more important than the date of admission.

"We understand the current circumstances within the Union and we use this period to further focus on ourselves in the fulfillment of our obligations in meeting the European agenda. It is important to join, but at this point, it is even more important to adopt EU standards, European legislation, strengthen institutions, with the belief that this will be recognised by our numerous European friends and properly evaluated," Simović said. 

Austrian parliamentarians also confirmed the position of the Government of Austria that it always had a positive attitude towards EU candidate countries. They stressed that they also remember the period when Austria was a candidate country and that they understand the Western Balkans and Montenegro in that regard. 

Martin Engelberg said that Montenegro has a reliable partner and friend in Austria. Nikolaus Berlakovich noted that Austria has always tried to provide support to Montenegro. Undoubtedly, Montenegro will be a member of the EU and that is Austria's interest, Berlakovich added. 

MP Gudrun Kugler said that she was amazed by Montenegro's natural resources, country's culture and potentials in tourism, while MP Gahr showed interest in further plans on the development of tourism, attracting foreign investments and the impact of tourism on the growth of Montenegro's economy. 

MP Engelberg proposed cooperation at the level of governments and parliaments of the two countries in the area of training young staff and civil servants. 

During his visit to Vienna, DPM Simović met with our students in Austria at the Embassy of Montenegro.

"Montenegro needs new, modern knowledge, new technologies and skills, know-how, startups and entrepreneurial advancements in all areas," Simović concluded.

16 May 2019 - The European Union must be more present in the public of the Western Balkan countries and must send clear messages to Montenegrin citizens about how much the EU invests in the development and their better lives, on a daily basis if necessary, Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković said in the German Federal Parliament - the Bundestag, where he talked with the MPs of the Committee on European Union Affairs.

"One discrepancy attracts attention, which at first glance can hardly be explained. The EU and Western countries are the largest investors and donors in the Western Balkans. We often hear voices from the region that the EU must be more present in the Western Balkans. And here's what it looks like in the last ten years: more than eight billion of investments, the trade has doubled and exceeds 49.5 billion. The EU is the main trading partner of the region and makes up 73% of its trade, and the region has increased its exports to the EU by 142%. Messages about the rule of law are not the only important messages that must be sent - but our citizen wants primarily to live better and feel those benefits. The EU must be more present in public in this regard and send clear messages to our citizens about how much they invest in our development and their better lives," Prime Minister Marković said in his address to the Committee.

The Prime Minister thanked Germany supporting Montenegrin reforms and said that Montenegro is looking forward to the growing interest and presence of investors from Germany, and that Montenegro wants Germany as a partner, but also as a model and objective observer of opportunities.

"We do not want a partnership with Germany just because of support and investment, but because of democratic values, including those that concern corporate and business standards to strengthen the domestic business culture that is still suffering the consequences of the old system," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking about the European integration process of Montenegro, PM Marković said that Montenegro is not calculating.

"Our orientation and course are clear. We are a country that, in all cases, joins the EU's common, foreign and security policy, which has proven to be a responsible member and a reliable ally in NATO," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Marković said that the most important achievement of the Government of Montenegro in the past two years is economic growth that exceeded all expectations.

"You will not always find this data in the reports when it comes to Montenegro. To illustrate this claim, I will inform you about the results of economic policy in the last two years. We achieved growth rates at an average rate of 4.9 percent, almost in all sectors from tourism, energy, agriculture, industry, trade, which in the past was not the case. We reduced the unemployment rate by more than 6 percent and increased the number of employees by over 17,000. In the first quarter of this year, the parameters are already better than at the same time last year. For two years, we have been recording the stability of public finances and we are financing current spending from the original revenues. At this moment, Montenegro is a large construction site with very significant projects in the capital infrastructure and with a large inflow of foreign direct investments of over EUR one billion and five hundred million. We have halved the budget deficit and there is no fear for the sustainability of our public finances. Our goal is to ensure the continuity of such high growth rates, to achieve a budget surplus in 2020, to provide a declining trend in public debt, increase employment and standard of living," Prime Minister Duško Marković said at the Bundestag Committee on European Union Affairs.

The Prime Minister informed the Committee about the reforms implemented by Montenegro, with particular reference to the judiciary and the fight against organized crime.

"It is evident that organized crime loses the battle with the State, the institutions are getting stronger and more efficient. I want to thank your country for its support in strengthening the rule of law that will soon result in the sending of your experts to the Ministry of Justice and the Montenegrin police, which we had in the Ministry of Justice in previous years," PM Marković noted.

The judiciary has strengthened its capacities and raised the level of efficiency and promptness, PM Marković said and added that the last week's verdicts in the process of attempting terrorism or destabilization of Montenegro in order to deter it from its path to NATO proved that the judiciary is immune to external pressures and that it professionally performed its job in the most complex trial in the recent history of Montenegrin judiciary.

Speaking about the media scene, Prime Minister Marković said that the Government, within its jurisdiction, is doing everything possible to improve the environment, including the improvement of the legal framework, using expertise and counseling of the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

The Prime Minister concluded the address by saying that Montenegro is not a country that is threatened by its current challenges.

"Very strong facts prove this: we are a NATO member, the leader in the EU integration process, the exporter of stability and the fastest growing economy in the region. You will agree, however, that in the last twelve years, these results could not be achieved if the real situation was different or at the level of perception in certain important areas," Prime Minister Duško Marković stressed.

15 May 2019 - Minister of Science and Chairperson of the SEEIIST Steering Committee Sanja Damjanović met with Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev. Minister Damjanović invited the Prime Minister of North Macedonia to support the SEEIIST project by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation, drafted by its Steering Committee members. This memorandum is harmonized with the representatives of the foreign ministries of the region at the beginning of March this year in Podgorica. 

Prime Minister Zaev confirmed the full support of the Republic of North Macedonia to the SEEIIST project and the readiness to sign the Memorandum. 

A major international infrastructure project for sustainable technologies, SEEIIST, is entering the next phase thanks to the first financial support from the European Commission, as well as the open support of renowned CERN institutions in Geneva and GSI in Darmstadt. With strong expert support from prestigious institutions, the SEEIIST project cannot be unsuccessful. In order for this project to be implemented in the SEE region, a strong political commitment is needed throughout the region. 

The Minister presented the SEEIIST project at the Academy of Sciences and Arts of North Macedonia (MANU) within the CERN Days in North Macedonia. The Minister pointed out the importance of this project to improve cooperation in research, innovation and technological development in the Region, as well as the treatment of cancer patients with the most modern method. She particularly highlighted the role of CERN as one of the hosts of the SEEIIST Design Study Phase. The speakers at the seminar were representatives of CERN: Prof. Dr. Christoph Schäfer, Prof. Dr. Ludwik Dobrzynski and Prof. Dr. Daniel Denegri. 

Minister of Science Damjanović is paying a visit to North Macedonia at the invitation of SEEIIST Steering Committee members, Prof. Dr. Petar Atanasov, Assistant Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia and Prof. Dr. Mimoza Ristova from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University "Ss. Cyril and Methodius".

15 May 2019 - Montenegro has ten exhibitors at the fair bringing together all the important actors of agribusiness from the region, including some of the most successful Montenegro's companies.

 "The fact that the exhibitors from Montenegro have won 163 medals for quality this year speaks volumes about the quality of domestic products and the profitability of investments in this sector," Minister of Economy Dragica Sekulić said at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of the Provincial Government of Vojvodina Đorđe Milicević, which took place within her visit to the 86th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad.

Montenegro has a common stand of 117m2 in the Master Hall, consisting of representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism. Minister Sekulić pledged full support to the private sector, through the creation of numerous support programmes for entrepreneurs.

"Last year we supported over 100 companies, which is about 50% more than in the previous year, and we are sure that this number will increase this year," she stressed.

The Economy Minister added that Serbia, when it comes to trade, is Montenegro's most important partner, both in exports and imports.

Montenegro also participated in the International Agriculture Fair in Novi Sad during the last year. On this occasion, Montenegrin businesspeople had a successful presentation at a joint stand organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro in partnership with the Montenegrin Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Economy and the Investment and Development Fund.