18 May 2019 - Foreign Minister of Montenegro Srđan Darmanović participated in the 129th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Helsinki.

18 May 2019 - Montenegro has shown strong commitment in implementing the reforms and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is ready to provide all necessary support in continuing the EU accession process, it was noted during the official visit of the Montenegrin delegation to The Hague. 

The Montenegrin delegation, led by Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević, had several meetings in The Hague to present the latest results in the field of fighting corruption and organized crime. 

Members of the delegation, consisting of member of the Negotiating Group for Chapters 23 and 24 Marijana Laković, Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić, Assistant Director of the Police Directorate for Criminal Police Sector Enis Baković and Assistant Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption Savo Milašinović met with the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice in The Hague. 

"Consistent application of European standards in the area of protection and promotion of citizens' freedoms, rights, and security, as well as continuous progress in legislative reform and institution building, as well as achieved results in the field of fight against corruption and organized crime, money laundering and temporary seizure of property are the basis for the expectation that the achieved progress will be recognised in the upcoming EC report on Montenegro. We are convinced that, based on the good results we are achieving, the EC will shortly begin the definition of benchmarks to close these chapters temporarily," Chief Negotiator Drljević stressed. 

Representatives of the Montenegrin delegation reported that all institutions, in full capacity, were committed to meeting obligations under Chapters 23 and 24. 

Representatives of the Dutch ministries welcomed Montenegro's contribution to NATO and its clear commitment to EU membership. 

They commended the compliance with the EU's foreign and security policy, the results achieved in the framework of police cooperation and the work to improve the position of the LGBT population. They recommended that in the coming period it is necessary to continue producing results in the field of fight against corruption, strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the media, adding that Montenegro can count on the full support of the Dutch institutions.

With the music from the opera "The Blind Mouse" by Johan Straus, 220 graduate students from the high school "Ivan Goran Kovacic" danced the quadrille at the square "Nikola Djurkovic".

The graduates were dressed in yellow and green t-shirts, thus giving their contribution to the jubilee celebration - 50 years of Mimosa Festival. Ana Ercegovic led the graduate's dance.

So far, around 400,000 graduates from more than 100 European cities have participated in this event. All graduates dance the same choreography at the same time, and music is broadcasted over satellite radio. All together they are part of the project of dancing with the same goal in Europe, connecting and cooperating, as well as spreading togetherness, love and peace.

After dancing at the square, the graduates continued the celebration at Kanli Kula, and on Saturday, 25^th May, there will be the graduate’s parade through the city and the graduation party.

Graduates from Herceg Novi first danced the quadrille on May 16^th in 2008, and so far over 350,000 students from more than 100 European cities have participated in this event, and seven times they have succeeded in breaking the Guinness record.

"Herceg Novi sends a picture of youth, beauty and communion in the world," said the secretary of culture and education of the Municipality Herceg Novi, Ana Zambelic Pistalo, addressing graduates, professors, numerous gathered parents, relatives and friends.

"Herceg Novi has young people full of potential, and many of them today are united in the beauty of dance, and we are trying to support young, prospective citizens of Herceg Novi through various activities. To make Herceg Novi a city in line with the needs of the young people which offers quality and opportunities, this is our basic task and obligation," the secretary for culture said.

The general sponsor of the event is the Municipality Herceg Novi.

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

The Montenegrin society has to make efforts in the struggle for human rights that every citizen would be accepted as equal before law and society, regardless of sexual and gender differences, said the Center for Civic Education (CGO).

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, they said that institutions also have a special responsibility.

As stated, LGBT people in Montenegro, despite the declarative ban on discrimination, still lack the necessary support to enable them to obtain their rights and live without fear of having discomfitures due to their different sexual orientation or gender identity.

"This year's International Day Against Homophobia focuses on justice and protection for everyone, and UNDP also emphasizes the support to the development of initiatives to end exclusion, discrimination and violence against LGBT people," the statement said.

It is stated that this is imperative and is more than ever necessary, and on that line are the efforts of the CGO, which are currently strengthened within the framework of the project "NO to discrimination, YES to differences".

The CGO research conducted in February this year indicates a positive shift that should be used to move the position of LGBT people in Montenegro from declarative tolerance to full acceptance and appreciation.

As reported, the fact that 81 percent of the respondents state that they would help a LGBT person in case of witnessing an act of violence against him is inciting in the process of fighting against discrimination and violence.

When it comes to the law on the life partner of the persons of the same sex, about which the deputies will vote soon, 55 percent of citizens have a positive attitude towards adopting that act.

It is reported that this is a significant change compared to less than a fifth, or 18 percent from 2016.

The CGO argued that this should also be a source of encouragement for those delegates who are still in the process of measuring of how much it would impact their polls rather than being leaders in the promotion of human rights culture. The CGO survey also indicated that just under a third of citizens would accept their child completely if they find that there is a different sexual orientation than heterosexual.

As stated, middle age is the most fertile factor for influencing attitudes on various issues, values, and principles, but also their ability to fight for their own and the rights of those who cannot.

"Throughout the 11 workshops we had the opportunity to get acquainted with the attitudes of young people who positively surprised us, but some of them are seriously anxious because traditions, prejudices and stereotypes continue to spread among young people in Montenegro," the statement said.

That is why, as they say, it is necessary to continue the struggle for LGBTI rights, on the social scene and in the Assembly, and to adopt good legal solutions that will create the legal premise for the equal living of LGBT people in Montenegro.

"The CGC today celebrates the diversity that is treasured in every society, celebrating lesbians, homosexuals, trans, nonbinary, intersexual and queer people, activists and LGBT rights organizations, who with their own example stand against any form of discrimination in Montenegro," concludes the statement.

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

The Norwegian National Day was celebrated at the Institute "Dr Simo Milosevic" in Igalo, where 150 patients from this Scandinavian country are on vacation and treatment. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway is celebrated since May 17^th, 1814, when the Norwegian Constitution was voted after gaining independence.

First, the Norwegian guests walked through Igalo in a parade, then the local music Djenovici with majorettes, kids from the Children’s Home "Mladost", members of KUD "Ilija Kisic", as well as many friends of the Norwegian people from Herceg Novi and Igalo. In front of the Institute’s National Restaurant, a program that began with the sounds of the national anthems of Montenegro and Norway took place.

On behalf of the local government, the holiday to the guests from Norway was congratulated by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Municipality Danijela Djurovic.

"On the map of our friends, Norway has had a special place for years. The reason for this is the brotherhood with the city Levanger, which lasts more than five decades and the Norwegian program at the Institute "Dr Simo Milosevic", thanks to which thousands of guests from Norway have visited our town for more than 40 years.

"Connecting our states has begun as a networking of cities and business cooperation, to link the relationship with the people and in years it became the foundation for the exchange of cultures, experiences, improvement of local community life, the close relationship between people and families. Citizens of Herceg Novi will never forget the assistance they received from Norway after a catastrophic earthquake exactly 40 years ago, as well as all of the support projects that followed, primarily in the field of municipal equipping and education," said Djurovic and emphasized that they will continue to work on strengthening the link between the two states.

This year, the Institute celebrates 70 years of existence and 42 years of cooperation and programs we have with your state. This jubilee is proof that our joint program, with the expertise and professionalism of the staff in the Institute in Igalo, faces all the challenges. We wish that during your stay in Igalo and Montenegro you will feel the hospitality and the warmth of our people. Although we have been experiencing you as our fellow citizens for a long time, we have organized the program to at least celebrate the atmosphere of the holiday season in your country," said the director of the Medical sector in the Institute in Igalo.

"The Constitution Day is very important to us Norwegians - as well as to all who understand the significance of their own freedom and their constitution. We are grateful for everything it has been done in Eidsvold, and we are happy to enjoy the fruits of their work - that our society could, and still can, develop better for the people who live in it. We are very happy that our friends here in Igalo make our holiday so beautiful for us as we are away from home - thank you for that!" said the chief nurse in the Norwegian program Inger Hansen.

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

May 19, 2019 - About 200 villagers in the valley of the Bukovica River and its surroundings, citizens from other Montenegrin regions and civil activists yesterday from the shore of the endangered river ordered the authorities to annul concessions for the construction of two SHPPs (two small hydroelectric power plants). Citizens have said that they will not give up the defence of the river and that they will not let investors build.

SHPPs in Montenegro - the violation of European and international conventions

ODUPRISE Movement Calls for Action Against the SHPPs on Bukovica

May 18, 2019 - Within the program of marking the Independence Day of Montenegro, in the 1210th Anniversary of the Boka Navy Kotor, the most representative exhibition on the oldest organization of seafarers in the world was opened in Cetinje.

Deputy Prime Minister, Zoran Pazin, Copyright: Government of Montenegro/ S. Matic

Boka Navy Admiral, Dr Antun Sbutega, Copyright: Government of montenegro/ S. Matic

Andro Radulovic, the director of the Maritime Museum of Montenegro Kotor, Copyright: Government of Montenegro/ S. Matic

Navy's Performance in Cetinje, Copyright: Government of Montenegro/ S. Matic

18 May 2019 - On May 18, Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković officially launched and put into operation three large investment projects of the company 13. Jul Plantaže. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro Milutin Simović, Executive Director of the company Verica Maraš, the company’s board of directors headed by President Veselin Vukotić, management and employees of 13. Jul Plantaže, as well as numerous other state officials.

The launched projects include three strategically important steps for the company: Biomass boiler, Cold Storage with the purpose of reception, storage and manipulation of fresh fruit, as well as New vineyard plantations on a total area of ​​55 hectares (ha). The total value of investments in modern plants and plantations representing the highest world standards is 4.100.000 EUR.

By implementing these projects, the company 13. Jul Plantaže will significantly strengthen its capacities in primary production and optimize work processes in primary processing. These steps will affect the security, stability and strengthening of the leadership position as the basis for increasing the flexibility of the business and the response to the increasingly dynamic requirements of the domestic and foreign markets.

To ensure future efficient operations, around 19 million EUR has been invested in the processing facilities and equipment of company 13. Jul Plantaže for the last ten years. As a socially responsible company, to achieve sustainable development, in recent years, Plantaže has been firmly implementing systematic measures in the field of environmental protection, improving energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources. In this regard, within the Plantaže production facilities, Biomass boiler was installed. This boiler uses vineyard prunes created by winter vineyards cuttings as its raw material. In this way, Plantaže eliminated the use of fossil fuels and reduced the emissions of harmful CO2 by 740 tons annually. This investment can be considered and classified into ecological projects that have a Zero Waste Rate because all of the ash, which is produced by combustion of biofuels, is used for fertilizing vineyards and new plants. The power of the new Biomass Boiler is 2 MW, which is sufficient to supply all consumers of heat energy necessary for the smooth operation of processing capacities.

This is just one of a number of projects in the field of energy efficiency and sustainable development that will be implemented in the future, respecting the environmental protection postulates, and its total value is 600.000 EUR without VAT. In the last 10 years, Plantaže has invested about 13 million EUR in raising its plantations of vineyards and orchards by 700 ha. The new vineyard plantations, which the Prime Minister visited today, are located at Šipčanik area. The plantations cover a total area of ​​55 ha and have not been utilized until now.

Dušan Kankaraš, one of the directors at Plantaže, informed the representatives of the Government of Montenegro about the investment project, pointing out that this is the most modern vineyard plant with complete support infrastructure, which in this case implied the construction of a new exploration and exploitation well with a capacity of 90 litres of water per second, as well as the installation of a drip irrigation system on the entire surface. The total value of the project is 1.500.000 EUR.

Dedicated development planning, permanent investments, setting up and achieving ambitious goals will be the way Plantations will continue in the upcoming period. The business policy of the company 13.jul Plantaže is focused on long-term stable growth and development, achieving good business results and further strengthening of the leading position their products have on the Montenegrin market and the markets of the region.

Data acquired from 13. Jul Plantaže Official Website.

18 May 2019 - On May 18, President of Budva Marko Carević opened the XI European Ju-Jitsu Cup 'Budva Open 2019'. Over 350 competitors from eight different countries are taking part in this competition.

The cup was organized by the Ju-Jitsu Federation of Montenegro and the Ju-Jitsu Club Budva, under the auspices of the Municipality of Budva.

The opening ceremony was attended by members of the European and world Ju-Jitsu federations. The goal of the organizer is to respect all the criteria of the European Federation. The biggest problem is in this case finances, and the representatives of Montenegrin Ju-Jitsu Federation hope that this problem was overcome with the help of the local government.

Carević said that the Ju-Jitsu Cup Budva Open 2019 is a tournament that the European Federation of Ju-Jitsu declared one of the three best tournaments in Europe and awarded it with the title of the European Qualifier at its congress in Almeria. As Budva’s president explained, this accomplishment is a great recognition to the Budva Ju-Jitsu Club, but also for the Budva Municipality as well.

"The municipality is proud of the accomplishments of the Budva Ju-Jitsu Club and will continue to support its work," said the president at the opening of the Cup, wishing the contestants to enjoy competing in this ancient sport and to make their best efforts to win.

Budva Open 2019 is being organized at the Sports Centre Rea in Budva. Clubs from several European countries have announced their participation in the Cup. Clubs from Poland, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and Montenegro are particularly prominent.

The event itself is a great honour and privilege for the development of Ju-Jitsu in Montenegro because it will be a great test through which the European public will once again be able to get acquainted with the efforts of the Montenegrin Ju-Jitsu Federation and Budva Ju-Jitsu Club.

Source: RTV Budva

May 18, 2019 - Delegates of the civic movement ODUPRISE returned from Brussels, where they stayed for several days. Movement representatives are satisfied with the messages they received there and expect support in their future activities, one of the ODUPRISE leaders, Dzemal Perovic, told TV Vijesti.