18 June 2019 - The Government of Montenegro fully supports the planned further strategic steps of the University of Montenegro to improve the quality of studying and positioning of the University as well as to improve the material status and professional status of teaching and non-teaching staff, as noted during the meeting between representatives of the Government of Montenegro and the University of Montenegro leadership.

Rector of the facility Prof. Dr. Danilo Nikolić, President of the Steering Committee of the University of Montenegro Prof. Dr. Duško Bjelica and Vice-Rector for Science and Research Prof. Dr. Irena Orović presented the results of the previous development and activities that include improving the teaching process and significantly improving the position of the University of Montenegro in international scientific circles and scientific publications as well as the complete financial stabilisation of this facility.

Representatives of the Government of Montenegro expressed full support to the activities of the University of Montenegro in the development of the first University of Montenegro Development Strategy 2019-2024. This umbrella document includes, among other things, the development of e-learning systems, the formation of study programmes in English, the launch of interdisciplinary studies programmes, systematic training of teaching staff, and the strengthening of cooperation with the economy and the public sector.

"I am glad to see that you have a vision of the development of the University that you will transfer to the Strategy. It is a new quality, and I welcome it. I also welcome ideas for improving the material status of employees. You have my support in this," as noted in the report of the public relations service of the Government of Montenegro.

The meeting noted that the Government and the University see a common interest in improving systemic solutions related to the financing of scientific work and scientific-research projects to reach the European average of state allocation for scientific-research projects.

Representatives of the Government of Montenegro and the leadership of the University of Montenegro agreed to jointly address the needs of higher education in the Northern Region. Following the Government's policy of development of the North and the fact that a large number of development projects are being implemented in our region, the need for opening special programmes for the higher education of profiles required in infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and other areas is shown.

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18 June 2019 - The Government of Montenegro will strive to provide better conditions for talented students and their teachers and put creativity and innovative ideas into action, making the education system compatible with the needs of the economy of the 21st century, said Prime Minister Duško Marković at a meeting with Ambassador of the United Kingdom Alison Kemp and Director of the British Council Vanja Madžgalj.

The meeting discussed the British Council's project "School for the 21st Century", in which 4,000 microcomputers will be donated to all elementary schools in Montenegro to help learn programming, but also to develop critical thinking and problem solving and encourage creativity. The project is regional, covering six countries in the Western Balkans and is worth  £10 million.

"There is no progress if we fail to make the education system compatible with the needs of development. We need to allow the talented people to contribute to the development of the country and help transform our economy into the digital economy of the 21st century," PM Marković pointed out in the report for the Prime Minister's Office.

He thanked the UK Government for its support through this and many other projects, noting that this is a confirmation of the partnership and friendship between the two countries.

The meeting also discussed ways in which the Government of Montenegro can help ensure the sustainability of this project and provide talented students with the opportunity to improve and acquire specialised knowledge and skills. Teacher training was assessed as extremely important and both sides agreed that it is significant to find a way to set up a specific centre for the development of innovations for young people.

On this occasion, students of the Elementary School "Vuk Karadžić" from Berane, Miro Marjanović and Milo Šekularac, as well as their IT teacher Milun Čukić, presented to Prime Minister Marković the "Automated greenhouse operated by micro: bit computer", which was created in the first phase of the "Schools for the 21 Century" project. 

"It is a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to welcome you and see your project. Congratulations on the results achieved," said Prime Minister Marković, stressing that they and other young talented students and their teachers are the future of Montenegro.

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18 June 2019 - The Adoption of the decisions on administrative fees and local public utility fees, which stipulate reduction in fees, will reduce the revenue of the Capital by almost 500.000 EUR, said Miomir Jakšić, secretary for finance.

“The basis for the introduction of a local public utility fee is public area occupancy. This decision is going to have more repercussions. In my opinion, annual revenues will be 250.000 – 300.000 EUR lower,” said Jakšić.

Indoor garden space occupancy has had the highest reduction. One square meter of space now costs 15 EUR. One square meter of an outdoor garden will cost 14 EUR now, as reported by the Cafe del Montenegro

Jakšić said that all administrative fees had been reduced too.

“Almost 70 types of administrative fees have been reduced. This will mean lower revenues for the Capital,” explained Jakšić.

Dejan Stanišić, owner of “Mona Liza”, is satisfied with the reduction in local public utility fees.

“I could not believe it. I wasn’t sure if it was just a journalist trick or a genuine good intention of the Capital. I was pleasantly surprised,” stated Stanišić.

Stanišić also commented on the Law on Public Utility Activities that prohibits setting up boards on infrastructure facilities and said that this law is nonsense.

"You can find that everywhere around the world. This is the way of forbidding our company to earn money. Representatives of the Ministry of Tourism told us that the existing boards had to be removed. I am wondering now what would happen if we terminated the contract with the companies that are being advertised. We would be sued and our company would meet the expenses for removing the existing billboards,” concluded Jakšić.

Podgorica and the councilors of the Capital City Assembly also adopted the new Decision on working hours for discos and nightclubs in this city which states that if they are in a residential building, they will work in the future from 10 PM until midnight.

Similarly, with the new bill of laws adopted by the Government of Montenegro, smoking will be completely banned in closed public and working areas, and in the future, it will not be possible to pay taxes in order to allow smoking in some parts of the facility.

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

Disco and nightclubs in Podgorica, if they are in a residential building, will work in the future from 10 p.m. until midnight.

This is foreseen by the new Decision on working hours, adopted by the councilors of the Capital City Assembly last week.

It is well-known that a disco club and a nightclub located in a commercial building can work from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.

The developer of the plan did not support the suggestion of increasing the upper limit of the catering facilities in residential buildings until 1 a.m., because as explained, almost no facility has adequate sound isolation, which should be provided during the construction of buildings, which is not the case in reality, due to the fact that business premises are not being built for a specific purpose.

They state that no facility has built-in sound limiters on the devices from which the music is being broadcasted, and that the rule on the noise limit values ​​should only start to be applied.

As foreseen, the catering facility located in a commercial object and premises where mainly other activities are carried out (at the airport, bus and railway station, petrol station and shopping center) works in accordance with the working time of the facility in which it is located.

A fine of 150 to 10,000 euros shall be imposed on a company for a misdemeanor if he or she does not have a certified decision on working times in the premises, does not work during the working times determined by a decision on a schedule or at a specific time.

The communal inspector performs the inspection supervision over the execution of the decision, while communal officer supervision and the provision of the communal order in the field of controlling working times is performed by the municipal police officer.

The decision stipulates that the Tourist Organization of Podgorica shall work every day from 8 a.m. t 8 p.m. and in the summer season also on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Working hours longer than regulated, upon request by a business entity, a fast food facility located in a residential and residential-commercial building can be temporarily approved for up to three hours.

Extended working hours, up to three hours, may be granted to a discotheque and a nightclub within a family residential building, and up to two hours for catering facilities located within a residential or residential-business building with a maximum of fifteen residential units, with a submitted real estate list and the written consent of tenants certified by the notary.

Text by Borko Zdero, on June 18th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

For capital investment projects, the Plan for Capital Investments of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje from  2019-2021, which is part of the strategic plan of projects from 2017-2021, foresees a total investment of 87.259.750 euros, said Municipality Manager Fahrudin Begovic.

He said this today at a central public hearing on the Draft Plan for Capital Investments of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje 2019-2021, held in the assembly hall.

"The Capital Investment Plan draft also includes projects planned within the program for the area planning of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje for this year, which will spend 21.135.981 euros," Begovic said.

The projects include: relocating the city water supply system Rakonje - Ribarevine due to the reconstruction of the main road (150,000 euro), reconstructing the main road of Rakonja (traffic lights) - Ribarevine in length 3.1 kilometers (2.800.000 euro), reconstructing the main road at Dobrakovo border crossing (2.200.000 euros), continuing the reconstruction of Bjelasica (4,100,000 euro), Djalovic Cave (3,540,000 euro), reconstructing the Srdjevac-Susica local road in the length of 18 kilometers (2,400,000 euro), constructing a wastewater treatment plant (1,169. 834 euros) and other projects.

He reminded that the President of the Municipality, Petar Smolovic, had earlier appointed a coordination team, who made a draft capital investment plan for the municipality from 2019-2021.

Text by Jadranka Cetkovic, on June 18th 2019, read more at Vijesti

More than a hundred competitors, of which 88 were from Montenegro, participated on Sunday in the sixth Podgorica triathlon, Plavnica 2019.

The Triathlon was held in the organization of the Triathlon Club of Podgorica, and in cooperation with the Municipality of Golubovci, the Secretariat for Culture and Sports of the Capital City in Plavnica.

"The competition was attended by 103 competitors, of whom 88 (64 in the individual competitions and 24 in the relay race) were from Montenegro, which is certainly one of the most important indicators of growing popularity and affirmation of the triathlon sport in Montenegro," the organizers said, adding it is just one of the basic goals of the Triathlon Club Podgorica.

They particularly emphasized the participation of the youngest contestants, Pavel Pascua and Andrej Vlada.

The Podgorica triathlon is, as they add, already known for international character and hosted competitors from Belgium, Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, USA, Albania and Romania.

"Of course, this year we had participants, and their fans, from various Montenegrin, triathlon, bicycle and athletic clubs, handball, water polo, racing, karate and many others," he said.

This year's edition of Podgorica Triathlon was marked with a bit higher temperature, which suited the contestants in the water, but still, in the race, many felt the best atmosphere of the Podgorica Triathlon so far.

"The greatest attention is drawn to the Olympic distance (1500 meters of swimming, 40 kilometers of biking and 10 kilometers of running), which was won by Jaksa Diklic from Croatia with time 02: 08: 01h. After him, Luka Cupić from TK Herceg Novi and Djuro Mileusnic, from the same team as the winner - TK Dubrovnik. In the women's competition the fastest was Jelena Tomasevic from TK X Herceg Novi, with a time of 02: 30: 29h, while the second and third place was won by the competitors from TK Split Tamara Carevic and Aleksandra Tot from TK Kotor," the statement said.

The champion title for Montenegro in this discipline was won by Jelena Tomasevic and Luka Cupic, while on the podium was also Aleksandra Tot in the women's, and Mladen Ilic (TK Kotor) and Marko Butulija (TK X Herceg Novi) in the men's competition.

"In the Sprint Triathlon discipline (750m swimming, 20km of biking and 5km run), Nikola Pavlovic and Milica Purlija, both members of TK Podgorica, were the first to go through the finish line. The second and third places were won by Goran Danicic (TK X Herceg Novi) and Sean Lepouttre respectively, in the men’s, and Andjela Delibasic (BK Budućnost) and Marija Bosnjak (TK X Herceg Novi) in the women's competition.

In the relay race, the first place was won by the team "The Matadors" from Montenegro, "Carević Team" from Croatia took silver, and the third place took the RRM group from Montenegro.

Text by Vijesti online, on June 18th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

Two brothers, two visual poetics, two worlds, are together for the first time in one place, in Bar - the artists Zdravko and Zoran Krulj from Podgorica exhibited their works together, at the Castle of King Nicholas where the public can see them for the next ten days. Zdravko exhibited paintings produced in the cycle “Krug” (Circle), Zoran his works from the cycle "Oridjinali": and the paintings and authors have their own peculiar and unusual stories.

Zoran Krulj, who has hitherto exhibited in Montenegro only in Herceg Novi, has depicted part of his creative microcosm, whose heroes are his closest members of the family. Each of them on these small-format covers proudly wears their wrinkles and years - Zoran did not put any make-up on them.

"There are no art cosmetics, they are all the people I'm connected to, and I know them well, and there was no problem to paint them because I know them from cheerful and all other situations. The Mediterranean, in my opinion, is cheerful by itself because it has a lot of sunshine, and I always link it to that sunny side of life. I try to make all the people around me look positive, and those who look at my paintings to leave my exhibition with a smile," says Zoran. The Mediterranean radiates from these paintings, and in the palette of applied colors and in the art story that Zoran has been insisting on from the very beginning. And at the first and second impression of the observer, these are the works that have Fellini’s charm. "What is the world I paint? Well, just like that – like Fellini’s, the world of the ordinary man in the Mediterranean. My heroes on paintings, I always put one medal of their shirts, because that average man deserves it with his way of life, relaxed and positive opinions, even though he does not live in good conditions or a rich country. Regardless of all these hardships, he remains smiling and deserves it," continues Zoran. In addition to the medal, his sailors are adorned with a mustache, as a pattern.

"My view of boat trips and, in general, sailors, was always associated with a sailor who wears a navy cap and a mustache! I cannot imagine a captain and a sailor otherwise. For all of my characters, including myself, I make a mustache, and I often draw a pipe, because it's their characteristic, to complete the image, a mustache is like the stamp of the sailor," Zoran continues.

Boka is the central motif in his paintings, with direct references to the master Vojo Stanic, for whom Zoran cherishes publicly. In a commentary on his relationship with the old master, Zoran tells her that he has been linked to Herceg Novi since he was five-years-old and that he was a cartoonist as a child, and as a high school student he drew comic books, and when he first tried to paint a cartoon, "it turned into a painting ".

"Simply, I asked my brother to take me to the Academy to show my paintings to a professor. Professor Karadzic, as soon as he saw them, said, "This is like Vojo made them." I was then a footballer; I played for "Buducnost" and I had no idea then who Vojo Stanic was. I was interested, went to Budva to visit his exhibition and as soon as I got in, I was blown away. I had the feeling that I painted these pictures! This is a match between the region and the painting style. When I was exhibiting in Herceg Novi in ​​1998, Vojo came, hugged me, praised me in front of everyone and told me, "I want to you to come to my house tomorrow." Since then, we have been close friends, and he is also a model for me of creativity and life. If I learned something from anyone in art, it is Vojo Stanic. I am always at his place, I have the extraordinary honor and pleasure to be able to enter the studio when he is working, and that only a few people can do. There, I have seen the pictures that are in the drawings, those he's started, that he's painted, that is half finished, that are not painted. I always asked him, and he has always answered all my questions and I consider him my teacher. It's been a long time, and our relationship has not changed one bit. People think of him as a genius, and when you go to him and when you listen to him, then you really understand that you are dealing with a real living genius. I am extremely grateful to him," said Zoran Krulj.

The artwork of Zdravko Krulj is different in aesthetics and philosophy, and it can be said that they have a different geographic root. They are in one-way mirrors, but you see only one, very big eye, Zdravko’s thematic “Krug” (“Circle”). 

"I provoke you as spectators, to share your story with me with these my paintings. That famous story of the empty pot says it's the most useful part is the void in which tea is being poured. Such is our eye, the most useful is the pupil that is empty and dark and the light comes into it, and you, observers, are the light that needs to enter and tell your story," says Zdravko.

To the comment that this is the eastern approach to life and painting, Zdravko confirms that it is Zen.

"In the eighties and nineties, I was a member of the famous generation of the karate club "Buducnost", we won all those great medals, and with karate I adopted this philosophy close to Zen, together with my brother, we adopted it in a way close to Balkan life, and I later accepted it in all other spheres, beginning with nutrition," Zdravko continues.

For my work, I say that everything "is concentrated in one", as Professor Gligorijevic said when he came to his studio, "the first thing he thought was that there was something eastern about them".

"It is this concentration in one, life is a cycle from beginning to the end, energy just goes from one form to another, so our creation goes through that circle, from research to realization, and then turns the circle into a spiral, so we go further, our whole life is opening and closing. For a while, I was very active in short films while I was in Macedonia. Since 2001 I have been in Banja Luka and I have been painting, and recently I have returned to the modern video expression, a kind of performance. These paintings are just a fraction of the project called "Krug or Krulj", because that is what is meant in the philosophy of my whole story, that all this repeat, Zdravko concluded.

They had exhibitions in Europe

Zdravko (55), member of ULUCG and ULUBIH, is a graduate of the Academy in Cetinje, and has until now had 20 independent exhibitions in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Zoran (62), member of ULUS and ULUPUDS, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Nis, has been a freelance artist since 2001 and had 36 solo exhibitions in Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Greece and Macedonia.

Text by Radomir Petric, on June 17th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

"Over Boka Bay in the Moonlight" is the name of the event that was held in the vicinity of Kameno in the Herceg Novi hinterland on Sunday evening. Organizers - Agency for Development and Protection of Orjen and MZ Kameno-Zlijebi, united in a single event a night walk, historical stories, gastronomy, and finally a presentation dedicated to the moon and the fantastic creatures of our hinterland. To make the atmosphere complete, at the St. Jovan port, the guests were welcomed by the members of the Knight Society of St. Stefan holding torches in their hands. 

Over 80 guests, divided into 3 smaller groups and guided by representatives of the Development and Protection Agency of Orjen, i.e., the mountaineering club "Subra", first visited three nearby viewpoints under the blaze of the crescent moon, - Tajno brdo, Grucalica and Silobod, looking at the entrance to Boka Kotorska bay. These are also memorial places that visitors bring back to the times of their military use. 

Upon returning to Kameno, the participants tried out the local “priganice”, from Joka’s kitchen, which was made part of the thriller theme of the presentation: "Fantastic creatures of Herceg Novi hinterland, moon and moonlight" prepared by the Agency for Development and Protection of Orjen. The sound was provided by "Cicak akustika". 

"It was once again proved that the close environment of Herceg Novi could also be an attractive stage for various events, and the best confirmation is the attendance of 80 participants, including tourists as well as foreign citizens who enjoyed a variety of programs. Among others, the event was organized by the Tourist Organization of Herceg Novi, which took care of further affirmation of the events through the engagement of foreign bloggers - participants in the 3rd edition of "Over Boka bay in the Moonlight", the organizers said.

Text by Slavica Kosic, on June 17th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

The construction of the secondary school in Golubovci, worth over 4.5 million euros, has been completed, and will operate from September, said the Minister of education Damir Sehovic,

After visiting the school with director of Public works Resad Nuhodzic and president of Municipality Golubovci Tanja Stajovic, he said that it is one of the largest buildings in Montenegro, which is located on a surface of 5.5 thousand square meters and is intended to accommodate 750 students.

"The object consists of four units with 12 classrooms, several laboratories, cabinets and workshops, a library with reading room, rooms for management, teachers and other staff, as well as a gymnasium room of about 480 places," said Sehovic.

This is, as he said, the only secondary school in the territory of Golubovci, which makes it of great importance for the citizens of this municipality.

Sehovic announced that from September onwards, students would be able to attend four-year programs - general Gymnasium, economist and agricultural technician, as well as three-year programs - chef, waiter and hairdresser.

The classes, he added, will be presented by quality staff, and the choice of courses was done based on the interests of students and market demands.

Sehovic said that he is convinced that the enrollment, which began today, will be on the expected level, and that student interest will be great, especially for professions that are otherwise promoted by the campaign "Professional is key - tools of the future are in your hands!"

"Because we want to send a message to the students who are finishing elementary school that secondary vocational schools are a great choice for all those who have talents for the many programs that these schools offer," he said.

Sehovic recalled that the Ministry of Education devotedly works on the realization of 38 capital projects in the field of education, of which ten are planned in the territory of the capital city.

He announced that in the forthcoming period, in Tolosi and the center, there will be a competition for a conceptual solution, and schools in Zabjelo, Karabusko field, and gymnasium in Podgorica are planned and all have been entered in the capital budget.

Sehovic said that if the procedures proceed according to the plan, by the end of the year, construction of kindergartens in Block VI will begin, and besides this kindergarten, the construction of kindergartens are planned at Zlatica, Stari aerodrom, Tuski Put and City kvart.

Nuhodzic said that he was pleased to see the end of an important project that will, as he said, make not only the citizens of Golubovci proud, but of Montenegro as well, given that it is one of the most beautiful and highest quality educational facilities in the country. He thanked all the participants who worked on this complex project and pointed out that the construction was carried out by following all construction standards, which is shown by modernly equipped cabinets and classrooms, as well as the representative gym room. Stajovic said that by constructing the facility, Zeta got a modern educational institution, which will significantly facilitate the education of children from this area, as the time and travel costs will be reduced with a rich educational offer. She emphasized that the modern school sports hall would solve the multiethnic problem of sports clubs in this city and be a center of sporting events. The Municipality of Golubovci concluded the construction of the access road, which was its obligation in the realization of this project. The school has been equipped and before the opening, it is necessary, as stated, to implement several more procedural steps.

Text by MINA News, on June 17th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

17 June 2019 - Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović opened the Consulate of Montenegro in Trieste, Italy, headed by Honorary Consul Sven Bichler.

On that occasion, Minister Darmanović pointed out that the opening of the Consulate in Trieste, in the year when Montenegro and Italy celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations, represents an important step towards the expansion of the diplomatic network and confirmation of the commitment to continuously develop cooperation between the counties. According to the report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, he also expressed confidence that the activities of Honorary Consul Bichler will contribute to the further strengthening of bilateral ties and the promotion of economic, tourist, scientific and cultural potentials of Montenegro. 

Minister Darmanović reminded that Montenegro and Italy have very good political relations and high-quality cooperation, especially in the domain of economy, tourism and energy, which is confirmed by the growing presence of the Italian economy on the Montenegrin market. "Our diplomacy significantly contributes to the diversification of the Montenegrin economy and high growth rates through dedicated and comprehensive work on connecting business communities and attracting foreign direct investments," Minister Darmanović concluded. 

Honorary Consul Bichler emphasised that cooperation between the two countries can be further improved, and that it is necessary to inform the Italian public in a timely and targeted manner about the characteristics of Montenegrin society and market. He presented plans to organise a presentation on Montenegro in Trieste, stressing that there is room for deepening of connections, especially in the wood, food and textile industry. 

Prefect of Trieste Valerio Valenti, Mayor of Trieste Roberto Dipiazza and CEI Secretary-General Roberto Antonione also attended the ceremony.

The recent meeting that took place in Trieste between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Central European Initiative adopted the Trieste Declaration, which confirmed that Montenegro will take over the presidency of the Initiative from 1 January 2020

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