25 June 2019 - British Lord Howe, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Minister of State for Defence, is currently on an official two-day visit to Podgorica, Montenegro. During the visit, Lord Howe will meet with Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković and officials of the Ministry of Defence, says the statement from the British Embassy in Montenegro.

Lord Howe, who is a Conservative member of the House of Lords and its Deputy Leader, supports the House of Lords in its job of improving legislation and debating topics of national significance. As the Minister of State for Defence, the lord is the Spokesman in the House of Lords on defence matters, including EU relations, which is why Lord Howe’s visit is of great importance for the improvement of the relations between UK and Montenegro.

During the visit of the British lord, two combat aircraft of the type Eurofighter Typhoon will also come to Podgorica. The aircraft will be stationed at the airport Knjaz Danilo in Golubovci. Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft providing simultaneously deployable Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface capabilities. With units operating worldwide, the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet completed over 500,000 flying hours with unparalleled operational statistics from Europe to the South Atlantic and the Middle East, and the UK is a key member of the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium.

The visit of Lord Howe and the combat aircraft is another example of successful cooperation between the United Kingdom and Montenegro.

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

Exercise ADRION LIVEX 19, which is held this year in Montenegro, is another confirmation that NATO allies are working closely, said the Defense Minister Predrag Boskovic. On Tuesday he visited the Croatian coast guard boat OB-31 “Omis” in the Port Bar, together with the Brigadier General of the Army of Montenegro Dragutin Dakic, Commander of the Navy of the Army of Montenegro, Captain Vesko Tomanovic and the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Montenegro, Veselko Grubisic, which participates in the international Maritime Exercise ADRION LIVEX 19.

Boskovic said that this international naval exercise, which will last until June 27, shows the rightness of Montenegro's decision to enter NATO.

"What Montenegro did in 2017 is certainly one of the most successful moves to ensure complete security of citizens and property," Boskovic said.

"During demonstration rehearsals, which was conducted at the aquarium Bar, the commander of the ship, lieutenant of the battleship Ante Silic, presented the possibilities of "Omis", which was built in the shipyard Split half a year ago," the Ministry of Defense said.

There was also a presentation of a boat launch and boarding, with the ship’s crew.

"It was a very useful visit. We learned the common security priorities when the Adriatic Sea is in question, and how can we jointly use forces to prevent any threat to the security in the Adriatic Sea's waters,"Boskovic said.

He said that for this type of vessel there is interest on our side, and that in the following years it may become part of our armed forces.

"But the visit was also used to see what are the capabilities of other naval vessels of countries participating in the rehearsal, Greece, Italy, Albania and Slovenia," emphasized Minister Boskovic, who was welcomed by the commanding officers of all the ships participating in the exercise at the port.

Six members of the Adrion Initiative are participating in the exercise: Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, and Montenegro.

Text by Vijesti online, on June 24th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

Summer is the season of great Mediterranean festivals in Italy, where the experience of organizing folk events can be beneficial for designing and enriching the Montenegrin tourist product. This is claimed by Danijela Djurdjevic, born in Bar, who has been living and working in the Apennines for nearly two decades. She is the founder and president of the Italian-Montenegrin Friendship Association "Italy-Montenegro Regina Elena", and has recently been given a great honor at the feast in Perugia, a town where she lives with her family. In the colorful and playful manifestation of the "Perugia 1416" event, Danijela was the first Montenegrin and the only foreigner this year who was invited to be one of 400 participants in the costume parade.

Through the promenade in Perugia's center that was filled with thousands and thousands of tourists from all sides, she wandered in a gorgeous Renaissance costume that weighed roughly 25 kilograms and is worth over three thousand euros.

"The jealousy of Italians preserve their tradition, so I truly feel a great honor that the organizers have invited me to be part of this spectacle, even though I come from another country, behind which this year is the chairman of the organizing committee Teresa Severini and the patron Mayor of Perugia Andrea Romizi," she said.

The three-day feast is an important part of Italy's extremely significant historical period, a transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and authentically it represents the historical figures of that era, such as Bracio Fortebraci di Montone, and besides the parade of costumes from that period, includes the performances of musicians, archery competitions, traditional cuisine. Every detail was given a great deal of attention because they were all judged by the strict members of the expert commission," Djurdjevic said.

As a sign of friendship towards Montenegro and respect for Queen Jelena Savoy, who is still loved by the Italians as Regina Elena, the organizers gave to Danijela, as the president of the Association, the role of one of the four honorable ladies of the four most respected families who founded Perugia, the Kornia family.

"Every other participant in the parade had their historical role in commemorating the event of 600 years ago. This historical event that describes and preserves the identity and history of a nation is only one of those kinds in Italy and far-known, such as Palio di Siena, Ceri di Gubio. From them, Montenegro can learn to valorize what we have, and we had a king, princesses of which two were married to European sovereigns, we have gorgeous costumes, traditional cuisine, influence from all sides. In addition to the existing ones, Montenegro could pay attention to the development of the new events that would be very beautiful and through the popular approach to history, very appealing to tourists."

Text by Radomir Petric, on June 24th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

Entry to 19 faculties of the University of Montenegro begins on Wednesday. The papers are submitted to the faculties then and on Thursday. This year, UCG has offered 3,486 free indexes.

Candidates are obliged to submit more documents along with the application for registration:

"Original diploma on passing an external graduation exam or a professional one; original testimonies of completed individual grades of secondary education; a diploma 'Luca' or an equivalent diploma; a diploma (or equivalent document) about the first or second prize won at a national or international competition in subjects that are of importance for continuance of the education," said the University.

Among the required documentation is a copy of the biometric ID card and for foreigners the corresponding ID card. A foreigner also submits evidence of their language knowledge, except when he has completed high school in one of the languages ​​that are in official use in Montenegro.

At its last session, the government approved the proposal for enrollment in the first year of study, which was previously determined by the University Management Board.

The largest number of places at the state university was offered by the Faculty of Economics - 390 places.

From that number, 240 will study economics, 100 management in Podgorica, and another 50 in Bijelo Polje.

More than 300 places were offered by Philosophy (355), Electrotechnical studies (330) and the Faculty of Philosophy (315).

Between 200 and 300 students will enroll in three faculties - Maritime 260, Law 260 - with 240 in Podgorica and 20 in Bijelo polje, while at Faculty of Natural Sciences, there are places for 230 freshmen.

The Faculty of Medicine has 185 places, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering 180, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality 180, the Faculty of Biotechnology 155, the Faculty of Political Science 140, the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education 120, the Faculty of Metallurgy 115 and the Faculty of Civil Engineering 110.

Fifty students this study year will study the Faculty of Architecture, 10 less at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Academy of Music 36, and Faculty of Drama Art 35. The Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature at Cetinje offers 40 places.

Text by Milos Rudovic, on June 25th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

In yet another attempt to choose a brand for the plum rakija from Moraca, the residents of Donja Moraca will begin a producers' association for this special alcoholic beverage.

The founding of the association is also one of the priorities in Kolasin's local government when it comes to stimulating measures for agriculturalists. "The energy of joint ventures is what Kolasin agriculture needs. Even the most organized and productive agricultural producers in the area of ​​our municipality are not able to have high-quality, independent presentations on the market. The first steps were taken, so with a lot of ambition, we accepted the initiative from Donja Moraca to start the formation of an association of local rakija producers. For this purpose, we have also allocated €10,000," explains the president of the Municipality, Milosav Bulatovic.  

The formation of the association, he says, would also create opportunities for "raising the quality of homemade rakija, as well as providing necessary certificates for the market entry". The association will "set regulations and standards that will transform this local tradition of homemade rakija into certified packs ready for foreign markets". In Donja Moraca, they believe that their "plum rakija" should have made great success in the domestic market in the region, but also on the broader area.

Attempts have waned at the very end of the process. One of the rakija producers, Momo Rakocevic from the village Prekobrdje, recalls that ten years ago they were closest to branding the rakija.

"Through the project dedicated to organic production, assisted by experts from Germany and Switzerland. They also offered 7,000 euros as a donation, the rest of the money needed to be provided by the producers themselves. This was not cheap, and they could not hope for any help from the local or state level."

In the production of this beverage, he claims, the situation is now without much control. Prices are formed by each producer individually, and he also chooses the mode of production. The price for one liter of rakija from Moraca is 8 to 10 euros.

"That is, if it is produced traditionally, with much effort and from the qualitative plums. Unfortunately, some hosts neglect all these criteria, so they sell it to cafes for two to three euros per liter. Due to the specific climate and land, plums in Moraca are of special quality, and alcoholic beverages also have specificities that cannot be achieved in other parts of the state or region."

For a liter of this beverage, 8 to 10 kilograms of ripe fruit are needed. The Germans and Swiss who helped the rakija be legally and better positioned on the market a decade ago did not find a disadvantage in the traditional way of production. In those years, according to estimates by foreign experts, about 20 households fully met high ecological standards. 

"I do not doubt it would be the same now. We have no reason to fear the European Union (EU) standard. I would say that someone wants to impose an attitude that it is difficult to follow these demands. I know that dozens of households in this area can make their production according to the highest European standards. We just need the wind in our back from the competent institutions, advice and facilitation procedures. In addition to being the pride of Donja Moraca, that rakija could become the state one, in a very easy way and in a very short time."

Rakocevic says he is aware that it will not be easy to reconcile in detail the traditional way of production and contemporary standards.

"First of all, the strength of the “plum rakija” should not exceed 38 to 40 “degrees”. Now, unfortunately, a much stronger rakija is produced, which greatly influences the aroma and loses some of its specific features. There must not be any additional sugar in either rakija because it is simply a tradition. “Sugar rakija” is when some people add sugar at the end of production. It produces more rakija, but it causes headache.

He explains that, before it reaches the market, "plum rakija" should age for at least one year. It is also necessary to boil it a dozen times.

Text by Dragana Scepanovic, on June 23rd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

The oldest Montenegrin brewery, "Trebjesa", recently launched a new product, the Niksic IPA Beer. After the presentation in Niksic, the youngest member of Niksic family was presented to the partners and friends in Podgorica, who enjoyed the new beer and a brilliant performance by one of the most popular regional bands, Elemental.

The Niksic IPA is one of the company's most important innovations this year. For the first time since its beginnings, the brewery produced the first ale beer. Ale beers are distinguished by the use of different yeasts, yeast brewing, and the addition of larger quantities of hops, having a distinctive aroma, but also a different, darker color compared to a lager beer.

"Our IPA has three types of aromatic hops, and the whole team of experts from the brewery worked on the development of the first ale beer from Trebjesa. In total, the product development and the entire creative concept of the Niksic IPA beer lasted about a year and a half. That is why we are particularly proud of the result we are sharing tonight with all of you. If you like different styles of beer, Niksic IPA is something you have to try," said Jelena Pavicevic, marketing manager at the brewery.

The Niksic IPA beer is full of aromas of hops, tropical fruits, and pine needles, and the first comments by consumers are that it is an extremely filtered, drinkable IPA beer. "By making the Niksic IPA, we respond to the wishes of our consumers and broaden the beer category in Montenegro. Nevertheless, as a brewery which has built the story of brewing in Montenegro for more than a century, we do not forget what is at the heart of everything we do - quality," Pavicevic said.

IPA is an abbreviation for India Pale Ale, a sub-type of beer, made by the British in the 18th century and is today one of the most popular ale beers around the world.

The Niksic IPA is available in glass bottles 0,33l and cans 0,5l. For those who prefer draft beers - Niksic IPA beer can be ordered at bars.

In addition to the IPA, the family of beers produced at "Trebjesa" includes Niksic original, Niksic Dark, Niksic Gold, Niksic Unfiltered and Niksic Cool.

Text by Promo, on June 24th ,2019, read more at Vijesti

Another new airline has started operations to Montenegro, which is the largest regional flight company from Norway - Wilderoe Airlines.

This airline landed its first flight the regular route between Oslo and Tivat, bringing around 100 Norwegian tourists to the Montenegrin coast. The flight was greeted at the airport with the traditional water cannons. 

Interestingly, this was the first arrival in Montenegro of a new type of aircraft - the newest so-called E2 generation of the regional jet Embraer E-190. Wilderoe Airlines is the world's first buyer of the aircraft, as it operated with Brazil’s airplane manufacturer Embraer in the spring when the E2 generation production started.

At Tivat Airport, some 42 airplanes landed on Sunday on regular and charter lines from Germany, Russia, Serbia, France, Norway, Denmark, Ukraine, UK and Sweden.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on June 23rd, 2019, read more at Vijesti