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Kotor Mayor Jokic: Port of Kotor and UNESCO Status Determine City Development
31 Mar 2019, 13:00 PM

Kotor Mayor Jokic: Port of Kotor and UNESCO Status Determine City Development

March 31, 2019 - The Social Democratic Party initiated the dismissal of the President of the Kotor Municipality, Vladimir Jokić, supported by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), the Social Democrats (SD) and the Croatian Civic Initiative (HGI). SDP, among other things, claims that the Municipal President abused his authority and usurped the ingeniousness of the Kotor Municipal Assembly. About the political crisis in Kotor and the initiative for his dismissal, and about the Port of Kotor, the status of Kotor on the UNESCO list and the issuance of the key document for the area – Spatial Urban Plan of Kotor municipality, we spoke with Mayor Vladimir Jokić.

  • Your dismissal petitioners claim that you are abusing your powers and usurping the inherencies of the Municipality Assembly.  They accuse you of partitioning and making decisions that will cause long-term damage to Kotor. How do you comment?
 
The SDP in Kotor formalised its cooperation with DPS, SD and HGI, jointly signing for a proposal for my dismissal. I want to look at the political background to that. So, we have the situation that those who represented themselves as the opposition to DPS were the same who have ignored the fact that someone does not pay public money.  In such a situation they have come back to the embrace of their old partners for, I suppose, a new cup of drunkenness, this time of Kotor. When the entire Montenegrin opposition attempts to create unity, when we have tens of thousands of people every Saturday protesting peacefully in the streets of Podgorica against the regime, we have SDP, the party which was cooperating with DPS for almost 20 years, deciding to, with DPS, SD and HGI, submit an initiative for dismissing the president of the municipality. It cannot be interpreted differently than to overturn the electoral will of citizens. All political attempts to present it as an attempt to resign an individual are genuinely banal and do not deserve a comment. Even less possible is to comment on the allegations that are in public and listed in the dismissal initiative.
 
  • The SDP calls that you, embezzling the ingeniousness of the Assembly, made up to 14 illegal decisions.
 
It is a fascinating attitude of SDP, and it is almost unbelievable as long as these people go in their hypocrisy. Take the example of Kotor. When Maja Ćatović was elected President of the Municipality of Kotor in 2005, she signed the municipal budget of 31 March, referring to Article 58, now a famous Article 59 of the Local Self-Government Act, and her decision was supported by SDP three months later. You had had many decisions in Tivat, which, referring to the same article, brought the presidents of the municipality and subsequently confirmed the assembly, at moments when the SDP was part of that administration. We have such examples throughout Montenegro. And then the same SDP finds that I quote, "Jokic Force above Law and Citizens" because I made these 14 decisions.
 
  • The SDP argues that decisions are affecting the city's long-term damage. In a statement from 25 March, asking for your dismissal, the municipal committee of the party stressed that "it must stop self-determination in making vital decisions for the city that is damaging the durable goods of citizens and introducing the city into lawlessness." What are the decisions?
 
The assembly has not met, we all know the political reasons for this, and if we talk about legality - the question of political parties is whether the parliament will function, it is not within the competence of the municipal president. So, we have a crisis of power. During the crisis, we have a tourist season coming when we have public companies that cannot work without their business plans. At that point, as a municipal president, I have two options - to leave those companies blocked or to disband their work. Perhaps from the political side, it was much wiser that I kept everything blocked and shifted responsibility to political parties. As a responsible man doing an accountable job, my only logical option was to enable the smooth operation of these companies. I do not know if there is a need to mention that I have applied for such treatment by SDP officials. I have signed decisions on giving consent to the programs and plans of the Utility Company, Water Supply Company, Tourist Organization, Cultural Center, and Public Institution Museums. To be completely practical - if I did not sign a decision to give consent to the work program and the financial plan of the Water Supply Company, this company could not lawfully perform the supply of water to Grbalj, Krivošije and other parts of the municipality that do not have water during the summer. So that was an obligation. Also, I have made different decisions, such as placing some documents in a public hearing, which is "great unlawfulness." We had a choice to entrust the Port of Kotor with the parking area on the waterfront as a prerequisite for handing over the concessions on the Operational Coast in Kotor. What undoubtedly the most politically disadvantaged SDP are the shifts and the appointment of members of the boards of directors of public companies. We had the president of the Steering Committee of the Utility Company, for whom I was presented with proof that he had held sessions without a quorum, where he made decisions for his benefit. Within the framework of a coalition agreement, I asked coalition partners to nominate another person. Under that agreement, it is agreed that, if chosen persons meet the legal requirements, there is no room for intervention in these cases. Members of the board of directors are functions shared by constituents of one government. The parties have proposed their candidates; I have named them by the decisions in a regular procedure and accordance with Article 58 sent to the Assembly. At that point, we have two options - the assembly confirms these decisions, so that they continue to apply from the moment when I have made those decisions or that they have ceased to be valid since the assembly did not confirm them.
 
  • The fact is that one of the issues raised by the Kotor crisis is the question of the Port of Kotor. The first stumbling block was the election of the board of directors of this company in May last year.
 
During the formation of the administration in Kotor, we had a clear and publicly pronounced attitude of the Socialist People's Party (SNP) in Kotor that they sought the majority in the board of directors. Like other constituents of the coalition, we agreed to that. Based on such agreement I was elected president of the municipality, the president of local SDP was elected vice-president. From the same deal, three members of the SNP were appointed to the Board of Directors of Port of Kotor. It is my duty, as someone at the helm of this coalition, to respect the Coalition Agreement by which I was elected. Last May, for the first time, we had a situation in which the SDP did not want to vote for the members of the board of directors of the Port of Kotor with the request to nominate one member of the SDP. In this company, the Democratic Front has an executive director, SDP has a deputy executive director, a function that had not previously existed, but was introduced by new systematisation so that the SDP could exercise its control function in the Port of Kotor.
 
  • On the occasion of the Concession Agreement, the Government of Montenegro concluded with the Port of Kotor, and they are discussing the investment plans for port infrastructure publicly, which critics claim will further jeopardise the natural and cultural heritage of Boka Bay. The business plan is an integral part of the concession agreement, which you have supported at the extraordinary assembly of shareholders of the Port of Kotor, convened on this occasion for performing a single act without consultation with coalition partners.
Neither the business plan of the Port of Kotor nor any other step in the context of the concession was done overnight; this was a process that lasted in one joint stock company. We have the situation that the party that has a deputy executive director appears that they know nothing about anything. When it comes to consulting the Assembly, considering that it is necessary to be as transparent as possible, we are launching the practice of agreeing on how the representative of the municipality will declare at the Assembly of Shareholders of the Port of Kotor at the municipal assembly. Although, besides appointing members of the board of directors to the Port of Kotor, the president of the municipality has the right to represent the municipality autonomously at the assembly of shareholders. On 27 December last year, the Government of Montenegro issued a decision to hand over the concession over the operational coast of Kotor to the joint stock company Port of Kotor. The day after, 28 December, we had a meeting of the assembly in Kotor. At that session, the SDP congress chairperson congratulated citizens of Kotor for a concession, while deputy head of the executive director was sitting in front of her, with the deputy chairman. It is logical to assume that people in such important positions are informed.
 
In February, when we need to hold the Extraordinary Shareholders' Assembly of the Port to accept the Concession Agreement, appreciating the importance of this issue we want to keep the municipal assembly. We had three coalition meetings, and we were discussing the date and agenda of the Assembly Summit. We had a collegium of the president of the assembly, where the chairman of the SDP committee was participating. After that, we had a new coalition meeting to attend the authors of the Port of Kotor Business Plan to give the presidents of the parliamentary parties in Kotor the answers to every possible question and doubt. The SDP on that day refused to participate in that coalition meeting. We went to the assembly session, and ten minutes before that session came a letter in which the SDP warns that if there was any decision at that session, there was no longer a coalition majority in Kotor. Wishing to give room for additional conversations, I did not go to the extraordinary session of the shareholders' meeting. I used the statutory deadline of 15 days to convene a new session to reach a solution. However, you are also aware of the media and that the situation has become so tense that it was impossible to reach a consensus. As the president of the municipality, I was in a situation waiting for a session of shareholders to have as the president of the municipality authority under Article 58 of the Local Self-Government Act to represent the municipality at that session. I have three options - not to go to the session and let the minorities make the decision, to go and vote for the concession or against the concession. To vote against the concession, something I have been arguing since the beginning of the mandate, which is part of my party's programming affiliation, which, in my opinion, is currently the most significant interest of this city, was not taken into consideration. To allow minority shareholders to decide on something that is in the majority ownership of the town as long as I was in the forefront of that town - that was also out of the question.
 
In assessing the political moment, I went to the shareholders' meeting and set up the management of Port of Kotor and the author of the business plan and every question that the representatives of the political constituents who made the coalition set and questioned. I have also asked questions that were of my interest to UNESCO. In addition, I have asked the board of directors that if the Concession Contract, and thus the business plan of the Port of Kotor, is adopted, immediately convene an extraordinary meeting and conclude the executive director that at the time of signing the contract, when the plan becomes an official document, to the revision of UNESCO. After getting answers that, in my opinion, satisfied all that implies a serious approach to this topic, and knowing what the consequence of not declaring such a decision was, I had no dilemma to support the contract. Without prejudice to this decision, the Port of Kotor loses the right to manage their coast. The possibility is open for the Montenegrin Government to launch an international tender that would probably have come from a better bidder than the Port of Kotor. There is another thing that is almost unproblematic in public. You have already contracted over 500 cruising arrivals for this, and over 470 for the next year. The decision of the Government states that the concession of Port of Kotor continues until the concession decision is made. The decision that you are against means that from now on you have no concession. Who is ready to take responsibility for the city's damage to the fact that in the next 12 years it does not ask for its operational coast, to allow the possibility of a foreign company running the port of Kotor?! Finally, who can let a company that is in the majority ownership of the city to be held responsible for potential claims for more than 500 cruising arrivals contracted for this and over 470 for the next year?! The very fact that the local enterprise will continue to keep the archers in Kotor and preserve the possibility of only deciding how many cruises and under what conditions it will be sufficient for ourselves and that the balance of this company will be zero. In the next 12 years, we will invest almost five million euros, the value of the company is up by about 4 million euros, and in the most conservative scenario, we will earn approximately six million euros. I still have not found any argument to convince me that I made the wrong decision.
 
  • Political disagreements over the concession over the Operational Coast of Kotor in the public space have opened discussions on topics such as the carrying capacity of the destination, the ecological effects of capacity building of the Port of Kotor, but also the orientation of tourism development of the city, today the primary target for excursions. Are citizens scared because the development plan of Port of Kotor will further increase the pressure on the city and the way of life of citizens?
Sorting out some things is necessary. By acquiring a concession, we have retained the right to manage our destination. Destination management is the biggest challenge of all cultural tourism destinations that are on cruise lines. Since the election of the president of the municipality, I am very concerned about it. We had a session in Kotor of the World Heritage City Organization, which together with the Mayor of Dubrovnik I proposed this topic. After that, they had a meeting in Rhodes in Greece, and soon we will meet in Cracow, at the summit of the World Heritage Cities Organizations, where we will discuss how the cruising industry affects the cities of world heritage. Do I think it is good that we have too many ships - I do not think so, and if I think it is good that we have cruise tourism - it is okay if we manage to conduct it. From all the cruise ports, we can first compare ourselves to Dubrovnik, which has significantly reduced the pressure on the city via Respect to the City platform. The platform's point is to make the layout of the cruise arrivals and the arrangement of bus arrivals so that they are dispersed throughout the day so that pressure is not pressed at once. In this way, you provide a good experience for the guests who are coming, which is why they may want to return, have less pressure on the public infrastructure, and most importantly, you are reducing the stress on the life of the local population. It's a process that does not happen overnight, but we will go in that direction.
 
I would much prefer that Kotor is the destination of stationary tourism, that we have several big hotels and we are based on the development of tourism, and that we have guests who stay for a few days. But we do not have enough to carry the city's economic activity. In that sense, I will return to the concession issue. We will be able to manage this destination, manage future arrivals, reservations, how ships will be tied, decide whether to introduce ecological tenders, and how the city will look. In addition to this fact, every other benefit is small. And it is not without them. With such a way of controlling the Port of Kotor, you can create a "home port"- the port where it is from and where it ends the round trip. You will make a city where you will have tourists. You will have three thousand guests who need to board in Kotor. These people do not come that morning to board the cruiser in Kotor. They come two to three days earlier, which they spend on hotels and the city. The wish of every cruise destination in the world is to be a "home port". We already have the announcement for the next year that we will have a ship that will start its round trip in Kotor. If someone thinks the city of Kotor can develop in a way to free cruise tourism, to do it today for tomorrow, he is delusional.
 
  • Kotor is on the move to finally get the Urban Spatial Plan, whose overturning backdrop for years has been an argument for numerous devastations of the cultural landscape of the protected area of Kotor. The Urban Spatial Plan is undoubtedly a primary development document, but it should also be a guarantee of preserving the natural and cultural values of the space that has been significantly compromised in recent decades. Will this document incorporate in detail the requirements set out in the UNESCO / ICOMOS Joint Reactive Mission Report?
At the moment when I was elected president of the Kotor Municipality, in March 2017, the biggest problem of Kotor was its survival on the UNESCO list. It was a hard position, and in that sense, there is a challenging period behind us. I can also say that during this process I personally "earned" several criminal charges for not issuing building permits in Kostanjica, because of a property in Verige and so on. However, by the persistent work of local self-government and in cooperation with state bodies, I have to praise the collaboration we have recently managed to establish with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism in the process of adopting the Urban Spatial Plan of the Kotor Municipality, which has given the result. What I specifically have to emphasise is the contribution of the Secretary-General of the Commission for Cooperation with the UNESCO Committee, Mrs Milica Nikolic, and the Montenegrin Ambassador to UNESCO, Mrs Dragica Ponorac, who gave an impudent contribution, especially Mrs Nikolic. From the situation that we are in danger of being deleted from the World Heritage List, we came to the position that we had a visit to the UNESCO / ICOMOS Reactive Mission, to receive the report of this mission, and that next Thursday the Montenegrin Government will adopt the Draft Urban Spatial Plan of Kotor. Of the 33 recommendations given in the Reactive Mission Report, 32 have been entered in this plan. The adopted Draft goes to the World Heritage Center to have an opinion on the proposed document.
 
I think we have made a very significant civilisation breakthrough in a way that we decided to belong to the society of civilised peoples. It means that we have determined to keep our space and not ruin what the world has entrusted us to hold for the quick profit of offshore companies but to save something for our children. What is certain is that such activities are affected by enormous financial interests. Perhaps it is where we can find the reasons for this kind of political situation today in Kotor. On behalf of your team and in my name I can say that the preservation of Kotor and the preservation on the UNESCO list and the concession for the Port of Kotor, although they are two topics that have obviously caused the most significant turbulence at this time, are the biggest achievements of this city over the past three decades. These two things set the foundation for the development of Kotor in the next decade. Everyone coming here will be able to count on developing the city on these facts, being compelled to civilise norms, and will have a big business that can rely on that development. As the municipal president, and as a politician, I could choose the path that would guarantee me four years of a peaceful mandate. You testified that the previous two and a half years were all apart from the quiet, especially the last half of the year. I do not think I need to explain that this administration and the team that leads the city's interest assumes all the other interests. As a man, I can say that I am much more satisfied that I am in peace with myself than with the rest of the world. The preservation of Kotor on the UNESCO list and the concession over the coast of Kotor are acts that will show their significance in the future.
Adventure Park Vrbanj Opening Tomorrow, Free Entrance Till 1 May
31 Mar 2019, 11:26 AM

Adventure Park Vrbanj Opening Tomorrow, Free Entrance Till 1 May

March 31, 2019 - The adventure park on Vrbanj, after the winter break, will again be open for visitors from 1 April, and the entrance will be free until 1 May. According to Milja Vitorović, director of the Orjen Protection and Development Agency, who is managing the Adventure Park, they are undergoing the preparations.

"We're going to spend this weekend finishing the work. Park employees and the Agency's oversight office performed a major cleaning that was necessary after the winter period. Although at a weekly level it worked during the winter, it was essential to complete the restoration. We have removed broken branches in the beech forest; the paths were thoroughly cleaned due to heavy rainfall during the winter. There is also a smaller path to polygons 3 and 4, all based on project standards. The park is refreshed with the resting benches that are a novelty. Additional corrections were made to facilitate the work of the instructors. Soon will be finished the wooden advertisement that will be placed at the entrance," explained Vitorovic.
 
Entrance to the park will not be charged until 1 May, and the price list must be approved by the members of the Assembly of the Municipality of Herceg Novi.
 
"On 1st May we will have promotional prices and discounts for citizens of Herceg Novi. The price list has not yet received the approval of the Assembly, which we expect in mid-April. My proposal to the Cabinet of the President of the Municipality and the Assembly is that the entrance to the Children's Adventure Park will be 5 euros and for adults 10, with citizens giving a 50 per cent discount on the personal card. I hope it will be adopted," said Vitorovic.
 
To Vrbanj there will be a regular bus line on weekends, and Vitorovic says they will try to match the time of the Adventure Park, which will be open from 10 am to 4 pm, while it will be upgraded during the summer season.
 
The Orjen Protection and Development Agency run the Adventure Development Park in Vrbanj since Friday. A contract on the assignment of a park free of charge between the Agency for the Construction and Development of the City, which has so far managed the park so far and the Orjen Development and Protection Agency, has been signed.
 
Obligations of the Agency are that the park is used following the conditions of the IPA project, which is mainly related to the billing. The requirement is that all revenue is used to maintain and develop the park.
From the newspaper in Orjen Vitorović Nature Park for this season announces hiking, photo tours, sightseeing tours, bicycle tours, and many competitions.
 
The adventure park on Vrbanj was built within the Adriatic Canyoning project, worth over 300 thousand Euros, and from October opening, the park used and visited over 8 thousand visitors.
 
Source: Radio Jadran
Protest Organisers and 39 Deputies Signed Agreement on the Future
30 Mar 2019, 23:13 PM

Protest Organisers and 39 Deputies Signed Agreement on the Future

March 30, 2019 - The seventh in a series of peaceful civic protests under the slogan Odupri Se - 97000, where a significant step towards achieving the goals expressed in the Prohibition of Free Citizens, was held in Podgorica, at the Independence Square, where the opposition delegates and protest organizers signed the Agreement on the Future.

Before signing, the Agreement was read by the actor Slaviša Grubiša:
 
"We are committed to a common, consistent and enduring struggle for rooted change in the system, while respecting the principles of authority, as the first precondition for the achievement of all liberal-democratic norms. In light of the current political, social and economic situation, the underlying subject of the Agreement is the minimum conditions for maintaining the first fair and free elections in the history of the Montenegrin multiparty. Signatories express their agreement on the following issues:
 
1. We will jointly strive for the formation of the Government of Civil Unity, which will operate in a limited mandate and whose basic task will be to provide conditions for the maintenance of fair and free elections.
2. The government of civil unity should have the following characteristics:
a. Choice of ministers on a parity basis: one-third of the representatives of the ruling majority, parliamentary opposition, and non-party personalities.
b. In the function of the President of the Government of Civil Unity, he can not be a member of the parties that are now in power.
3. The signatories will not participate in any one election, local, state or presidential, scheduled before the fulfillment of the basic task of the Government of Civil Unity.
4. The Government of Civil Unity will continue and, if possible, speed up the course of the negotiation process related to European integration.
5. The signatories to the Agreement shall agree on all forms of joint non-institutional action. "
 
The agreement also lists resignations, which we could already hear in protests under the slogan Odupri Se - 97,000, including President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, Prime Minister Duško Marković, Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stankovic, Chief Prosecutor Milivoja Katnić, Director Agencies for the Prevention of Corruption of Sreten Radonjić and the leadership of Radio Television of Montenegro.
 
After reading the Agreement, Grubiša urged deputies on the line to sign the Agreement on the Future and to "ensure that they will consistently strive for the fulfillment of all citizens' goals."
The Agreement was signed by the deputies Dritan Abazović, Budimir Aleksić, Aleksa Bečić, Boris Bogdanović, Branka Bošnjak, Strahinja Bulajić, Vera Bulatović, Predrag Bulatović, Anka Vukićević, Draginja Vuksanović, Janko Vučinić, Jovan Jole Vučurović, Aleksandar Damjanović, Goran Danilović, Milutin Goran Radonjić, Mladen Pejović, Zdenka Popović, Goran Radonjić, Goran Radonjić, Zdenka Popović, Marko Koprivica, Marko Koprivica, Ranko Krivokapić, Miodrag Lekić, Andrija Mandić, Nebojša Medojević, Valentina Minić, Danijela Pavićević, Ljiljana Đurašković, Milun Zogović, Branko Radulovic, Slaven Radunovic, Neđeljko Rudovic and Danilo Šaranovic.
 
Veljko Vasiljević, Koča Pavlović, and Džavid Šabović "for justified reasons" did not go out on the stage tonight, but Grubiša informed citizens that their signatures already had. Srđan Milic did not appear on the scene, but on his behalf, the Agreement signed an authorized person.
 
After the delegation, the agreement signed the organizers of the protest Džemal Perović, Dejan Pejović, Omer Šarkić, Demir Hodžić, and Ratka Jovanović-Vukotić. Grubiša concluded the signing by telling the gathered citizens that all of them were signatories of the Agreement.
 
Before joining the Association, the professor of Economic Chamber of Economy in Bar Neđeljko Necko Ðurović addressed a group, wishing "a good night for the longest car in the Balkans."
"We are asking nothing more than free elections and the right to decide on our destiny. We have the chance to be the first generation of this karst, which will, through the democratic path, without new and tragic divisions, bring about changes."
 
Djurovic stressed that citizens should not miss this chance. "We have an exam that we have to pass. We want responsible power and a stable political community," he concluded.
 
He reminded the ruling party at their beginnings and said they now need to hear "what they have been asking thirty years - it's enough just to leave. 
 
One of the organizers of the protest and signatory of the Agreement Demir Hodzic also addressed to the assembled. Hodzic said that with citizens "besides rage, he feels hope and faith."
 
"When I'm going to a store, a taxi, a state institution, and I often hear the words of support. During the hearing at the Podgorica Security Center, because I discovered the one who was illegally following the students and us, I also met police officers in understanding and supporting our struggle. And I know it will soon be up to us because this power falls. "
 
Hodzic also stressed the importance of maintaining local authorities in those municipalities where the opposition was in power.
 
"We are asking not to enter into coalitions or any other DPS arrangements at the local level that could jeopardize the process we all started with."
 
The protest march moved to the Freedom Street, next to the building of the Prosecutor's Office, then Bulevar of St. Petar Cetinjski near the Central Bank, the Assembly, and the Presidency building. Also, loud sounds were heard, and demonstrators screamed: "We are a state!" And "Leave!". The demonstrators continued walking through the bridge of Blažo Jovanović, Bulevar Jovan Tomašević, towards the Millenium Bridge,- then Bulevar Ivan Crnojević and the Freedom Street back to the Independence Square.
 
Next protest gathering within the movement Odupri Se will be held in Podgorica next Saturday, 6 April at 6 pm.
 
Source: oduprise.me
"Odupri Se" Protest Today with Signing "Agreement on Future"
29 Mar 2019, 22:26 PM

"Odupri Se" Protest Today with Signing "Agreement on Future"

March 29, 2019 - The new protest under the slogan "Odupri Se- 97,000" will be held on Saturday, 30 March 30 at 6 pm at the Independence Square in Podgorica. Organizers urged citizens to join with as many as possible, "because it is the only way to meet our demands for the release of captive institutions and to root the changes in the system that for decades serves only the survival of octopus in power."

Throughout the whole week, nonviolent actions have been organized both by the "Odupri Se" movement, as well as by other organizations and individuals. "We started encircling institutions, sure their staff soon will be able to do their job professionally and without pressure. Only in this way can we put pressure on the system, allow changes and realize freedom of choice in a civilized way," the protest organizers said.
 
In Podgorica, a protest bicycle ride on the streets of the city was held, while activists of the movement caught the performance "Odupri Se" this morning, encircled in green vests with the protest slogan of the state institution - the State Prosecutor's Office, the Government, and the Presidency.
 
After meeting with representatives of parliamentary opposition parties and independent deputies held on Wednesday, 27 March in the premises of the Odupri Se on Zabjelo in Podgorica, protest organizers announced that the text of the Agreement on the Future was agreed. They announced that all 39 opposition deputies would sign this document on Saturday at the Independence Square, in front of the crowded protesters
Organizers evaluate this as an essential step towards unity and solidarity of all elements in society.
 
The essence of the Agreement was pronounced in the Proclamation of Free Citizens, the basic requirements being the resignation of the President of the State, the Prime Minister, the Supreme State Prosecutor, the Chief Special Prosecutor, the Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Public Service Council and the General Director of RTCG.
 
From the movement, they did not want to say more about the content of the Agreement on Future, stressing that the citizens will be familiar with the agreement on Saturday at the seventh protest in Podgorica.
 
Although one of the interviews has announced the marches of solidarity towards the capital, this action will not happen this Saturday. They explained saying that they are working to create conditions for the maintenance of parades.
 
The Seventh Protest, as well as all the previous ones have to go through a peaceful, dignified and nonviolent manner, point out to the organizers, inviting participants to take care of those who are standing or walking beside them, and with particular regard to the elderly, disabled, pregnant women and parents with children.
 
After the speeches, the protesting walk will take place in the direction of Freedom to the Gorica Stadium, Bulevar Ivan Crnojević via the Milenij Bridge, Bulevar Jovan Tomašević, via the Blaž Jovanović Bridge and Bulevar of St Peter Cetinski to the Independence Square.
 
Positive Results in Fighting Crime Achieved Through Quality of Service
29 Mar 2019, 17:44 PM

Positive Results in Fighting Crime Achieved Through Quality of Service

29 March 2019 - Positive trends and results from 2017 continued in 2018 as well, which testifies to a high degree of confidence in the work of the Ministry of the Interior and the Police, Interior Minister Mevludin Nuhodžić told the press following the Government of Montenegro's session.

When it comes to providing services for issuing personal documents, he said that the quality level was increased and that wait times at queue lines were reduced and that in the coming period, efforts will be invested in making services even more accessible to citizens and businesses. The Interior Minister announced that it is planned to create new personal identification documents of the so-called third generation to provide citizens with easier access to electronic services.

To adopt the Schengen standards, modern equipment for border crossings was installed, Minster Nuhodžić explained, adding that the construction or reconstruction of the border crossings Ranča, Šćepan Polje and Vraćenovići will start this year, thus enabling the easier flow of people and increasing safety and security of the borders.

Presenting the results of the work of the Police, Minister Nuhodžić emphasised that the overall state of security in Montenegro is based primarily on the good collaboration of the Police and the Special State Prosecutor's Office.

"In cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office, and especially with the Special State Prosecutor's Office, 180 criminal charges were filed against members of organised criminal groups and persons of interest. These are better results compared to 2017 when 48 criminal reports were filed. Execution of more than 20 planned liquidations of members of opposing criminal groups was prevented, which is a better result compared to 2017 when seven liquidations were prevented," he said.

High-ranking members of organised criminal groups had been on the run in previous years, but in 2018 some of them for whom the INTERPOL issued international arrest warrants were apprehended (arrests in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Kosovo and Turkey), and the fight against drug dealers was continued by seizing over 3 tonnes of various narcotics, the Interior Minister noted.

"The trend of the rise of juvenile delinquency by 15.8 % concerns us. This is a clear signal that all institutions should make a greater contribution because these days we have witnessed peer violence among the youngest population that is supposed to be the future of this society," Minister Nuhodžić said.

He added that traffic safety was improved, as evidenced by the fact that the number of deaths decreased by 23.8%, and that the number of serious and minor injuries was reduced. He also recalled that Montenegro was one of the cleanest tourist destinations last summer.

"Priorities in the work of the Interior Ministry and the Police this year will be the protection and respect of human rights of citizens, maintenance of public order and peace, continuation of the fight against organised crime, illuminating the most serious crimes, primarily murders, suppression of street drug sale, as well as fight against all forms of violence, promotion of regional and international cooperation, strengthening cooperation with citizens," emphasised Minister Nuhodžić.

He concluded by saying that about in the penal policy - there is scope for strengthening sanctions for multiple returnees and perpetrators of serious crimes, which is also an important preventive mechanism.

 

Voli Trade Introducing Our Garden Fresh Products Project
29 Mar 2019, 17:34 PM

Voli Trade Introducing Our Garden Fresh Products Project

29 March 2019 - Voli Trade company introduced Our Garden Project which is currently being carried out in Šas, near Ulcinj, where the agricultural production had developed at 70 hectares of land, which has not been used for 25 years.

"Products of this new project are already in stores and buyers have the impression that they got them from their garden since everything is so fresh," said Paul Foli, member of the Board of Directors of Voli Trade company.

Foli spoke about the plans of Voli Trade and announced the possibilities of extending activities abroad. He also said that the domestic market offered excellent chances.

“We are successful, people from the region know us, so, there is a possibility of extending activities abroad. For example, tourists from Serbia already heard about Voli Trade. They come to Montenegro, see our brand, and they like it. The turnover in the stores at the seaside doubles thanks to the clients outside Montenegro. We are constantly searching for the opportunities, but we also never forget that the domestic market is our great opportunity too”, said Foli.

He explained that it is possible to increase the share of the Montenegrin market by modernizing existing stores, with their better and more appealing appearance, with better training of the staff and seasonal orientation.

"Logistics and Distribution Center of Voli Trade is a success story, and we are very satisfied with this investment,” said member of the Board of Directors of Voli Trade company. 

“One-third of everything we sell goes through the LDC. This way, we provide our services for the clients in the wholesale more professionally and efficiently. Therefore, the whole company has two functions - taking care of 70 selling stores, and providing services for the wholesale, restaurants and small chains. Now, we can deliver packages to LDC first and then send them to the store, when necessary. That means our goods are fresher and our clients appreciate that,” pointed out Foli when speaking about Our Garden Project.

Voli Trade Introducing Our Garden Fresh Products Project1

He also emphasized that Voli Trade is a success story and that the employees should not worry about their job.

He made a comparison with some trading chains in Europe and stated that they could still work on some technological solutions.

“It is still the case that the employees here measure fruit and vegetables. That is old-fashioned from the aspect of costs and speed and efficiency,” said Foli.

There is so much more positive atmosphere and enthusiasm in Voli Trade than in many western companies.

“What has been maintained in Voli Trade is the soul, the spirit. The owner knows most of the employees; personally, the employees know each other, and it is so much easier to overcome challenges if the management is not divided from its people. I am sure many western companies would love to be able to copy that, but they cannot find the right way,” concluded Foli.

German Businesspeople Interested in Investing in Montenegro
29 Mar 2019, 17:04 PM

German Businesspeople Interested in Investing in Montenegro

28 March 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković met with the delegation of the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations. The Prime Minister noted that Montenegro is a stable and safe state, adding that for more than two decades it is part of a solution, not a problem in the region, and as such, it is oriented towards rapid economic growth and development. 

"Montenegro is the fastest growing economy in the region, and the economic growth rate of 4.9 percent achieved last year is one of the largest in Europe," the Prime Minister emphasised. 

Furthermore, he pointed to some other indicators of a successful economic policy - growth in industrial production and the food industry, an increase in exports by over 18 percent, a decline in the unemployment rate of six percent, and an increase in the number of employees by over 12,000. A surplus of the current budget amounting to 150 million EUR was achieved last year. 

"The key sectors of our economy are tourism, energy, agriculture, and we are actively working on industry's revitalization," PM Marković said. 

As an important prerequisite for further growth, Prime Minister Marković highlighted the development of the overall infrastructure. In this context, he pointed to a fund that will be created for this purpose through an economic citizenship programme. 

He expects significant incentives for faster development through the construction of the motorway, energy infrastructure, as well as valorization of airports and the Port of Bar, for which German businesspeople expressed interest.

German Business People Interested to Invest in Montenegro

"Our efforts to accelerate development, open new jobs and raise the standard of living are slowed down by some of the constraints we face. This primarily refers to our efforts in improving the rule of law, which includes the efficiency and reliability of the judiciary, the further fight against corruption and organized crime, the public administration reform," PM Marković said. 

Despite significant progress made in these areas, there are still challenges for which Montenegro has solutions, but the country also needs money and time to strengthen law enforcement institutions further and make Montenegrin public administration efficient and inexpensive. 

German businesspeople welcomed this approach, and especially praised Montenegro's role as a factor of stability in the region and highlighted the importance of the country's membership in NATO. Responding to the expressed interest in the dynamics of negotiations with the EU, Prime Minister Marković said that Montenegro was not focused on deadlines but on strengthening its internal potential so that it could fully assume the obligations of a fully-fledged EU member state.

Business people from Germany expressed interest to invest in energy, infrastructure, security and defence, as well as environmental protection. 

Pointing to specific favourable tax rates that make the business environment incentive, Prime Minister Marković invited German investors to come more often and invest more in Montenegro.

Ministry of Defence at UN Headquarters in New York
29 Mar 2019, 16:57 PM

Ministry of Defence at UN Headquarters in New York

28 March 2019 - Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković recently met with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The meeting discussed the international efforts aimed at strengthening global peace and security given that the topic of the upcoming UN Ministerial Conference on Friday is peacekeeping operations. 

Minister Bošković stressed that participation in peacekeeping operations should focus on conflict prevention, bearing in mind that local political problems often go beyond the national borders by taking on the regional and even global dimensions. 

He stressed that the United Nations peacekeeping missions are a unique and dynamic instrument for helping countries affected by conflict, as well as an important factor in building and preserving lasting peace. 

Bošković expressed Montenegro's willingness to provide an active and constructive contribution to the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, emphasising the importance of the participation of the Armed Forces of Montenegro in the UN Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to strengthen the interoperability of the capabilities of its forces.

Ministry of Defence at UNs Headquarters in New York 5

Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Bošković emphasised that Montenegro is based on the principles on which the UN is based and pointed to a strong commitment to multilateralism and thus to the United Nations system as an organisation that seeks to ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous world.

He pointed out that the Government of Montenegro or the Ministry of Defence has a constructive role when the region is in question, and that the primary interest of Montenegro is to maintain stability in the area and to continue further progress, especially concerning European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Bošković informed Secretary-General Guterres about Montenegro's defence system reform, with a focus on historical NATO membership. 

He assessed that in these challenging times, concerted action is necessary. Therefore, the Minister pointed out that Montenegro, as one of the youngest members of the United Nations, strongly supports the organisation's reform process, with the belief that it represents an indispensable platform in promoting stability, cooperation and further economic development of the region, which is a significant support to the Western Balkan countries on their path to further reform and democratization.

Ministry of Defence at UNs Headquarters in New York 1

 

Bošković emphasised that there is no alternative to multilateralism, stressing that Montenegro will continue to proactively play a role in strengthening peace and preventing conflicts on the global level, with the emphasis on the need for more determined and unified coordination and more active part of all UN members. 

Guterres thanked for supporting UN reforms, and welcomed Montenegro's policy, with particular emphasis on the cooperation affirmation policy in the Western Balkans region. He expressed support for Montenegro's European integration and stressed that Montenegro was recognised as a reliable partner in establishing cooperation at the level of the wider international community.

The UN Secretary-General emphasised that Montenegro confirms its commitment to continuously contribute to world peace and conflict prevention by participating in international missions and that it is the right moment to consider new modalities of building trust and conflict management to contribute to the building of more stable and peaceful societies. He expressed the belief that Montenegro will remain committed to an open policy of good neighbourly relations to contribute to the stability of the region constructively.

Montenegro to Launch Tourist Train Route Bar - Kolašin
29 Mar 2019, 16:35 PM

Montenegro to Launch Tourist Train Route Bar - Kolašin

29 March 2019 - According to the conclusions of the assembly held by Railway Transport Service representatives, the launch of a special train schedule once a week only for tourists from Bar to Kolašin could significantly improve the tourist offer of Montenegro,

The assembly, which took place in Podgorica on March 28, was attended by the Director of Railway Transport Service Nenad Babić, Commercial Head of Railway Transport Service Mirko Rmandić and representatives of tourist agencies in Podgorica, Bar, Nikšić and Bijelo Polje.

According to the report published by Pobjeda daily, during the assembly, the participants noted that it is of great importance for the Railway Transport Service representatives to engage in active cooperation with the tourist agencies of the cities above.

"This type of offer would allow us to organise a slow train route so that the passengers could see all the interesting areas in between the two cities. They could have time to photograph certain tourist attractions and landscapes which could enhance their whole travel experience," said Babić, adding that the Railway Transport Service Company is mostly satisfied with its cooperation with the tourist agency Adria within which the two companies have already organised group tourist train routes from Bar to Kolašin.

According to him, the number of tourists last year was three times higher than in 2017, with an income of 37,000 EUR.

"This year we will focus on local transport because we expect problems in international transport within the territory of Serbia. On the route from Belgrade to Subotica, the railroad is currently being reconstructed, so most likely, the train from Subotica will not be transporting passengers to Montenegro. We need to substitute this lost revenue by increasing revenue related to local transport," Babić explained.

Rmandić said that by the end of April, the Railroad Company would introduce a computerized system, in which they invested 100,000 EUR. This system should enable passengers to buy or reserve tickets for 24 hours by a mobile application. They will also have to install a particular channel through which Montenegrin Railroad will be networked with the European Ticket Selling Organization, so tourists will be able to buy and book tickets if they want to travel from Vienna to Brussels. Staff training for this system starts on April 8.

Representatives of the tourist organizations promised to help with the railroad-related projects and pointed out that the stations in Crmnica and Virpazar should be reconstructed, that the information desk in Virpazar should be opened, and the train schedule should be set up at all stations in the English language. They suggested that the station "Aerodrom" in Podgorica should connect with the Airport in Golubovci and thus affect the increase of air and railroad traffic.

Five Smart Solar Benches Installed in Budva
29 Mar 2019, 16:10 PM

Five Smart Solar Benches Installed in Budva

29 March 2019 - The implementation of the “Smart City Concept” within the Municipality of Budva includes the realisation of a pilot project related to the introduction of modern technologies, especially the promotion of the use of solar energy.

Budva has recently purchased five Smart Solar Benches of the new generation, which, through installed photovoltaic modules, accumulate solar energy as the only power source (the benches are not connected to any source of electricity). The bench has a WiFi access point, a rain sensor that turns off the bench in the case of heavy precipitation, a built-in LED light that illuminates the area near the bench at night. Users also have the option to wirelessly charge their newer generation devices (which support wireless charging), as well as standard device charging via USB ports.

Five Smart Solar Benches Installed in Budva 3

The benches are installed in accordance with the plans of the Secretariat for Spatial Development, Municipal and Housing Affairs of Budva in five locations in front of the Municipal Building of Budva (at Trg Sunca – The Sun Square), near the hotel Tre Canne (Mediteranska Street), the third bench can also be found at the Mediteranska Street, on the Slovenska beach, and at the Slovenska coast.

The Assistant Secretary of the Secretariat Secretariat for Spatial Development, Municipal and Housing Affairs Aleksandar Popović commented on the recent purchase and expressed his satisfaction with the project implementation. He said that the representatives of the local government insisted on the realisation of this project and that they are delighted with the outcome of their investment. "The municipality has allocated 12,000 EUR for this project. Mediteran advertising will soon put up three more smart solar benches," Popović added.

Five Smart Solar Benches Installed in Budva 2

The citizens and tourists of Budva can now have access to Steora Smart Benches, beautifully designed benches with multiple functionalities that added allure to each of the five locations they were installed. Their strong, powder-coated steel construction is completely weather-resistant and vandal-resistant. Steora's main feature is the charger for charging different types of devices. The bench comes with two USB ports with ambient light for charging any device using a USB cable. A wireless charger integrated into an acrylic glass cover enables cable-free charging. The users can place their device on the charging pad and charge the device wirelessly.

Fifteen sensors inside Steora monitor everything that happens on and around the bench. Each second, sensors are gathering data about air parameters, bench usage, and system status. All collected information is available for customers via the dashboard. If anything happens, the system immediately alerts the owner and Steora’s tech support.

Splendid Grand Prix - Budva 2019 on March 29
29 Mar 2019, 15:48 PM

Splendid Grand Prix - Budva 2019 on March 29

28 March 2019 - On March 29, 2019, the City of Budva and Hotel Splendid will host the 11th edition of Splendid Grand Prix, an event that has always been known for its glamorous style and high-level organization.

This edition will include a prestige fight in which Montenegrin representative, the junior ex-world champion at the WBO Federation, 24-year-old Dilan Prašović from Herceg Novi will try to defeat Argentinian professional boxer Juan Ezequiel Basualdo.

Dilan Prašović (10-0, 8 KOs), the unbeaten World Boxing Organization cruiserweight, will try to continue his climb towards a world title opportunity. To live up to the expectations, Dilan went on ten-day preparation and sparring training in Oradea, Romania.

The bout is scheduled for ten rounds with the WBO intercontinental cruiserweight title at stake. The site location will be the Splendid Grand Prix in Budva, Montenegro.

Prašović has a one-hundred-per-cent performance in the “pro-ring” - eight victories in eight battles. The project manager, Boban Nikić, expects a quality match of Montenegrin fighter, which measured 90,500 kg, while his opponent from Argentina had 90,200 kg.

Argentinian Basvaldo is seven years older than Prašović, and his score is ten victories, three defeats, and one draw.

As Fightnews previously reported, Prašović impressively knocked out an unbeaten Abraham Tabul last summer. His next opponent Basualdo was just world ranked previous year following his KO upset of then 17-0 Jose Gregorio Ulrich. Prašović is only 24 but is already showing signs to be a special talent. He is not looking past Basualdo, but a win could see him vault deep into the talent-rich cruiserweight mix.

Duel Prašović - Basvaldo is the primary fight in the show, and is expected to begin at 10:10 pm.

The host of the tournament "Splendid Grand Prix - Budva 2019" is the Montenegro Stars Hotel Group and Hotel Splendid, and the sponsors of this event are the Municipality of Budva and the Tourist Organization of Budva.

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