27 November 2018 - Around 50 international students from partner universities spend one academic year at the University of Montenegro through mobility programs. As the University reports, the majority of students come from Poland, Portugal, and Romania.

“Foreign students are usually interested in the Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Philology, Art Academy and Faculty of Political Sciences. They usually stay in dormitories,” said the representatives of the University of Montenegro.

A user of one of such programs, Beatriz Santos Boa, from Portugal, talks about her experience in the country.

“I am a post-graduate in the field of political sciences and international relations. This place seemed to be a very safe country to live. I am delighted with my choice,” says Beatriz.

The best part as she says is that she learned more about the history of the country and its politics.

“In Portugal, the Balkans is not in the focus of attention, and therefore, coming to Montenegro was a lesson,” says Beatriz.

She has stayed in the country for five months, maximum period offered by the Erasmus program, but she fell in love with the country and she plans to come back.

“I would recommend Montenegro to every foreign student, since it is a beautiful country, with kind people, willing to help. Language barrier might be a problem, but with time, that can be resolved too. We managed to communicate effectively with the use of English and very limited knowledge of Montenegrin language,” says Beatriz.

Finally, Beatriz says that her stay in Montenegro was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

26 November 2018 - Skadar Lake is the largest freshwater lake on the Balkan Peninsula and is located in the western Balkans, on the border between Montenegro and Albania, south of the Dinaric Alps. It is very specific, not only for its landscapes but also for its rich and dynamic history which created a special spirit of the people living along its shores.

The gastronomy of this area is largely identified with the Mediterranean gastronomy. However, the local products and cuisine are known for their simplicity and clear territorial identity which are common to both northern Albania and south of Montenegro. The mixture of high quality meat, especially veal and lamb; lake fish such as carp, eels, bleak and grey mullet; humble and yet fresh dairy products such as goat, cow and sheep cheese and yoghurt; delicious fruit and vegetables grown in this territory such as okra, aubergines, onion, tomatoes and figs, pomegranates, grapes and alike provide something for travellers to look forward to discovering! Here are the recommendations of places you should not miss this winter within the Skadar Lake Region (Montenegro), provided by the Ethno-gastronomic Route.

1. Pelikan Hotel Restaurant

Guests of the hotel and restaurant Pelikan can enjoy excellent service, comfortable accommodation, and a typical lake menu. This hotel/restaurant is located in the main square of the old town of Virpazar at Skadar Lake. The pleasant owners of Pelikan, Zorka and Toman are especially proud of a traditional room called “odžaklija” which is filled with many old and traditional items for guests to see. Hotel services include comfortable accommodation - double and triple rooms – featuring all the essential amenities such as modern bathing and shower facilities, air conditioning, and TV. The hotel and restaurant are open all year round, and there is plenty of parking available nearby.

2. Posljednja Luka Restaurant

Restaurant Posljednja Luka is located in the beautiful town of Rijeka Crnojevića. Guests can enjoy lake fish specialties prepared by the pleasant host Dragan and his mother. The design of this restaurant is of the fishermen’s motif. There is a balcony with superb views of the vicinity. This restaurant located at Skadar Lake offers interesting lake excursions and fishing trips. This restaurant is open all year, every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and can accommodate around 60 guests. Parking is available.

3. Stari Most Restaurant

Restaurant Stari Most is located in a beautiful setting in the small town of Rijeka Crnojevića, near the old historic bridge. Visitors will enjoy the ambience within the restaurant which combines traditional Montenegrin features with modern design elements. The restaurant can accommodate up to 100 guests and includes a section dedicated to wines from both the region and abroad. A group lunch can be arranged upon request. This restaurant is famous for its fish specialties. Restaurant Stari Most is open every day throughout the year from noon to 10 p.m. Parking is available.

4. Niagara Restaurant

Nikola Ujkić is the owner of the unique restaurant Niagara, located near natural waterfalls on the shore of the river Cijevna. Guests can enjoy the inviting ambiance of this restaurant while tasting local Montenegrin specialties. This kind host is a livestock farmer, so all of the meat and dairy products used in the restaurant kitchen come from his large farm nearby. Nikola is also a producer of wine and brandy so that guests may enjoy a glass of these domestically prepared beverages as well. This restaurant is open all year round. Plenty of parking is available on the premises.

5. Votra Tavern

Votra is a beautiful tavern located in the center of Ostros. Visitors can dine on delicious regional dishes prepared by hosts Bejto and his son Miljaim. The tavern is decorated using rustic, ethno style design elements, and includes a display of many valuable ethnographic items from the region. The menu is mostly meat and fish based, along with chestnut desserts and other sweets typical for this area. The hosts can arrange a hiking tour on Mt. Rumija and a visit to some nearby historical sites. Tavern Votra is open all year – daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking space is available.

6. Badanj Tavern

Tavern Badanj is located on the shore of Shkodër / Skadar Lake, just a few meters from the water, near an old bridge in the beautiful historic town of Virpazar. This tavern includes two summer garden dining areas and two interior dining rooms. Owner Nenad Petranović has a clear grasp on local traditions. The tavern provides a welcoming dining experience, a cozy atmosphere, the sounds of old traditional music, and a menu with mouthwatering dishes, local homemade wine, and brandy. The tavern is open all year from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There are plenty of parking spots available.

7. Crmnički Vinotok Tavern

Jovan Dabović is the owner of TerryDab tourist agency and the tavern Crmnički Vinotok in Virpazar. One area of the restaurant/tavern is a dining room which seats 16 persons and is decorated with antique furnishings; its walls are adorned with about 150 bottles of premium wine from producers in the Crmnica region. The second section of the tavern is a dining room which can seat 44 guests. The tavern provides delicious, homemade fish specialties. Mr. Dabović’s offer also includes accommodation services in the apartments located near this tavern. Tavern Crmnički Vinotok and the tourist agency TerryDab are open daily throughout the year. Parking is available.

25 November 2018 - Herceg Novi is a gorgeous coastal town in Montenegro located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen. Known as “The City of Sun” for its numerous sunny days all year round, Herceg Novi is often recognizable by beautiful mimosa flowers that bloom throughout the city towards the end of January. This enchanting and picturesque town offers exciting trips, tours and entertainment for tourist, and here are our top 5 things and recommendations for this winter!

1. Take a Tour through the Herceg Novi Old Town

Old Town Herceg Novi is the centre of the city and a charming district surrounded by limestone walls. Even though you have to walk the stairs to get to get the full impression of the tall stone buildings, the fortress, town square, city museum and a lot of family-run shops and small cafes, it will be worth your effort! In winter, which can be characterised as mild in Herceg Novi, the Old Town turns from busy to a quiet place, and you can explore it in a whole new manner. You definitely shouldn’t miss exploring the Citadel, Forte Mare, Tower of St. Jerome, Nikole Đurkovića Square, Belavista Square, the Clock Tower, Kanli Kula, and the Fort Španjola!

2. Visit the Savina Winery Cellar

At the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, by the Savina Monastery, sun-soaked vineyards throughout the year are still bearing fruit like they did back in the 18th century. This family-run winery has carefully picked the finest grapes from their vineyard and has nurtured the wine in french oak barrels in their gorgeous estate cellar. Savina Winery has two hectares with international grape varietals (Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Chardonnay) and one indigenous white varietal, Žižak (zhizhak). The vineyards are located in the best part of the estate, with southern exposition and with a spectacular view over the sea. Their wines are characterized as light and breezy, with a summer style. If you want a glimpse of the vinyard and the cellar, you can book a private tour accompanied by wine tasting and matching local bites and have a splendid experience!

3. Have a Great Meal at the Old Wine House Montenegro

Ethno house "Old Wine House Montenegro" is situated in a gorgeous rural setting of Sasovići, above Zelenika, in an old house dating from 1689, owned by Šimrak family. The ethno house has kept the tradition of producing wine, juice, olive oil, bread, vegetables, fruits and all other necessary food for the household and the restaurant. It offers traditional cuisine and dishes prepared in an old-fashioned way also known as "under the sač.” As the ethno house is family-owned, the owners kept the traditional recipes and hospitality of their ancestors, as they provide an authentic atmosphere accompanied by urban traditional folk music.

4. Night Out at Prostorija (English: "The Room")

Prostorija is a great place to visit if youre looking for a night on the town. Opened on the stairs to the marine, a decade long place of alternative culture, Prostorija has a concept which is proven as one of the critical toponyms of Herceg Novi's independent art scene, but also the culture of urban life. In the bar, the sound and program are based on several musical styles, among which are African, Latin jazz and funky house.

5. Enjoy Wellness Treatments at Institute "Dr Simo Milošević"

Dr Simo Milošević is primarily an institute for physical medicine, rehabilitatiton, and rheumatology. It is one of the largest and the most famous institutions for a multidisciplinary spa treatment in the Balkans. It is a pioneer of the modern physical and preventive medicine, rehabilitation, talasotherapy, and wellness, and it became one of the leading international centers for rehabilatation of children, adults, and seniors. Besides the prevention program and health rehabilitation, Institute Igalo also offers wellness and recreational programs, which primarily rely on modern medical principals. These programs are devoted to the promotion of a healthy way of living, correction of bad living habits, and just enjoying the benefits of aromatherapies, massages and face, body and soul pampering treatments.

25 November 2018 - To mark ten years of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Montenegro, the embassy of the United Arab Emirates is organizing the UAE-MNE Cultural Evening on Tuesday, November 27 at the Great Hall of the Cultural and Informational Centre "Budo Tomović" from 7 PM.

As it was announced in the official report by the CIC “Budo Tomović,” the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Montenegrin games performed by Cultural and Artistic Association "Njegoš" from Cetinje and the traditional Emirate performance of the ensemble from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

As explained within the announcement, diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Montenegro were established in 2008. “This year, the two countries celebrate ten years of diplomatic relations that have always been in the spirit of friendship, trust, solidarity, and understanding. For these 10 years the United Arab Emirates and Montenegro have learned a lot about each other, have found ways to work in many areas, and have come close to the two peoples seemingly entirely different and far, turning them into friends and partners," the report says.

The UAE Embassy started working in Montenegro in 2010 and has since made a significant contribution to the promotion of Emirates culture, bringing prominent artists in the field of calligraphy, painting, and drawing, traditional music from the region and traditional costumes typical of UAE.

"Now, for the first time in Montenegro, the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the folklore performances of the cultural, artistic associations from the UAE, in a friendly exchange with the cultural, artistic association from Montenegro," the CIC reports.

Free tickets for UAE-MNE Cultural Evening can be redeemed at the CIC Ticket Office every workday from 9 AM to 8 PM.

25 November 2018 - There are significant advantages in using wind energy, which explains why it's one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. As an alternative to burning fossil fuels wind farm and its power is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, consumes no water, and uses little land. Montenegro has recognized the benefits of wind power and decided to invest in a capital-intensive project of building the necessary station infrastructure.

After two years of construction of 23 windmills with 46 MW power, worth 40 million EUR on the hill between Bar and Ulcinj, Možura wind farm will begin producing electricity by the end of this month as part of the country’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet the renewable energy standards of the European Union it aspires to join.

Speaking in a morning TV show of the public broadcaster RTCG, Minister of Economy of Montenegro Dragica Sekulić said that the Možura wind power plant is going to be operational by the end of this month, which will, according to her, significantly contribute to the stability of the electricity supply throughout the country. “According to the information we obtained from the investor, we expect the Možura wind power plant to be tested by the end of November,” emphasized Sekulić.

As the Minister explained during the interview, in 2016, Montenegro produced an output of 4 billion EUR, while a year later the economic growth accounted for 4,7%. In 2018, Montenegro also recorded an increase in its domestic product. Any production significantly contributes to economic growth, which is why it is especially crucial for the country to vary in methods of electricity production. The plan is for Montenegro not to depend on hydropower plants and the rainfall concerning electricity supply.

The state representatives have signed the contract in which it is stated that the purchase price of electricity produced in the wind farm would be warranted and fixed for the first 12 years of operation and would not be less than 95,99 euros per megawatt hour (MWh).

The Ministry hopes that this project, which most certainly has a safe future on the energy market, will encourage new investment in renewable sources.

23 November 2018 - The judgments of the European Court of Human Rights about Montenegro represent a real treasury of legal knowledge that guides us and illuminates the directions in which the Montenegrin legal system should be developed, Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin noted.

22 November 2018 - The OSCE Mission to Montenegro, in partnership with the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and the Department for Gender Equality, delivered three two-day workshops during October and November 2018 to gender equality focal points from 12 Montenegrin municipalities on how to train their colleagues on understanding gender equality and gender mainstreaming.

The workshops, held in Podgorica on 24-26 October, 1-2 November and 13-14 November 2018, provided participants with an opportunity to learn how to plan and deliver training courses and organize awareness-raising events within their respective municipalities. Through an interactive approach, the experts strengthened the participants’ knowledge of gender mainstreaming, explained the legal framework about gender equality, and presented training techniques and skills.

The OSCE Mission, in cooperation with the Parliamentary Committee for Gender Equality in Montenegro, held the training courses on gender mainstreaming to ensure that gender equality is a core component in legislative drafting. Members of Parliament and parliamentary committee staff discussed how to analyse legislation from a gender perspective, strategize to mainstream gender in state institutions and develop gender equality policy consistent with international standards.

“We want to support the parliament in its efforts to translate its legislative commitments into good practices, to become more and more a gender-sensitive parliament,” says Ana Krušić, Senior Programme Assistant at the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. The OSCE Mission to Montenegro has been working in partnership with the parliament for many years on projects which, in addition to the promotion of gender mainstreaming, have included capacity building of committees, working with administrative staff and supporting exchanges of regional experiences. Gender expert Karolina Leaković, who led the training course, said: “Cooperation with the parliament and its service is important because the parliament is at the centre of the legislative process and has an important role in developing gender-sensitive legislation and promoting principles of gender equality.”

The training course is a part of the education on gender equality and gender mainstreaming envisaged by the Action Plan for a Gender Sensitive Parliament, which was developed and adopted by the Committee with the support of the Mission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The first course was organized in April this year.

Read more about OSCE mission here.

21 November 2018 - According to the security specialists of the International SOS Company, who assign specific ratings to countries by assessing a range of health risks and mitigating factors, Libya, Afghanistan and Somalia are the most dangerous countries in the world, while Finland, Norway and Iceland are rated as the safest countries.

On the interactive map on this company’s website, you can find data for countries that are rated in three categories - safety, medical and road safety. Countries marked with dark red are the worst affected, while those rated as light green are the safest countries.

The medical factors assessed include infectious diseases, environmental factors, the standard and availability of local emergency medical and dental care, access to quality pharmaceutical supplies, the requirement for medical evacuation, in addition to cultural, language or administrative barriers. The travel security risk rating evaluates the threat posed to travellers and international assignees by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest, and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) as well as violent and petty crime. Other factors, such as the robustness of the transport infrastructure, the state of industrial relations, the effectiveness of the security and emergency services and the country’s susceptibility to natural disasters are also considered where they are of sufficient magnitude to impact the overall risk environment for travellers. Travel Security Risk Zones are areas within a country where the risks faced by travellers and international assignees are different from the country’s overall risk environment, usually necessitating a different level of preparation.

In Southeast Europe, Slovenia was declared the safest, while Kosovo is the least secure country. Comparing to the countries of the world, Slovenia is rated as a country with an “insignificant risk”, and Kosovo is a “medium risk” country. Montenegro, as well as Croatia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia are all rated as low-risk countries.

In terms of medical security, Montenegro is a medium-risk country, which the International SOS Company explains as a country with an “appropriate standard of care available from selected providers”. The countries with medium medical risks have reliable emergency services and dental care available most of the time. Some risks of food or water-borne diseases are still present. Montenegro enjoys a low-risk status on the list created by road safety criteria.

Read more about International SOS here.

21 November 2018 - According to AserNews reports, Portonovi Montenegro will feature as one of the leading exhibitors at the 4th International Real Estate & Investment Exhibition Rec Expo Real Estate held on November 22-24 at Baku Expo Centre.

Located at one of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean coast, this exquisite multi-use resort in Montenegro will open its doors to first residents in 2019.

Boasting its luxurious residential area with magnificent gardens, a D-Marin Portonovi Marina for boats and superyachts, the first One&Only resort in Europe with Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa, Portonovi is set to be the most exclusive real estate project in this part of Europe.

On a perfect position between Italy, Greece and Balkan Peninsula, Montenegro is famous for magnificent nature, centuries-long history, rich cultural life, and soothing climate. Having more than 250 sunny days in a year, Portonovi is the perfect European home on a picturesque Mediterranean coast. Symbolizing the country’s outstanding beauty and exceptional lifestyle, the resort spreads on 26 hectares of land with more than 200 apartment residences and over 50 luxurious villas with gardens, amenities and branded interior design options. A mixture of restaurants, bars and high-end shops and galleries are designed for the citizens of the world who appreciates authenticity, culture and history of civilizations. This elegant neighborhood is set to be one of the most sought-after residential and leisure destinations in the Mediterranean.

On top of this, Montenegro as a European country has one of the most favorable legal, financial and tax systems for business investment. Increasing number of airlines from global destinations is definitely a great advantage. Also, open visa policy for many world countries is a sign of political stability and good cooperation on an international level.

Azmont Investments, the main developer, will feature this world-class resort at Real Estate & Investment Exhibition Rec Expo Real Estate from 22nd to 24th November at Baku Expo Centre.

21 November 2018 - The Tourist organization of the municipality of Budva, in cooperation with the National Tourism Organization, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro, the tourism industry and strategic partners, has represented the tourism offer of Montenegro on the international exchange of tourism CITM 2018, which was held in Shanghai from November 16 to 18.

Traditionally, the Montenegrin and Serbian tourism offer was promoted under the joint brand "Wild Soul of Europe", which proved to be a good model, given the specificity of the East Asian region and the habits of Chinese tourists to visit as many of the countries that are geographically close during their travels.

Montenegro has noted significant growth in the past years in terms of arrivals and overnight stays from the Chinese market. During 2017, about 24 thousand Chinese tourists visited Montenegro, which is double the number of visits compared to the previous year. There were 34,000 overnight stays, which is also almost double the increase compared to the last year period.

The trend of growth continued this year, given that according to the official statistics of the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, from the beginning of the year to the end of September this year there is an increase of about 65% in the number of tourists in Montenegrin hotels from China, as well as an increase in the number of overnight stays of around 51% compared to the same period last year.

Visa liberalization has also contributed to good results, and now citizens of the People's Republic of China, who come to Montenegro in an organized manner (via tour operators), can travel without a visa.

In line with the growing interest of tourists from this market, during the fair, Montenegrin representatives spoke with numerous tour operators and agents from China, among whom was one of the leaders in this market - "Ctrip". The meetings discussed the possibilities of attracting a large number of Chinese tourists, visa liberalization for individual travel, connections with tour operators from Montenegro, and other subjects that might interest tour operators and tourists from China. On the second day of the fair, the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro has participated in a B2B event for networking of exhibitors and customers.

CITM is one of the most important tourism markets in Asia, which gathers over 2300 exhibitors from different countries of the world. The fair has visited over 800 specialized international buyers from the field of tourism from more than 100 countries. In addition, the stock market is visited by a large number of media outlets every year. Also, this year's International Tourism Fair CITM has hosted numerous high representatives of countries from all over the world, managers of world-renowned companies, well-known economic analysts as well as entrepreneurs from the People's Republic of China.

At the joint stand of Montenegro and Serbia, the joint tourism offer is promoted by the organizations Fly Montenegro, Budva Tourist Organization, Montenegrin Tourist Service Travel Agency and Travel Europe Vip.