September 10, 2020 - Montenegro urgently needs a modern fishing port, according to the Institute of Marine Biology (IBMK) Director, Dr. Aleksandar Joksimović. He emphasizes that Montenegro's current situation is such that our fishermen, unfortunately, do not have fishing ports specifically for their use, but use berths in other ports or marinas along the coast.

Joksimović highlighted that the public debate on the construction of a port on Rt Đerani near Ulcinj, with a capacity of 50 fishing vessels, worth tens of millions of euros and financed by the World Bank within the MIDAS 2 project, will last until September 23.

"What fishers currently have at their disposal is not enough for them, so it is administratively and financially complicated. Therefore, this project, which we have been talking about for a long time in Montenegro, is gaining in importance every day," Joksimović said for Radio Kotor, adding that the fishing port will be a real tourist attraction.

The goal is to improve the competitiveness of fisheries in Montenegro by increasing state support in compliance with EU accession requirements. The project's value is 30 million euros, and construction is expected to last until June 2023. Eight years ago, the construction of a fishing port was planned in Njivice, but it was abandoned.

Joksimović recalled that the University of Montenegro's Faculty of Maritime Studies in Kotor, in cooperation with the Institute of Biology, will be coordinating a regional project called "Development of a Regional Joint Master Program in Maritime Environmental Protection and Management."

The project includes such national partners as the Agency for Nature and Environmental Protection of Montenegro and the NGO Eco Center Delfin alongside partner universities from EU countries in Ljubljana, Cadiz, and the Cote d'Azur University in Nice. The total project budget is 845,188 euros.

Mugoša: Almost 30 percent of the tested patients are COVID-19 positive

Montenegro has the most active COVID-19 cases in the region

September 9, 2020 - The leaders of the three opposition coalitions, which won a majority in the August 30th parliamentary elections, presented today the Agreement on the principles on which the future government will rest, including cooperation with NATO, unquestionable recognition of Kosovo, and excluding changes to Montenegrin state symbols. 

•     will responsibly implement all international obligations undertaken by the state, strengthen cooperation with NATO and commit to implementing all reforms necessary for Montenegro's full membership in the European Union;
•     fully depoliticize key government institutions in an uncompromising fight against organized crime and corruption;
•     respect the Constitution of Montenegro and will not launch initiatives to change the state flag, coat of arms, and anthem;
•     will not initiate proceedings to withdraw recognition of Kosovo's independence;
•     will not retaliate on political or any other grounds;
•     will adopt and revise all laws in line with European standards, to integrate Montenegro into the EU as soon as possible,
•     will allow minority parties to participate in government, whether they have parliamentary status or not.

September 8, 2020 - Since the last section, the Institute of Public Health has completed PCR analysis of 839 samples for the new coronavirus, among which 216 new cases of COVID-19 infection have been registered. Three COVID-19 patients have died in the last 24 hours, and 40 have recovered. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in Montenegro is currently 1451.

The number of new COVID-19 cases per municipality:

Podgorica 73, Nikšić 43, Berane 40, Bijelo Polje 22, Rožaje 13, Pljevlja 8, Budva 4, Mojkovac and Herceg Novi 3 each, Bar and Cetinje 2 each, Gusinje, Andrijevica and Tivat, one new case of COVID-19 infection each.

Since the last section, three deaths have been reported of COVID-19 patients from Gusinje, Tivat, and Pljevlja, born in 1959 (2) and 1948, treated at the General Hospital in Berane and the General Hospital "Blažo Jokov Orlandić" in Bar.

Since the beginning of June, the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 infection is 103. Since the beginning of the first wave of the epidemic in mid-March - 112.

Since the beginning of the year, the total number of registered infection cases with the new coronavirus is 5875.

The Clinical Center of Montenegro is treating 21 patients with COVID-19 infection, the health institution announced. "Three patients are in a life-threatening condition and are connected to non-invasive ventilation," the Clinical Centre said.

The General Hospital in Berane is treating 32 patients who are positive for coronavirus; it was announced today. "Seven patients have a severe clinical picture. Four patients are on non-invasive ventilation," the statement read.

Abdic is the new head of the Crisis Medical Staff fighting the COVID-19 epidemic

The new Head of the Crisis Medical Staff, which deals with the organization of the health system during the COVID-19 epidemic, after yesterday's resignations, will be Nermin Abdić, the current Director of the Emergency Center of the Clinical Center.

Resignations were submitted by the Head of the Crisis Medical Staff, Dr. Ranko Lazović, and a member, Dr. Nemanja Radojević, for differing reasons.

Radojevic said that he does not enter into deliberations over the motives for people's behavior as that would go beyond the medical profession and scientific scope, and especially the humanistic approach of medicine, which is that the only medical goal is human health.

"I am dedicated to that goal, but given the current circumstances, I understand that I cannot achieve my aims, and today I have resigned from the membership of the Crisis Medical Staff of NKT," said Radojevic.

Former boss Ranko Lazović told "Vijesti" that his management of that body, founded by NKT, was already pre-term until September 1.

Lazović said that in friendly circumstances he repeated to Simović that he was leaving his position due to his professional obligations at the Faculty of Medicine and the Medical Center. "My resignation from the position of Head of the Crisis Medical Staff has nothing to do with the election result. I will remind you that after the DPS and coalition partners' election victory in 2016, I resigned from the position of Director of the Clinical Center. I am indeed a member of the Main Board of the DPS, and will remain so," he told Vijesti. 

Members of the body, Ivan Vukovic, and Predrag Boskovic, were present at "patriotic rallies" held on Thursday and Sunday, in which NKT measures were violated.

The measures were also violated at rallies celebrating the election victory of the opposition.

The NKT did not answer questions yesterday as to why they did not warn of the epidemiological risk caused by the gathering held on Sunday night, as they had done for previous mass-meetings.

Radojevic said yesterday that 126 patients were hospitalized in Montenegro, seven of whom were on mechanical ventilation.

Stress is a fact of life, but has become all the more part of our days since COVID struck. I spoke to Anastasia Dorosh, massage therapist, about her love for Montenegro, and the stress-busting benefits of massage.

Tell us a bit about yourself. What brought you to Montenegro?

 I’m a massage therapist and have been living in Montenegro for six years.  It's funny, but before moving to Montenegro I didn't know anything about the country. A move from Ukraine to live in Montenegro wasn't part of my plan at all. I first came to Montenegro, as I say, 6 years ago, for seasonal work in a hotel, and my employer offered to extend my stay to a full year. For the first two years I was still considering a move to another country, but I started to get used to the Montenegrin lifestyle and local mentality. And now I can't imagine myself anywhere else.

What do you like most about where you live, and about Montenegro in general?

First of all, I am in love with the natural beauty of Montenegro, really the Montenegrin landscapes are amazing.  I love travelling and discovering the country.

But the main reason I’m happy in Montenegro is my new lifestyle. The rhythm of my life has changed a lot here. I was born and lived 23 years in a capital  city, and I became really tired of big city life. I always dreamed of living in a small cozy town with a sea view. And I found this perfect place in Montenegro - Tivat. As is the case for many other people, I wanted to be self-employed, and here I successfully achieved my goal. And here I also met my husband, he also moved to Montenegro from another country.

How did your massage therapy business come about? Where did you train and where have you worked previously?

 I loved doing massage from my childhood, I often gave massages to my family and I really liked it. I took my first steps into massage training in 2011 at the Medical Centre «Alternative medicine» in Kiev, where I completed a programme «Health massage with bases of anatomy». The same year I began to practice in a spa that was owned by the biggest hotel chain in Greece. Then I began working as a massage therapist in a Spa at a Greek 5 star resort hotel, and was there for three seasons.

My first two years in Montenegro I worked in the hotel industry. I dreamed of returning to the massage sphere, but I was sure that there would be plenty of massage therapists in such a small town as Tivat. I was very surprised, and of course very pleased, when I was offered a massage partnership with a major resort here. Later I registered my own company as a private entrepreneur. Now I have my own customer base as well.

I regularly develop my massage skills to improve as a professional. As some of my clients were asking me about anticellulite massage, I decided to attend a master class in anticellulite massage techniques. In 2018 I went to Thailand to study Traditional Thai Massage. In 2019 I completed a course in facial massage in Kiev.

Where do you usually work? Do you have your own premises, or are you mobile?

Really, I am very flexible in my business. There is a cozy massage room at the resort, and I also do massage in my own home. I can come to a client's place, and I’ve also had experience of doing massage on yachts. This year also I started to do massage at a hotel spa, for their hotel guests.

 Do you have a particular massage therapy you specialize in, or that you enjoy practising most?

I like to combine different massage techniques to achieve better results. I do various types of massage, such as classical, Thai, anticellulite, face massage. Depending on the client's problems and requirements I try to find the best combination for each case individually.

 Describe your work routine, in non-COVID times.

Usually I am very busy in high season (from April to October). Normally I have all types of clients in this period: tourists, yacht crew, foreigners who own real estate here. In high season clients have to book appointments in advance, if they plan to have a full massage course during their stay in Montenegro.

 How have you managed to adapt your work to the pandemic?

I can't say that my working routine has changed a lot. As in my sphere hygiene standards must always be followed, I continue to follow them as I always have. I always use clean towels for each client; wash my hands before and after the procedure and ask about the client's health before and after the massage. One addition is that I have started to use hand disinfectant as well. If you come for a massage at the resort, the administrator will check your temperature too.

 How do you see your work developing and evolving in the next few months?

Unfortunately I have fewer clients this year because of COVID. To attract new clients I’ve started special offers with lower prices for the COVID period. This idea has been quite successful; I now have new clients, people who are living in Montenegro. My plan is to continue to work with special prices until the pandemic ends. 

What does your business have to offer people in the current climate, in terms of the importance of wellness in general?

Because of Covid many people have started to work online, and this has led to different physical health problems, especially in the neck and back area, as people have to sit more. School pupils have the same problem, and after quarantine I’ve seen more teenagers than usual.  I believe that massage helps people not only physically, but also influences general well-being.  Massage has a positive influence on the immune system and on the metabolism, as well. It’s a great anti-stress therapy, and that’s what lots of people really need now. 

 Sounds great! And how do we access this wonderful, stress-busting therapy?!

The best way to contact me is to text me on Viber or Whatsapp +38268744861.

The epidemiological situation in Montenegro is becoming more complicated

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