04 October 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted that the first official visit of a US Secretary of State to Montenegro testifies to the fact that the two countries foster friendship and alliance.

"Following the visit of Vice President Mike Pence, this is further evidence of the excellent relations between our two countries and a sign that the United States values ​​our alliance and constructive role in the region and beyond," Prime Minister Duško Marković underscored at the joint press conference, describing the first visit of a US Secretary of State to Montenegro as historic. Secretary of State Pompeo made the same assessment.

03 October 2019 - Unicaja Malaga showed its character by downing Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 83-70 at home in EuroCup Group D on Wednesday. Volodymyr Herun paced the winners with 19 points in less than 19 minutes and Josh Adams added 15 on 5-of-7 three-point shots for Unicaja. Scott Bamforth led Buducnost with 19 points and Justin Cobbs added 16. Bamforth had 11 first-quarter points to lead Buducnost to an 18-25 lead after 10 minutes. Carlos Suarez and Jaime Fernandez rescued Unicaja and Adams allowed the hosts to get a 48-42 margin at halftime. Unicaja led throughout the second half and took off midway through the fourth quarter to seal the outcome.

Suad Sehovic got Buducnost going with a three-pointer and a layup by Bamforth soon gave his team a 2-5 lead. Unicaja found a go-to guy in Herun, who singlehandedly gave the hosts their first lead, 9-7. Herun kept pacing Unicaja, scoring 12 points in the opening 6 minutes for a 14-9 margin. Bamforth struck from downtown, igniting a 0-12 run in which Cobbs had 7 points, good for a 14-21 lead. Bamforth remained unstoppable, leading the visitors to an 18-25 margin after 10 minutes. Carlos Suarez and Alberto Diaz each nailed a triple to make it 24-27 early in the second quarter. Nikola Ivanovic and Hassan Martin stepped up for Buducnost, but Frank Elegar, Fernandez and Suarez fueled an 11-0 run that put Unicaja in charge, 35-31. Aleksa Avramovic took over with a backdoor layup and Adams did better with back-to-back three-pointers for a 43-35 Unicaja cushion.

Ivanovic and Cobbs tried to change things for Buducnost, but Fernandez and an unstoppable Adams kept Unicaja in charge, 48-42, at halftime. Herun and Fernandez scored around the basket soon after the break and another triple by Adams made it a double-digit game, 55-45. Adams hit his fifth shot, getting help from Deon Thompson and Diaz to keep Unicaja way ahead, 63-51. Martin and Bamforth brought Buducnost a bit closer, 67-59, after 30 minutes. A three-pointer by Danilo Nikolic gave the visitors hope at 69-62 with 7 minutes left. Waczynski answered from downtown, igniting a game-breaking 12-0 run which Herun capped with a layup that sealed the outcome, 81-62, long before the final buzzer.

Adams blew up the game with his shots from downtown; he hit 3 of them late in the first half to put Unicaja ahead for good and added 2 more after the break to ignite the crowd. Adams finished the game with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls drawn and a performance index rating of 15 - all in his first-ever EuroCup game.

Buducnost managed to get within 69-62 with 7 minutes left and Unicaja was struggling on offense. Waczynski and Diaz each hit a three-pointer in a 12-0 run that helped the hosts put the victory on ice. The great fourth-quarter defense made it possible, too - Unicaja allowed 11 points in the final 10 minutes.

Three-point shots and its overall aggressiveness allowed Unicaja to win the game. Unicaja hit 10 of 29 three-pointers (34.5%) and limited Buducnost to just 4 of 17 (23.5%). Unicaja won in offensive rebounds (12-9), steals (7-3) and blocks (3-2). The game went to the team that wanted it more.

For the second time in three EuroCup campaigns, Unicaja opened the regular season against Buducnost. Back on October 19, 2016, Unicaja downed Buducnost 62-86 in Podgorica behind 19 points from Jamar Smith. Unicaja went on to win the EuroCup title that season. Suarez, Waczynski and Diaz played that game and are still with the team.

Both teams return to EuroCup action on Wednesday, October 9. Unicaja visits Adecco Arka Gdynia in what will be a very special game for Polish swingman Adam Waczynski. Later that evening, Buducnost hosts Dolomiti Energia Trento.

Source: EuroCup 7Days News

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

02 October 2019 - Montenegro is recognized as a promoter of peace, social inclusion and cohesion, tolerance and regional cooperation, economic growth and stability in the part of the world characterized by complex interstate relations, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović at the Days of Dialogue Conference.

The two-day reunion Days of Dialogue: Let’s talk about the future, was opened in Podgorica today, gathering over a hundred participants from different sectors, with the aim of opening conversation about social cohesion in Montenegro and the region.

The event is organized by the UNDP program and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Srđan Dramanović said that Montenegro was recognized as a promoter of peace, social inclusion and cohesion, tolerance and regional cooperation, economic growth and stability in that part of the world characterized by complex interstate relations.

He pointed out that target groups in this project – young people, women, and media – were one of the most important factors of the creation of a mature and responsible society, strengthening trust and promotion of dialogue and tolerance.

"Montenegro will remain a reliable UN partner in the activities aimed at strengthening peace, coexistence, and tolerance in the region and worldwide," pointed out Darmanović.

Daniela Gasparikova, the permanent UNDP representative in Montenegro, said that she had visited Montenegro for the first time in 1998, reports CdM.

"The progress is evident: Montenegro has achieved so much in the process of democratization, equality and respect for differences. In addition, it plays an important role in the stability of the region. Since I was appointed a permanent UNDP representative, I have been travelling across the country in order to feel life in local communities. What I saw is the richness of diversity and that is Montenegro’s advantage and a strong foundation for further progress," concluded Gasparikova.

Participants in the two-day dialogue come from all different kinds of spheres. Dialogue for the Future provides a platform where people from different social spheres meet and create solutions for a better future. Highest officials from three countries have joined forces with UN organizations, endeavoring to contribute to inclusive growth around the region.

"Dialogue for the Future” regional program is financed by UN funds for peace development. A key partner in the implementation of this project in Montenegro is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Also, the Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Human and Minority rights are actively engaged in the program.

In the next two days, participants will get the opportunity to create solutions for the communities, countries and the region, for the sake of citizens. Finally, the solutions will be presented in the regional dialogue in Sarajevo at the end of November.

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

01 October 2019 - In the first eight months of this year, Montenegrin hotels welcomed 913.981 guests, i.e., there were 17,2 per cent more guests compared to the same period last year. In addition, 3.508.608 overnight stays were registered, i.e., 9,2 per cent more than last year, suggest the latest preliminary data of the Montenegrin Statistical Office, MONSTAT.

MONSTAT’s latest data also indicate another positive trend: in June, July and August 2018, 517.160 guests stayed in Montenegrin hotels, while this year there were 571.632 guests. In 2018, there were 2.485.411 overnight stays in hotels, and this year there were 2.644.762 overnights. The number of foreign tourists in Montenegro who stayed in collective accommodation (hotels, camping sites, tourist resorts, vacation facilities, boarding houses, motels, etc.) was 827.356, that is, 3.151.272 overnight stays, writes Cafe del Montenegro.

The August results additionally contributed to the average hotel stay in Montenegro. The average stay was 3,3 in June, 3,55 in July, while the average stay of all tourists visiting Montenegro from the beginning of the year to the end of August reached 3,84 per guest. Concerning the average overnight stays by the regions, it ranged from 4,12 in the coast to over two overnights in the north, and 1,66 overnight stay in the capital, Podgorica.

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

30 September 2019 - Montenegro’s successful cooperation with the Council of Europe is particularly important in terms of expert support in the field of Montenegrin media legislation reform, said Montenegrin Minister of Culture, Aleksandar Bogdanović at a meeting with Head of the Information Society Department at the Council of Europe Patrick Penninckx. On this occasion, Minister Bogdanović informed Penninckx about activities in drafting new legal solutions.

Mr. Penninckx stressed that the cooperation with the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Culture on the reform of media legislation has been extremely productive so far. Furthermore, he expressed the belief that the new legal solutions will further enhance media activity in Montenegro.

The two officials highlighted the importance of free and independent media as a basis for the stability of a democratic society, adding that the aforementioned area should be continuously improved, both through systemic solutions and consistent implementation of rights and obligations by all actors of society.

Minister Bogdanović and Mr. Penninckx spoke about the upcoming start of the second phase of the 2019-2022 JUFREX Horizontal Facility Programme for the Western Balkans and Turkey, with the aim of normative and institutional protection and promotion of freedom of expression and implementation of high standards of the European legal framework as an important precondition and principle of sustainable democracy.

30 September 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović finished his visit to New York, where he participated in the General Debate of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, meeting with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Guterres expressed satisfaction with the meeting with President Đukanović, because, as he said, Montenegro is a member with no problems. He characterized relations between Montenegro and the UN as excellent, and cooperation in all areas appropriate. The United Nations especially appreciates the initiatives taken towards a peaceful resolution of problems in the region, in which Montenegro is the voice of common sense.

In the context of reaching the full stability of the region, Guterres stressed the importance of creating an environment in which things will move positively, assessing that one of the causes is still unresolved issues, with some delay in Brussels regarding enlargement. He expressed the expectation that the future composition of the European Commission would show greater enthusiasm for the enlargement to the Western Balkans, reported the President's Office.

President Đukanović thanked Secretary-General Guterres for taking the time to meet on a rich agenda during the session and reaffirmed Montenegro's strong partnership and commitment to UN values ​​and multilateralism. He recalled the dynamic agenda of meeting with UN officials and, in the context of continued political dialogue, invited Guterres to visit Montenegro for the 15th anniversary of UN membership in 2021. At the same time, that visit would be a good message for the region as well, Đukanović said.

The President pointed out the key priorities of Montenegro's further development - continuation of European integration and preservation of dynamic economic development, with the assessment that the UN's impetus to accelerate the integration of the Region would be further significant given the strong conviction that WB problems cannot be resolved outside the European Union and Euro-Atlantic structures.

He reaffirmed Montenegro's strong support for UN initiatives and full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as reform processes within the system, with continued cooperation with the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro.

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

30 September 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović met with UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore in New York, where he attends the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

President Đukanović expressed his gratitude for the continued support of UNICEF Montenegro in the implementation of numerous joint projects that resulted in the implementation of legal reforms in the field of child protection, prevention of domestic violence, juvenile justice, and education, and inclusive education.

He pointed to the quality of partnerships which enabled constructive dealing with very sensitive issues and led to significant changes in society in the field of social policy and child protection, and promotion of children's rights and raising awareness of the need for their protection, changes in social behavior and environment, especially in the areas health, education and equal rights. On this line, he expressed his belief that successful cooperation will continue in the future through the implementation of the Cooperation Program for Montenegro for the period 2017-2021, which aims to build on the results achieved so far in the field of child protection and social inclusion and quality education, reported his Office.

The President emphasized that the protection of the rights of children and young people is high on the agenda of the priorities of Montenegro and stressed the importance of adopting the Strategy for the realization of the rights of the child for the period 2019-2023 as a key document in this area. He stressed his readiness to be, as formerly, promoter of the campaigns conducted by the UNICEF office in Montenegro and announced support for the forthcoming campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of vaccination.

Director Fore said that she was honored and delighted with Montenegro's good experience with UNICEF.

"You carry the urge to do something and help the children in Montenegro," pointed out Fore.

She welcomed President Đukanović's willingness to participate in the immunization campaign, with the desire to encourage other countries in the region to take action in the fight against negative campaigning on this topic through his leadership. She emphasized future projects as an early childhood education and skills development for adolescents that will enable them to have a happier and more productive life, which is accepted with pleasure.

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

28 September 2019 - A memorandum on cooperation between the chambers of commerce of Montenegro and the Körfez district was signed on the Business Forum of Montenegro and Turkey in Podgorica. It was stated that investments from Turkey were increasing. In 2018, two states exchanged goods worth 100,7 million EUR.

This agreement is a solid basis for further economic relations with Turkey, said the signatories, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce Ivan Saveljić and President of the Chamber of Commerce of Körfez Recep Öztürk 

"There is space for the improvement of economic relations between the two countries," said Saveljić.

The Turkish delegation consisted of the representatives of 30 companies of Körfez in the field of energy, construction, metal-processing, trade, logistics, automobile industry and real estate.

Presenting the economic environment of Montenegro, Saveljić pointed out that the country was characterized by intense economic growth.

The most important infrastructure and tourist projects will create safe presumptions for the further economic growth of Montenegro and improvement of life quality of its citizens.

Apart from cooperation in trade, investments from Turkey have surged. Since 2010, a total of 190,3 million EUR has been invested from Turkey, writes CdM.

Last year around 43.000 tourists visited Montenegro. Montenegro expects new investments in the energy sector.

"We have excellent cooperation with Turkish chambers of commerce," said Saveljić.

President of the Chamber of Commerce of Körfez pointed out developed historical and cultural bonds our countries shared.

"We should use this stable interstate cooperation in order to reinforce business cooperation," said Öztürk.

He acquainted his interlocutors with the region he comes from. It is one of the most developed regions in Turkey and it has 160.000 inhabitants.

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

28 September 2019 - After attending the opening of the general debate of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović met with Koen Davidse, executive director of the Dutch constituency at the World Bank.

President Đukanović emphasized the importance of overall cooperation with the World Bank, including credit support from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), as part of the World Bank. He also pointed out that the priorities of the World Bank were in line with the priorities of Montenegro's economic policy, strengthening fiscal stability and raising the level of competitiveness and creating new jobs, reported his Office.

The Executive Director at the World Bank expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity to meet with the President and become more familiar with the vision of development in Montenegro. He positively assessed the processes in Montenegro in terms of growth and fiscal stabilization and expressed interest in cooperation in youth employment, private sector and sustainability projects. He also praised the balance Montenegro is making between progress and the sustainability of the economy.

The interlocutors agreed that the integration of the region is the best framework for its development, especially in the context of the need to adopt new knowledge and European standards in overcoming trade barriers in the region.

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

28 September 2019 - The United States Embassy in Montenegro confirmed yesterday that U.S. Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, will visit Montenegro. From October 1 to 6, Pompeo will travel to Montenegro, Italy, the Holy See, North Macedonia, and Greece.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, announced that Pompeo would take part in the U.S. and Holy See Symposium on Partnering with Faith-Based Organizations, where he will deliver keynote remarks.  He will have a private audience with His Holiness Pope Francis, and meet with Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Gallagher.

In Rome, Italy, the Secretary will meet with President Mattarella, Prime Minister Conte, and Foreign Minister Di Maio. He will also visit Abruzzo to tour his ancestral home.

The Secretary will then travel to Montenegro, where he will meet with President Đukanović, Prime Minister Duško Marković, and Foreign Minister Darmanović. It will be the first official visit of a U.S. Secretary of State to Montenegro since the restoration of its state independence in 2006, reports Aljazeera. Pompeo, one of U.S. President Donald Trump's closest associates, will emphasize the importance of partnership and alliance between the two countries in NATO, a senior State Department official said at a press briefing on Pompeo's European tour, which was held on the sidelines of a United Nations General Assembly session.

Pompeo will also emphasize NATO's openness to new members and the contribution Montenegro has made as a small country to the Alliance in terms of geographical location and entry to the Adriatic Sea.

Asked by Voice of America about the significance and timing of the visit, the official said Montenegro was an important ally and that "the secretary of state is looking forward to the historic opportunity to visit it."

A senior State Department official said the U.S. remains highly engaged and focused on the Western Balkans region, which is strategically important to Europe's vision of being united, free and at peace, which is confirmed with the Secretary of State's decision to appoint a Special Representative for the Balkans, Matthew Palmer.

After his visit to Montenegro, Secretary will travel to North Macedonia, where he will meet with President Pendarovski, Prime Minister Zaev, and other government officials. The Secretary will also tour the Holy Mother of God “Peribleptos” monastery complex while visiting Lake Ohrid.

Finally, the Secretary will travel to Athens, Greece, where he will meet with Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Foreign Minister Dendias, and Defense Minister Panagiotopoulos.