April 12, 2019 - Activists of the Odupri Se 97,000 Movement held a performance yesterday, 11 April, in front of the State Prosecutor's Office building in Podgorica to protest after Wednesday's blockade of CEDIS and EPCG buildings when strangers faced some of the protesters.

April 12, 2019 - In 1989 he was one of the youngest leaders in Europe. Thirty years later, Milo Djukanovic, Montenegro's president, still young at just 57 years of age, was in power as president, prime minister or head of the ruling party, longer than anyone in Europe. The British magazine "The Economist," writes "Montenegrin monarch: Why Milo Djukanovic is Europe's Most Durable Ruler" on April 11. 

Montenegrins born in the 40s remember the time before Djukanovic. Other European leaders want to know what the secret of his success is, but he says there is no simple explanation. 

On his wall is the portrait of King Nicholas, who was abolished in 1918 after 58 years. Djukanovic does not want to be compared to him, though there may be no choice.

Over the last nine Sundays, thousands of people went to the streets of Podgorica asking for Djukanovic's resignation. The president of Montenegro is, however, not anxious.

In 2016, there was a conspiracy target, which was financed by Russia, in the desire to kill him, and now the Russians are making problems again.

"This is ordinary nonsense," Dejan Mijovic, an opposition politician, said through laughter.

"Democracy in Montenegro is fake, and Djukanovic holds all the levers of power, and now he has to go," Mijovic said.

The Montenegrin united opposition received additional energy thanks to the accusations of the former tycoon who now resides in London.

Since January, Duško Knežević, a former friend of Djukanovic, published information that he hopes to overthrow President of Montenegro.

He described the pattern of corruption throughout the state, and he even released a video that shows that he contributes illegally to Djukanovic's electoral campaign (the Envelope Affair).

Djukanovic said that the case was solved, but that everything else Knezevic is telling is lies of a fugitive from justice (Knežević is suspected of "money laundering").

Knezevic admitted that he violated the law on campaign contributions, but added that it was the only way for someone to deal with a business in a country where Djukanovic recruited and kept everything under control.

However, the affair of Duško Knežević and opposition demonstrations take place, Djukanovic's political survival is remarkable.

In 1989, Djukanovic was a protégé of Slobodan Milosevic, then a Serb leader. But as Milosevic faced a defeat in the war over Kosovo, Djukanovic turned to advocate the reconstruction of Montenegro's independence, lost in 1918 when Yugoslavia was created.

It started in 2006 when it managed to create a rarity in the Balkans - a multiethnic state.

Djukanovic said that he was trying to withdraw from power, but that a new assignment would always be dropped.

Montenegro joined NATO alliances in 2017. In Montenegro, there has never been a change of power in the elections.

Fearing the influence of Russia, Western leaders seem not to be in the mood to try to kill the "cunning" Djukanovic to retreat.

Between 1696 and 1918, Montenegro had seven leaders, who ruled for 32 years on average. One of the secrets of their success was a good balance between opposing clans.

Asked whether the situation in the Montenegrin society is the same, Djukanovic has briskly responded that, unlike previous leaders, he was elected by the citizens.

A recent survey has shown that as many as 71 percent of Montenegrin citizens want the leader to be "strong and determined".

The secret of Djukanovic's success is clientelism.

One official of the ruling party claimed in 2012 that in a snapshot (the "Snimak" affair - an example of the news section of the "Vijesti" portal) four votes in the elections for the ruling party were secured on every single employee in the public sector.

Still, the last demonstrations show that many people are saturated with Đukanović.

"There has been a change of political atmosphere in recent years," analyst Daliborka Uljarević said. Anyone who dares to criticize the work of the Government risks being labeled as an enemy of the state by pro-government media, just as it was the case of Uljarevic.

The political atmosphere is poisonous, and the ruling party and its allies control only 42 out of 81 seats in parliament.

The tycoons from Azerbaijan, Russia, Malaysia, and the UAE have purchased properties and developed a luxury coastal resorts, but many in the country feel that only a small group of people around Djukanovic has been enriched, while the rest are living with low income and poor public services.

Writer Somerset Mogam once called the French Riviera a "sunny place for suspect people". According to “The Economist,” this could be said for Montenegro.

Source: Vijesti

11 April 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković met with Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković in Dubrovnik for talks on bilateral relations and boosting economic cooperation.

"We discussed how to further improve bilateral relations, maintain a high level of political dialogue, but also upgrade economic cooperation within the region," said Prime Minister Marković, who is taking part in the Eighth Summit of Heads of Governments of Central and Eastern Europe Countries and the People's Republic of China, taking place in Dubrovnik.

The Prime Minister stressed that he agreed with the Croatian Prime Minister that during this year, within the preparation for taking over the presidency of the Council of the European Union, Prime Minister Plenković will visit Montenegro and that all the options related to the Western Balkans and its progress towards the EU, which Croatia could have in its agenda during the presidency, will be discussed.

"We also discussed some conditionally outstanding issues. We agreed that these are not issues that are unsolvable, but that we need to tackle them in the short term and show the ability to be responsible and able to solve outstanding issues and not archive them," the Prime Minister told the press following his meeting with Prime Minister Plenković, adding that in the future he expects further progress in bilateral relations in all fields.

When asked by reporters about his expectations of the 16+1 Summit, Prime Minister Marković said that Montenegro's position was based on very good political relations with China.

"Within this process, we also discuss cooperation in the field of economy and infrastructure development. You know that we are almost in the final phase of the construction of the first section of the motorway in Montenegro. I will emphasise during my meeting with Prime Minister Li Keqiang on the following day the importance of this project and the significance of completing this project by mid-2020," the Prime Minister of Montenegro noted.

"The continuation of cooperation on the motorway construction, as we have already received an offer from the CRBC, according to the model of private-public partnership, will be discussed as well," PM Marković stated.

"It is my great pleasure that within this Summit, and supported by other Summit participants, we will be able to discuss the establishment of a creative hub in Montenegro for all members, which is very important in terms of cultural cooperation, innovation," Prime Minister Marković noted.

He added that these are all issues that will be part of the Summit agenda, stressing that he has significant expectations of the Summit.

11 April 2019 - Expert for the integration of post-communist countries into NATO and president of the Project on Transitional Democracies, one of the leading NGOs in Washington, Bruce Jackson, points out that there will be more and more American investors as Montenegro is getting closer to the EU.

No country has ever moved so fast towards the West like Montenegro has – ever since the Cold War. Not only the government, that is, presidents, prime ministers and ministers of foreign affairs should take credit for such results, but also exceptional men and women in Montenegro who have been working with commitment in ministries and overseas embassies. And, of course, Brussels, that has accelerated the integration, says Bruce Jackson.

He remembers numerous meetings that have been held with Milo Đukanović and Milan Roćen in the last twenty years. Each time, the future of Montenegro in NATO and the EU was the main topic.

“Milo Đukanović has always emphasized the Montenegrin way towards NATO. 2006 was the turning point when Montenegro became an independent state, and the door of the EU and NATO opened wide. Ever since the Cold War, no country has made such great progress towards its way towards the West”, says Jackson.

He agrees with the accession to the EU being Montenegro's top priority.

“All the values that brought Montenegro into NATO will be the same ones that will bring it to the EU. However, insisting on some artificial dates is senseless. It only hinders the entire process. The accession process is like studying. It doesn’t matter how long you study, as long as you learn something. It’s important that Montenegro keeps closing the chapters”, said the American expert.

Asked how Montenegro could attract American investors, he took Croatia as a positive example.

“Once the Montenegrin story is spread, and once it gets closer to becoming an EU Member State, you can expect just the same economic expansion in Montenegro as well”, said Jackson.

He also spoke about the case of terrorism and the trial that is almost over.

“We are all working hard on stopping Russia’s intervention in the elections in other countries. We must hope in the forthcoming decade that the Russian-Ukrainian war will finish and that the relations between the EU and Russia will normalize”, said Jackson.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

11 April 2019 - Although it does not have large military capacities, Montenegro is very important for NATO, because it is a role model, primarily for the region, and it can offer its expertise to countries of the region, such as Northern Macedonia, Romania's Foreign Minister Teodor Meleskan told Portal RTCG.

Romanian Minister of Defense Gabriel Les told the Public Services Portal that Montenegro should learn from Romania's example and aspire to a stronger cohesion with NATO.

"Solidarity idea is NATO's heritage. It gathers large and small countries, but they all have the same guarantees of peace and security. Montenegro contributes, as well as everyone, within the limits of its possibilities," Meleskan emphasized, strongly urging further expansion of the alliance, and hoping that Northern Macedonia will become a member.

As he pointed out, the Alliance is a political-military alliance, and it is not just a matter of security.

"It is committed to freedom, democracy, human rights and prosperity of the member states," Maleskan explained.

Prime Ministers of Montenegro and Romania, Duško Marković and Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă, recently agreed in Bucharest that the two countries have established friendly relations and partnership in NATO, that both aim to deepen economic cooperation, and that the successful completion of European accession of Montenegro and the continuation of European integration of other Western Balkan countries is the best framework for the stability of this part of Europe.

The meeting was concluded as the prime ministers announced concrete steps in terms of economic cooperation, including a meeting of the mixed commission of the two countries and the organisation of an economic forum that would bring together business communities of Montenegro and Romania. Agriculture, energy and tourism are recognised as concrete areas of cooperation. Direct cooperation within NATO was agreed in several areas.

11 April 2019 - The Government of Montenegro approved 300.000 EUR of financial support to successful sports clubs, while the funds will be paid from the budget of the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Montenegro.

Following the record-breaking 4.024.000 EUR that the Ministry of Sports and Youth envisaged allocating to the national sports associations throughout 2019, this represents a strong indicator of the Government’s continuous support to sports, aiming to improve the conditions in which the sports clubs operate.

Having in mind that the sports clubs are usually funded from the municipal budgets, the mentioned financial support would stimulate even more successful performances on the national and the international level as well.

Also, the Government of Montenegro will keep upgrading the conditions for sports clubs through the system of children’ sports that are going to be implemented in September 2019. The main goal of children's’ sports will be to include as many children as possible in sports activities and also to strengthen the Montenegrin sports base.

Recently, during the "Ask Minister" ForumAsk Minister" Forum it was concluded that the students are the most critical resource of Montenegrin society and the primary driver of Montenegro's development, and that systemic educational reforms have significantly contributed to their better knowledge and European competitiveness of all Montenegrin universities.

On this occasion, Minister of Sports and Youth Janović said that Montenegro's youth is the future of Montenegro, stressing that the Ministry of Sports and Youth creates conditions for young athletes and their professional development. 

10th April 2019 - Meeting commitments from the negotiation process, in the first quarter of 2019, had excellent dynamics, which is confirmed by the level of implementation of activities from the Programme of Accession of Montenegro to the EU 2019-2020, Adviser to the Chief Negotiator Dragana Marković said at a press conference following the Government of Montenegro's session. 

At this session, the Cabinet passed the first quarterly report on meeting commitments under the Programme of Accession of Montenegro to the EU 2019-2020. 

Marković pointed out that the Government was satisfied with the fulfillment of obligations in the first quarter, amounting to 74%, emphasising that 53 out of 72 planned commitments in the legislative and strategic part were met. 

She pointed out that, compared to the first quarter of 2018, when the level of meeting commitments amounted to 67%, we see the progress resulting from the dedicated and responsible work of the institutions, as well as good inter-ministerial coordination in meeting commitments of the negotiation process. 

According to Marković, two laws, 26 bylaws and 25 strategic documents were adopted in the first quarter, whose high-quality and efficient application will improve the situation in a significant number of areas and improve the quality of life of our citizens. 

"The largest number of laws and bylaws, 18 of them, is planned in Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change, Chapter 12 - Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy and Chapter 15 - Energy. The largest number of strategic documents, 16 of them, is planned in Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, Chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security, and Chapter 29 - Customs Union," Marković said. 

She pointed out that all institutions were fully committed to meeting commitments from the Programme of Accession, and that the full implementation of the overall activities in the first quarter was achieved by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Public Administration, the Ministry of Culture, the Capital Market Commission and the Central Bank of Montenegro. 

She said that the continuation of the high-quality and efficient implementation of the Programme of Accession would ensure the improvement of the results of the negotiation structure and the intensification of reforms that lead to better living standards and the quality of life of citizens, which is the ultimate goal of the European integration process.

"Montenegro is a small Balkan country in the Adriatic Sea, which, although it does not seem like a luxury destination, thanks to the picturesque coast, luxurious hotels and great popularity among yachtsmen, is called the new French Riviera," is a description of our country that is present in the foreign media.

The attention of Business Insider, Montenegro attracted by its new program, which aims to bring as many rich people as possible to its long coastline. Apart from being the home already for 64 millionaires, Montenegro has provided an opportunity for 2,000 more to invest 250 million euros in the development program of the country and thus acquire Montenegrin citizenship.

In fact, Montenegro is just one of the countries in which wealthy foreigners can invest several hundred thousand euros in state development and, in return, receive a Montenegrin passport. Such a program is offered by Moldova, Greece, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Malta, and each candidate for a Montenegrin passport will have to pay a citizenship application, which is 100,000 euros.

Experts say Montenegro has become attractive to the rich people because of the luxury they can enjoy at lower prices than on similar destinations. The media say that due to the marina in Tivat Porto Montenegro, Montenegro has become a paradise for yachts, and therefore it is not surprising that it was on the list of the best destinations for billionaires in 2019, published by the travel agency “Original Travel”.

Porto Montenegro in Tivat, which is announced as the future most modern destination of the Mediterranean for the rich clientele, opened the doors of two new residential buildings.

"Thanks to the newly opened Chedi Lustica Bay and the first European One & Only resort named Portonovi, Montenegro will experience a luxurious Renaissance this year and next," says Tom Barber, co-founder of “Original Travel”.

Also, the magazine “Architectural Digest” says that Montenegro is not only popular "because of the intact space, the amount of sunlight and gentle hosts, but also because of the new and renovated luxury hotels and restaurants."

Foreign media also write that real estate prices in Montenegro are still low compared to the French Riviera and Monaco, with which Montenegro is often compared to. For a little less than $ 300,000, on the market, you can find a three-bedroom luxury apartment with a terrace that overlooks the sea or a four-room house on three floors in Budva.

In Boka Kotorska bay you can buy four-room villa with a three-car garage and a terrace with direct access to the sea for "only" $ 1.4 million, according to the foreign media.

Also, after Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and introduced the euro as a currency, its popularity grew, and the demand for homes in the country also increased, and as many as 80-90% of sold properties were bought by foreigners.

Text by Novcanik.hr, on April 10th 2019, read more at CdM

The Montenegro national basketball coach Zvezdan Mitrovic has published a list of players for the preparations for the World Cup in China.

Mitrovic published a broader list of 24 players, and preparations will start on July 25^th in Podgorica.

List:

1. Derek Nidam Ritas Viljnus
2. Nikola Ivanović Buducnost Voli
3. Ognjen Čarapić Mega Bemax
4. Nikola Pavlićević Sutjeska
5. Mašan Vrbica Lovcen
6. Jovan Kljajić Gran Canarias
7. Petar Popović Buducnost Voli
8. Nemanja Vranješ Mornar
9. Suad Šehović Budućnost Voli
10. Sead Šehović Budućnost Voli
11. Aleksa Popović Lovcen
12. Dino Radončić Mursia
13. Nemanja Radović Saragosa
14. Nemanja Đurišić Ostende
15. Milko Bjelica Tojota Alvark
16. Danilo Nikolić Budućnost Voli
17. Bojan Tomašević Crvena Zvezda
18. Nikola Vučević Orlando
19. Bojan Dubljević Valensija
20. Marko Todorović Huventud
21. Filip Barović Budućnost Voli
22. Zoran Nikolić Budućnost Voli
23. Marko Simonović Olimpia
24. Miloš Popović Lovcen
25. Blagota Sekulić Gipuskoa

Beside Mitrovic, the staff includs Bosko Radovic and Dusan Dubljevic, scout Vladimir Todorovic, fitness trainer Milovan Ljubojevic, doctor Sasa Radovic, physiotherapist Perisa Cagorovic and kit man Darko Savic.

Montenegro will train in Podgorica for the first seven days, after which they will move to Kolasin.

As part of the preparations, participation at the tournaments in France and China are also planned.

Text by Vijesti sport, on April 10th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

The miracle of all miracles in "Moraca".  

The Montenegro handball defeated Denmark, the Olympic and world champions, and a dominant force led by the best player in the world.

In the third round of qualifications for the European Championship, the "Lions" celebrated one of the most significant victories in the history of Montenegrin sport - 32:31.

The Danes came to Podgorica after a series of 15 consecutive victories in official matches, ten linked to the World Cup and failed in the duel with Montenegro. Mikel Hansen and his comrades could only watch the celebration in shock, while the fans sang to Nebojsa Simic and other idols. 

The "Lions" took some time to break through the defense of Denmark, possibly because of the overly respectful attitude towards the giant. But when they set out to tackle the net of powerless Kim Niklas Landin, they did not stop - Milos Bozovic and Stevan Vujovic scored from all positions, Simic defended himself as if in a trance and "stopped" the hits, so Nebojsa Simovic in the 13th minute increased the lead to 8:5. Montenegro then led 9: 6, after which Bozovic was excluded, while Roganovic showed courage and sent Aleksandar Bakic to fight with the current Olympic and world champion. The home team even had a great opportunity to take a lead of plus four, but Vladan Lipovina's shot hit the inside part of the goalpost. The Danes came back at 9:8, and then Bakic overcame Landin and made Nikolai Jakobsen call a time-out and switch at the goal. The guests came around after that, began to punish the rivals' mistakes, but the "Lions" had an unbelievable desire and was again up two points (13:11 and 14: 12).

Then the brilliant Hansen took everything into his own hands - the best player of the planet came back for 16:15.

Jakobsen started the second half without a goalkeeper, with seven players in the attack, but was immediately penalized because Marko Lasica hit an empty goal for 17:17. The Danes continued to attack with one handball player more and once again paid the price of taking a risk, so Milos Vujovic finished the series 3:0 for 22:20. The guests had an attack on the turn, but Simic caught a refrained ball and slammed the net from seven meters, and then Stevan Vujovic, Bozovic, and Milos Vujovic returned with a record plus three (28:25, 47^th minute) after a perfect assist by the Montenegrin goalkeeper.

When Branko Kankaras pushed the ball it into the net for 30:27, it was clear that a miracle was about to happen. Lipovina raised the score to 32:30 51 seconds before the end, but that was not the end of the drama - 19 seconds later Anders Zachariassen decreased the difference, and Bozovic tried to solve everything with a goal. Landin defended, but luck was on Montenegro's side. In fact, Montenegro did not deserve to be left without the greatest victory in history.

With these two points, the "Lions" returned to the European Championship. If they beat Ukraine in June, they will qualify for the European Championship, and will have something to show if they keep playing like this.

MONTENEGRO - DENMARK 32:31 (16:17) Podgorica - Hall "Moraca." Spectators: 3.300. Referees: Pichon and Revere (France). Seven: Montenegro 1 (1), Denmark 6 (5). Exclusions: Montenegro 10, Denmark 4 minutes.

Montenegro: Mijuskovic, SIMIC 1 (15 defenses and one from seven meters), Bakic 1, CAVOR 2, RADOVIC 1, M. VUJOVIC 4 (1), Radojevic, Simovic 1, KANKARAS 3, S. VUJOVIC 5, Sevaljevic, Petricevic, BOZOVIC 7 , Lasica 2, Andjelić, Lipovina 5.

Denmark: N. LANDIN (five defends), Gren, M. LANDIN 2, Jakobsen, ZAKARIJASEN 6, SVAN 7, Melgord 1, Mensa-Larsen 2, Toft 2, M. HANSEN 8 (5), OLSEN 1, J. Hansen , DAMGORD 2, Nilsen, Holm, Hald.

Text by Nikola Nikolic, on April 10th, 2019, read more at Vijesti