25 January 2019 - The time of the completion of Montenegro's negotiations with the EU, which have so far lasted for six and a half years, will also depend on how and to whom the Montenegrin Government will give economic citizenship. This new condition derived from the European Commission (EC) Report on the risks of investor citizenship and residential schemes in the EU.

"Concerning third countries setting up investor citizenship schemes, which may have security implications for the EU, the Commission will monitor investor citizenship schemes in candidate countries and potential candidates as part of the EU accession process. It will also monitor the impact of such schemes by EU visa-free countries as part of the visa-suspension mechanism," the EC Report said.

The part of the report on "third countries" states that candidate countries and potential candidates for EU membership "become more attractive to investors" given the prospect of becoming their citizens and the citizens of the EU.

This is, as stated in the EC Report, already the case as the citizens of the candidate countries and potential candidates have the right to enter the Schengen countries "for short stays," or for three months during the year.

“Investor residence schemes, while different from citizenship schemes in the rights they grant pose equally serious security risks to the Member States and the EU as a whole. A valid residence permit gives a third-country national the right to reside in the Member State in question, but also to travel freely in the Schengen area. While EU law regulates the entry conditions for certain categories of third-country nationals, the granting of investor residence permits is currently not regulated at EU level and remains a national competence,” says the Official Report.

The report maps the existing practices and identifies certain risks such schemes imply for the EU, in particular, as regards security, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. "A lack of transparency in how the schemes are operated and a lack of cooperation among the Member States further exacerbate these risks," the report finds.

It is expected, furthermore, that the countries concerned will have very robust systems for monitoring these programs, including systems to combat possible security risks, such as money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption and infiltration of organized crime related to such programs. The EC sent a warning to the possibility of suspending the visa-free regime to Moldova, which is the third country mentioned in the report. In 2013, Moldova signed an EU Accession Treaty with the EU to apply the visa-free regime that has been in force since 2009 for Montenegro and most of the Western Balkan countries since the following year.

25 January 2019 - Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro has recently claimed the Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award at the Conventa 2019 in Slovenia.

The 11^th Conventa (2019), an international conference dedicated to the future of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and travel marketing, took place on the 23 and 24 of January at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Conventa has become the leading marketplace for the meeting industry of South East and New Europe. The trade show facilitates personal contacts between an international hosted buyer community and the wide choice of meetings supplier businesses from South East Europe.

This year, the conference included more than 400 people holding more than 3300 meetings! Exhibitors came from 15 different countries, while hosted buyers from 44. The meetings were held in Marmorna Hall of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Every year, Conventa rewards extraordinary achievements in the “meetings industry”. Thus, aside from the meetings, Conventa 2019 included the Meetings Star Award Ceremony, where the winners and finalists among the best meeting destinations, hotels, and convention centres were announced. Since its inception, the Meetings Star Award has become known among the circle of event organisers and in the profession as one of the few that is awarded by established standards and criteria. Kongress magazine and Conventa confers the awards for the best congress destinations, hotels, congress centres and events in New Europe.

The Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award went to Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel in Tivat. The Regent Porto Montenegro was awarded by the jury that visited the hotel in 2018 without prior notice.

In the overall score system, the Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro was awarded a rating of 4,96 out of 5 points. The sales director of the hotel Regent Porto Montenegro, Ivan Gajić, received the award on behalf of the hotel.

Regent Porto Montenegro is a beautiful luxury hotel with personal service on the waterfront of the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor in the heart of Porto Montenegro Village, the glittering residential and glamorous superyacht homeport. The hotel offers a superb choice of event venues. The 250 square meters of function facilities are ideal for events ranging from intimate private dinners to business conferences and weddings. The professional team of the hotel dedicates its attention to every single detail offering impeccable service according to the customers’ needs. Providing a perfect meeting spot with special conference packages prepared in advance, full conference and banqueting equipment and sophisticated luxury setting, Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro has proudly claimed its Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award.

Montenegrin cuisine offers a wide range of various dishes - from fish, mussels, seafood and alike on the coast to much “heavier” meals such as kačamak, homemade sausages, “lamb in milk” and alike in the north.

One of the most famous food bloggers in Montenegro is surely someone everyone would like to meet and perhaps taste some of his delicious recipes that you can find on his blog Damirove gastrolomije and medium Blog 

Damir Moskov lives in Tivat and is actually a Marketing Executive in one of the most successful development projects currently ongoing in Boka bay, but at the same time a husband, a father and an enormous lover of food and cooking, which, as he says, was always there but in the last few years developed in a more pressing engagement.

Damir likes to share his ideas for making fantastic meals which you can find on his blogs such as recipes for making great breakfast, lunch or dinner, but also salads, quick meals, and a few sweet bites. In addition to these, there are also recipes for dishes from all around the world which he tastes on his journeys and then conveys with real ingredients and real food which, at least it seems so, can be easily prepared in your kitchen.

As Damir says, he is a great lover of the Asian cuisine, and therefore there are many recipes from this part of the world such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Nuddle stir fry, curries, Thai curry, Ramen, etc.

Also, there are other interesting recipes from all around the world, such as Mexican tacos and tuna salad, French Croque Madame sandwich, Sicilian Caponata, etc.

Recently, Damir was a guest on a popular TV show “Mr. Kitchen”, where he prepared three famous local dishes from Boka Bay including fish, mussels and “black” (squid ink) risotto. You can watch the entire show and try to make these delicious dishes at your home here:

In anticipation of publishing some more recipes (perhaps in English – although the ‘translate’ button works fine on Instagram) in the future, we hope this article triggered you to prepare and try some new dishes by following Damir’s great recipes and his blog/Instagram profile “Damirove

gastrolomije

”.

January 25, 2019 - The 44Cup Porto Montenegro (10-14^th April) will be hosted by world-renowned superyacht marina, Porto Montenegro. This prestigious tour of one design boats, taking place during the second week of April, brings together sailing and business, allowing amateur helmsmen to compete with the world’s top sailors in some of the world’s most beautiful locations, reported the company Adriatic Marinas.

"We are excited to host the fleet for the first time in Porto Montenegro and Montenegro in general. Throughout the years, we've been working hard on improving sailing in the Boka Bay, bringing numerous international regattas and professional sailors to our waters. Hosting the 44Cup marks another level of events here at Porto Montenegro – we look forward to the races," said David Margason, Managing Director, Porto Montenegro.

Porto Montenegro is situated in Tivat in the Bay of Kotor, virtually landlocked from the sea. Its setting is spectacular, nestled between mountains and vast fjords to Venetian hamlets and untouched parks. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Montenegro is firmly on its ascent as a tourist destination.

“I think it won't be that windy, but it is very beautiful and I am looking forward to going there - it's great to take the fleet to new venues," said Charisma's Nico Poons, who will be hoping a good result in Montenegro will put him on firm footing to defend his 44Cup title.

A strong, enthusiastic group of owners including Bake, 2018 circuit winner Nico Poons, reigning World Champion Vladimir Prosikhin, plus Artemis Racing's Torbjörn Törnqvist, Team CEEREF's Igor Lah, Peninsula Petroleum's John Bassadone, Bronenosec Sailing Team's Vladimir Liubomirov and Kirill Frolov, Aleph Racing's Hugues Lepic, among others, remain staunchly committed to both the 44Cup and the Russell Coutts-inspired one design yacht they still very much enjoy racing with. This season, they will be joined by a new boat belonging to the Tavatuy Sailing Team.

"The RC44 is very elegant and ahead of its time," continues Bake. "We can race it well in 5 knots or 25 knots. It has all the intricacies like the trim tab that we can thank Russell for. For owner and drivers, it is thrilling to sail, a delight and - at times - a challenge, to steer. But best of all you get to experience Grand Prix racing at its highest level, sailing with some of the world's top crew, but with costs controlled. It is a strict one design, numbers of pro sailors and new sails are limited, plus the boat was designed to fit into a standard 40ft container for easy shipping."

“We are proud to be the silver sponsor of the race as well as the home-port for all race professionals. We are also looking forward to welcoming spectators who are booking our package which is thoughtfully curated around the race and which enables us to showcase bespoke service, elements of the local lifestyle, wellness and gourmet offerings. We are delighted to commence the 2019 season with this exceptional even," stated Kai Dieckmann, General Manager of the Regent Hotel

44Cup Events Schedule 2019

The 44Cup returns north to the west side of the Istrian peninsula. Located some 70km south of Portoroz, and in Croatia rather than Slovenia, Rovinj was last visited by the fleet in 2011 for the Adris RC44 World Championship. Taking place over late May-early June, the Adris 44Cup, Rovinj, will be the local regatta for Team CEEREF's Igor Lah. In 2018, Team CEEREF just fell short of securing a consecutive hat trick of wins in the 44Cup, following victories in 2016 and 2017.

For its third and fourth events, the 44Cup returns to more familiar territory. First in mid-July is Marstrand, where the locals and sailing fans on this famous Swedish summer holiday hotspot will be rooting for Artemis Racing and her Swedish owner-driver, Torbjörn Törnqvist. Then in early October, it is on to a favorite venue for the fleet – Cascais, Portugal – where the boats will once again get to race in the big waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The fifth and final event of the 2019 44Cup will take place in a venue that is extremely well known in the yacht racing community, but where, surprisingly, the RC44s will be making their debut – Palma de Majorca, Spain.

Both Nico Poons and Chris Bake have raced in Palma before, but not for a long time. "I last raced in Palma nine or ten years ago with the Swan 45," recounts Poons. "And that was in the middle of the summer, not at the end of the season. It will be a new challenge."

44Cup Porto Montenegro - Montenegro - April 10 to 14

Adris 44Cup – Croatia - May 29 to June 2

44Cup Marstrand – Sweden - July 9 to 13

44Cup Cascais – Portugal - October 2 to 6

44Cup Palma – Spain - Nov 13 to 17

The public bidding call for a bicycle purchase subvention was announced today and will be open for 15 days, ending on February 8^th, according to the statement from the Capital. "The capital has started the project 'Podgorica on two wheels', within which it will subsidize the purchase of bicycles for citizens. The 2019 budget envisages funds in the amount of 10,000 euros to be subsidized for 50% of the price of the bicycle, or up to a hundred euros," the Deputy Mayor Sladjana Vujacic stated at the start of the project.

She reminded that the procedure starts with citizens' registration, so the first 50 citizens applying and submitting the application for the project, with a copy of the ID card and a pre-invoice with a precise specification will be considered as potential recipients of subventions.

"Once the committee determines which citizens are the recipients of the subsidy, they will have to provide additional documentation, which implies proof on the place of residence, because the beneficiaries of the subsidy must be residents of the capital and that within one family only one member can be a subsidy user," Vujačić said.

She emphasized that the signing of a contract with the Capital would follow in which they will regulate mutual rights and obligations. Also, an integral part of the contract will be the evaluation clause, as the aim is to make the evaluation of the project after six months in order to highlight its further justification and existence. "There will be a register of serial numbers of subsidized bicycles that will be delivered to the Police Administration to prevent all possible abuses and provide a quick and efficient response in the event of their theft," concluded Vujačic.

After signing the contract and buying the bicycles, citizens must provide the invoice with a precise specification and a fiscal bill and 15 days after the delivery of the same the funds will be paid into their bank account.

The Capital thanked the partners from the organization Biciklo.me for providing support during the project implementation as well as on the assistance offered for its evaluation.

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

The Tourist Organization of Podgorica, in cooperation with JUK Herceg Fest and the Tourist Organization Herceg Novi, organized a parade with the caravan "Praznik mimoze" in Podgorica.

The majorettes, along with the popular City Music, marched through the main street, from the beginning of Sloboda street (at Hilton Hotel) to the Independence Square, where they performed the final show.

This is the way to mark the beginning of the jubilee, the 50th "Parznik Mimoze", the oldest manifestation in Montenegro, traditionally organized in February in Herceg Novi.

In honor of the jubilee, this year's event will last 50 days, and the opening ceremony is scheduled for February 1^st, with the concert of Zdravko Colic.

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

At the Aroma Market Center in Podgorica, Donja Gorica, the prizes to the lucky winners in the contest "Beer and Prizes, can it be any better?" were awarded.

The awards were presented by the representatives of the Domestic Trade Company (Domaca trgovina), whose members are Aroma Markets, Conto Discounts and companies Calsberg Montenegro.

The main prize, a Fiat 500, was awarded to Rajko Banovic, who on this occasion said that for him this was a surprise and very valuable. 

Many valuable prizes were awarded

"Of course, when we have the car as the main prize, among others, then this implies that it is a very successful company with a wide network of business partners. Upon the news that I just won the Grand Prize, a Fiat 500, the first reaction was disbelief and then the excitement that may be compared to the moment when a dear friend treats you with a long-awaited gift," the winner of the first prize added.

On behalf of the Domestic Trade Company, the winners were addressed by the Procurement director Aleksandra Medojevic.

"It's really a great feeling when we, together with our consumers and partners from Carlsberg, organize such events and give away valuable prizes. We are always striving to provide our customers with quality assortments and pricing advantages regarding promotions as well as intensive work on expanding our sales network because we are a store that wants to be close to our consumers."

Other prizes were awarded in addition to the car, and the lucky winners were Edin Canovic, Jelena Nenezi, and Jelena Djukic.

Let’s recall, the contest in Aroma Markets and Conto Discounts began on December 3^rd, 2018 and lasted until December 31^st, 2018, where the main prize was a FIAT 500.

Buyers can expect similar activities as well as many promotional and price advantages in the coming period.

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

24 January 2019 - On January 25, basketball team Budućnost Voli (Montenegro) will play the Round 20 game against Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain). The match will take place at the Sports Centre Morača in Podgorica.

Norris Cole has been sensational for Budućnost, using his one-on-one skills to score both from deep and attacking the basket and he finds the open man around the rims. Gran Canaria relies on veteran playmaker Albert Oliver to control the game tempo. Oliver must use his basketball IQ and experience to slow Cole in what promises to be a fun-to-watch matchup.

The Spanish representatives won the first interim duel in Las Palmas 95:85, and so far in the competition, they have six victories.

The regional champion, Budućnost Voli has one triumph less, and the club has won the last two matches at home. Budućnost recorded victories against the Baskonia (99:84), CSKA Moscow (93:92), Barcelona (67:64), Darussafaka (75:74) and Real (73:60).

Still, the club recorded defeats in front of their fans against Olimpia Milano (82:71), Maccabi (78:68), Panathinaikos (72:67), Žalgiris (72:60) and Fenerbahce (89:65). Budućnost was also defeated by Anadolu Efes (106: 68) and Darussafaka (71:63) in Istanbul, Khimki in the Moscow region (85:69), Olympiacos in Athens (90:72), Real in Madrid (89:55), Bayern in Munich (93:88), Olimpia Milano in Milan (111: 94) and Maccabi in Tel Aviv (81:76).

Coach of the club Jasmin Repeša said that Gran Canaria is a great team, which has been at the top of the ACB league for years.

"If we want to win, we have to attack Gran Canaria with strong defence. Gran Canaria is a team that exasperates a very fast game, with a lot of transition, three-point shots and offensive jump balls. The focus in defence must be at an extremely high level from the first to the last minute. We have shown that we are able to play at a good defensive level against Real," Repeša said for News Agency MINA.

The defense has been Gran Canaria's main problem all season long. Gran Canaria allows a competition-high 87.2 points on average on 57.3% two-point shooting and 39.5% from downtown. Improving those numbers is mandatory for the Spanish powerhouse. With so many injured players in its backcourt, Albert Oliver and Xavi Rabaseda will play a critical role, as well as versatile forward Oriol Pauli, who will see playing time at point guard.

The center of Budućnost Voli Filip Barović said that Budućnost is waiting for Gran Canaria in good shape. "We have won four of the last five games. And even at the match that we lost, we played great and led the score until the last quarter. We have to enter the game as against Real Madrid and keep control throughout the match," Barović said for MINA Agency.

Budućnost has allowed 83.7 points on average this season, but only 67.0 in its last two of games. That improved defensive mentality has allowed Budućnost to be much more competitive. Keeping Goga Bitadze out of foul trouble will be critical for the hosts, who will look to run the offense through Cole and an inspired Coty Clarke, who registered career highs in rebounds (12) and PIR (25) against Madrid last week.

The duel at the Sports Centre Morača (Podgorica) starts at 7 pm.

Source: MINA Agency, Euroleague Official Website

24 January 2019 - At today's session, the Government of Montenegro passed the Montenegro Economic Reform Programme 2019-2021, as the most important document in the economic dialogue with the European Union. The Economic Reform Programme is also a strategic document for medium-term macroeconomic and fiscal programming, which also contains the accompanying agenda of structural reforms necessary for reducing or eliminating obstacles to economic growth and strengthening competitiveness. Montenegro's strategic development goal defined by the programme is a sustainable and inclusive economic growth that will contribute to reducing the development gap about the EU average and increasing the quality of life of citizens. The programme is entirely consistent with the annual Budget Law and the Medium-Term Budget Framework, as well as the strategic development documents of Montenegro.

The Cabinet also passed the Agrobudget for 2019 amounting to 52.4 million EUR (31% more than last year).

Customs Tariff Regulation for 2019 was also approved, which specifies the level of customs rates for this year, in line with the dynamics established by the Law on the Confirmation of the Protocol on the Accession of Montenegro to the Marrakesh Agreement on the Establishment of the World Trade Organisation. The basic changes relate to the reduction of customs rates and changes in the nomenclature. Annex I of the Protocol on the Accession of Montenegro to the WTO for a certain number of products from the Customs Tariff (mainly agricultural products) defines the so-called "the ultimate upper boundary restriction," which represents the rate of duty to be applied by Montenegro up to a specific date on imports of those products. It is stipulated that the reduction of customs rates will be implemented annually in the same stages, starting from the date of accession of Montenegro to the WTO.

24 January 2019 - The fifth Small Orange Festival will be held in Herceg Novi on Saturday, January 26 from 10 am to 2 pm at the pedestrian zone of Njegoševa street, with numerous exhibitors, a donor's table, an orange meal workshop, and a rich musical program. The organiser of the festival is NGO Ruke.

"A lot of exhibitors and guests have already shown great interest for the fifth Small Orange Festival. A total of 35 exhibitors have applied, who will present products and delicacies made out of bitter and sweet oranges. There is a lot of interest for the donors’ tables as well, and the funds that will be collected will be sent to children with special needs," Milina Kovačević from the NGO Ruke said for News Agency Boka News.

This unique festival that people from Herceg Novi can’t help but adore has been giving a new dimension to the promotion of creativity, handmade products, and good vibes for years and thus it became a traditional event.

In addition to 35 exhibitors, many participants will present their offer at the donor tables, such as restaurants, various associations, bakers, florists, and many others.

The visitors of this lovely small festival will be able to taste orange flavoured salty and sweet delicacies, but also to buy delicious food products, jams, cakes, cookies, as well as various handicrafts, souvenirs, jewellery etc.

This is the fifteenth festival organised by NGO Ruke and successfully managed by Maja Erenji Hare Braun and Milina Kovačević. The result of their long-standing persevering engagement of all members of the association to promote healthy lifestyles as well as creativity and entrepreneurship is branding products such as orange jam, fig jam and ginger jam, as well as and pomegranate juice. These products are often ordered as "edible souvenirs" from other cities, not only from Herceg Novi.

The Small Orange Festival is a beautiful and dreamy story of Herceg Novi that you just don’t want to miss! You can find more information on how Orange Flavour Will Spice Up the Jubilee 50^th Mimosa Festival at TMN’s dedicated page.