27 December 2018 - The Government passed the Draft Law on Life Partnership of Same-Sex Partners, Blanka Radošević Marović, Director-General at the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, said at a press conference following the Cabinet session.

She explained that this draft law is based on the most widespread model for the organisation of same-sex life partnership. Before developing the draft law, the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, as the proposer, made detailed analyses in order to determine the model of arranging the relations of two persons of the same sex in the way that best corresponds to the Montenegrin conditions. The current legal framework regulating those areas that are important for the adoption of this law, in particular the Constitution of Montenegro, the Family Law, the Law on Inheritance, the Law on Health Insurance, the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance, and others, have been thoroughly analysed. The provisions of the draft law contain adequate and acceptable solutions that regulate the life partnership of two persons of the same sex.

Most of the rights and obligations under this this law are related to a set of basic human rights known from everyday life, said Ms Radošević Marović, adding that in many families, marital and extra-marital communities, those members who are not employed are enabled to exercise the right to health care through their spouses who are employed, the right to social protection of persons in a state of social need, the right to a common and special property, and the disposal of the same, the right to inherit the property of the deceased partner, the right to inherit the pension, and a number of others rights and obligations arising from a common life. Enabling persons of the same sex to exercise these rights by no means endangers or diminishes the rights of others, nor will it in any way change or affect the exercise of the rights of other persons who are not members of the LGBTI population.

The principle that all people are equal without regard to any personal property (race, skin colour, nationality, language, religion, political affiliation, disability, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.), in modern societies represents more than a legal standard, Ms Radošević Marović stressed. She also added that national LGBTI policy had made significant progress in recent years. We still have a lot of work to do, because the protection of human rights, especially vulnerable groups, is a social process that requires time. The legal framework has been improved, policies for the protection of human rights of vulnerable groups have been created, and programmes of support for members of the community regarding their social inclusion have been developed. The partnership with the non-governmental sector in the area of protection of the rights and freedoms of LGBTI people has been strengthened.

Radošević Marović underlined the active commitment and readiness of the LGBTI community and NGOs dealing with this area in the process of developing this law, as well as the realisation of joint activities.

27 December 2018 - 3D Military Radar represents the most contemporary military devices that improve the function of a classic military radar. Detected information contains distance, direction and speed concerning the radar position.

If the available information includes distance and azimuth, it is 2D radar. If the height is present too, then it is a 3D Military Radar.

Ministry of Defense is planning to provide 3D Military radar for the supervision of airspace of Montenegro. The radar would be set up on Bjelasica, reads the long-term defense development plan for the period 2019-2025.

“This radar will enable full operation ability for generating the image of the situation of the airspace in Montenegro,” reads the document.

Military analyst Aleksandar Radić says that there were two options possible when it came to the analysis of the radar set-up: Vrsuta, near Bar, and Bjelasica.

“In the previous document, Vrsuta was a chosen location. However, meanwhile, an agreement with SMATSA was confirmed. Using this agreement, SMATSA will take the radar at its own expense, positioning it at Vrsuta hill and transferring the image to the operation center at the Airport in Golubovci that will be integrated into the NATO system anti-air and anti-racket defense. Therefore, SMATSA is buying three radars, two of them will be in Serbia and one in Montenegro. The one in Vrsuta will be civil, whereas the one set in Bjelasica will be a military radar,” explains Radić.

Provision of the radar in Bjelasica is a whole different story. As Radić says, there are two options.

“One option is a temporary delay of the purchase and borrowing the radar from  NATO or some other Member State. The other option is to start the purchase procedure as soon as possible. In this case, that will be more than €20 million. It’s an expensive investment especially considering that Montenegro bought three helicopters worth €30 million. That’s why we asked NATO to provide support in bridging the lack of resources. It’s still very uncertain, but the expert commission will decide what to do in that sense at the beginning of 2019,” says Radić.

The Ministry of Defence plans to spend 215 million EUR for procurement of equipment by 2028, while the investments will increase by 82% and in 2028 will amount to 145 million EUR, suggests the Defence long-term Development Plan 2019-2028.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

27 December 2018 - Prime Minister Duško Marković officially opened the newly-built Terminal 2 of the Tivat Airport – the first investment after the current Tivat airport building was built in 2006. The Prime Minister said that the cooperation between the Government and the Management of the Airports of Montenegro is an example that should be followed by others in the country. 

"The investment that begins its test work today is an urgent and indispensable response to the serious infrastructure congestion of the Tivat airport that came as a result of intensive tourism growth, and an increase in the number of passengers coming to Montenegro. It is this kind of attitude towards state goods that I want to see as the practice and action of responsible people. Notice the problem, make a decision and implement it. The Government will – just like in this, and any other case – stand behind such an approach," the Prime Minister stressed. 

PM Marković noted that the Airport Management proposed to the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs and to the Government to build additional facilities in Tivat and Podgorica, which in the short term can provide necessary comfort for passengers, as well as the functionality of airport services, especially during the tourist season. 

"The Government accepted this and around EUR 3.5 million was invested in this facility, and for the facility that will be built in Podgorica, the Airports will need to allocate another EUR 2 million with the consent of the Government," Prime Minister Duško Marković said.

Executive Director of the Airports of Montenegro Danilo Orlandić reminded the current terminal building was built in 2006.

"Twelve years later, Montenegro is a stable country, recognised and respected throughout the world and a member of NATO. That is why many renowned airlines have decided to travel to our country, the last of which is Lufthansa. New capacities and improved conditions at Tivat Airport were the key points of the final agreement with the most important European company and the seventh at the global level, which will connect Montenegro from April to Frankfurt and Munich, its main hubs. For the last two years, Montenegro was linked with 30 new destinations, the number of served passengers has increased by 600,000, and it was about time to increase our capacities," the Executive Director of the Airports of Montenegro highlighted.

A representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - the organisation that took part in the project - Miodrag Dragišić, said that Terminal 2 was built following the principles of energy efficiency: from facade materials and insulation, through modern equipment, modern air conditioning systems and ventilation, to lighting. 

"This will contribute not only to the comfort of passengers and staff, but also to the significant financial savings and environmental protection. It is imperative that next year, the energy management system will be established as part of the carbon accreditation process of the Airports of Montenegro. This will make the business more acceptable regarding climate change, and the Airports of Montenegro will be among the first in the region that recognised the importance of this international certificate," the UNDP representative said. 

Speaking about the advantages that will be achieved by investments in the Airports of Montenegro, Prime Minister Duško Marković said that the connection of Montenegro with the European metropolises, in addition to further improving the availability of Montenegro as a tourist destination, ensures better connection with citizens of Montenegro who have gone abroad to work or to be educated. 

"The direct lines to Vienna, Rome, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, Belgrade, Istanbul, Moscow, Zurich and Stockholm are important for maintaining connections with them," the Prime Minister said. 

He recalled that over the past years a lot has been done to ensure that air transport is not just a privilege of rich people. 

"We are proud to announce the beginning of Lufthansa lines to our airports, but nothing less important is the availability of many cheap flights to the cities of Western Europe. Our European integration is based and evolves on mobility, freedom of movement and economic exchange. That's why our airports are inevitable on this road too. The need for accelerated economic development of the country implies the development of our entire infrastructure, and one of the first tasks is the development and full valorisation of the airports. Development opportunities should not wait, nor do the chances happen again. Success in air transport must not disguise the challenges in other segments of transport. Especially when it comes to the rather burdened infrastructure of the Bay of Kotor, where a lot of work is waiting for us," PM Marković emphasised. 

The Prime Minister recalled the last week's announcement that the rate of economic growth in the third quarter of this year amounts to a full 5%, and is the third highest growth rate in Europe. 

"The growth rates of our economy in the past two years and the permanent growth of the number of tourists and passengers tell us that Montenegro is a destination in which people will come and invest, and even more will be invested," Prime Minister Marković concluded. 

The new 3,000 m² terminal contains six counters for checking passengers, two checkers, a modern sorting service for luggage servicing and a room for representatives of airlines, police, customs, etc. 

December 27, 2018 - NVU Karampana, in cooperation with the co-organizer the Tourist Organization Kotor, and under the sponsorships of the Kotor Municipality, organizes a series of events within the project "From Christmas to Christmas" from December 23^rd to January 8^th, 2019.

"This year we are presenting a rich program of twelve manifestations and events that will be organized in our city," said the NGO "Karampana". The event began with the New Year's concert by Kotor City Music, and it continued on Christmas Eve on December 24^th, when “priganice” were served in front of the city's main gate to all citizens and guests.

Friday, December 28th is reserved for the cutest and the youngest. At 10:00 am, the Children's New Year Bazaar will be held in front of the main city doors, where the children from the kindergarten and Kotor schools will present the works that they prepared with their teachers. In case of rain, the location for the bazaar will be the Shopping Center "Kamelija". On the same day in the Church of St. The Ghost at 8 p.m. there will be a concert by the quartet "Lords of the Strings".

Saturday, December 29^th is the New Year's Bazaar of Crafts at the Riva promenade at 10 a.m. The big New Year's Tombola will be organized on the same day in front of the city tavern "Dojmi" at 11 am, and the organizers have provided valuable prizes for all participants. In case of bad weather for both events, the host will be SC Kamelija.

At the Piazza from 8 p.m., visitors will hear the famous tones and hits “Anđele moj” and “Aj ća volin’ te” by klapa "Kampanel". An alternative location in case of bad weather will be JU Cultural Center "Nikola Đurković" at the same hours.

Santa Claus and his elves have prepared a variety of surprises, which the youngest must not miss. The students of the Vida Matjan Music School will participate in the reception for the children. They will also have the opportunity to enjoy an interactive show titled "Let's Love - This is the Year of Love."

"Like every year, the unavoidable part of the Children’s New Year's program is the distribution of New Year's packages, which Kotor’s Santa Claus will distribute for all the present children," Karampana.

For children who, due to health problems, cannot attend the reception, NGO Karampana has organized the delivery of the New Year's packages at 12 pm at the Kotor General Hospital. It is a continuation of the "Fairytale for Health" action which started in 2015 as part of the project "From Christmas to Christmas."

The Children’s New Year will be followed by a musical happening entitled "Kotor- City of Good Music." The audience will be entertained by Who See, Niggor & Jelena Kženegra.

"The beginning of the New Year will be marked on January 3, 2019, under the title “Experience the Hundred,” where we will organize a special music program and the New Year's tombola with various prizes," said Karampana.

The Christmas Concert of the Serbian Singing Society "Jedinstvo" is scheduled for the 4 January in the church of St. Nicholas at 6 pm.

"Karampana" invites citizens and guests of Kotor to join the event announced for 5 January. "A humanitarian evening is dedicated to all Kotor originals, and all the proceeds from the sale of sausages and wine will be intended for the purchase of new instruments for Kotor City Music," the organizers said.

As for the Catholic Christmas Eve, Kotor will prepare “priganice” to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas Eve, which will be served in front of the central city gates on January 6 at 10 am.

The sixth “From Christmas to Christmas" manifestation ends on January 8th with the gastronomic specialities of Kotor hosts, which will be presented within the framework of the "Papalada ala maka."

"Thanks to the support we received, without which this project could not be so successful, we owe the first place to Luštica Bay, which already traditionally helps the project “From Christmas to Christmas.” Also, thanks for the support and infrastructure assistance of the Municipality of Kotor, La Mia Casa from Podgorica and our colleagues by enthusiasm - Ocean Lava Montenegro," said Karampan with the invitation to attend the programs and the message “the New Year's Magic can begin."

Text by Boka news, on December 25th 2018, read more at Boka news

December 27, 2018 - Through the Secretariat for Culture and Education, the local government will provide full support to the organization of auditions, rehearsals, performances and all other activities within this project aimed at youth. Children from Herceg Novi will participate in the project "Montenegro in the rhythm of Europe", which was formalized by the Municipality of Herceg Novi and the organizer of this event. Through the Secretariat for Culture and Education, the local government will provide full support to the organization of auditions, rehearsals, performances and all other activities within this project aimed at young people.

"Children from Herceg Novi will show their musical and dance talents in auditions. For about twenty of those who will be chosen as the most prominent by the jury of the event, rehearsals will be organized from February to April, after which they will perform at the central competition in Tivat. The team of our city will represent, with their performance, one of the countries that have an embassy in Montenegro and, of course, our city," explains the secretary for culture and education Ana Zambelić Pištalo.

She adds that participating in this creative project is another way of supporting the children and youth in the Municipality of Herceg Novi, in developing their creativity and openness, creating new friendships and acquiring knowledge. The Secretariat will coordinate this project in Herceg Novi, in cooperation with all schools and professional team of the organization.

"Montenegro in the rhythm of Europe" is the main action of the European Union diplomats in Montenegro.

This musical and scenic event is supported by the ambassadors of European countries and is designed following the European Charter on the participation of young people in everyday life at the municipal and regional level and other European documents dealing with youth issues.

Text by Boka news, on December 26th 2018, read more at Boka news

December 27, 2018 - Mayor of Budva Dragan Krapović presented a new strategic project in Budva - a traffic solution for the city center through converting the streets of November 22^nd and the Mediterranean into the boulevards and building a roundabout near the Main post office. Krapović reiterated that the Municipality proposed four strategic projects, which would give Budva an entirely new look.

"After we stabilized finances and total opportunities and entered the regular work area and established the system after many years, we came to the situation that after only two years we offer some strategic projects that would significantly improve the lives of all the people in Budva. Firstly, I mean the already presented project of paving Grdjevica, on two garages in the center of the city that would finally solve the problem of parking in Budva. For this project, we have the investor's interest and some solutions offered, and this will be disclosed quickly," said Krapovic.

He added that the Municipality believes that it is crucial to get a modern Mediterranean promenade.

"These three projects would bring a completely new, orderly and more functional city to the citizens, and a better, more comfortable and more desirable destination for our guests. Today we want to present you a traffic solution for the city center - November 22^nd street, which, worth 800 thousand euros, is in the plan of investments for 2019, a roundabout near the Main post office and then a new solution for Mediterranean street. If we were to implement these four projects in the next five to seven years, which is not unrealistic because we did not offer megalomaniac fantasies, I believe we would get a new functional city and an extremely competitive destination for the next 50 years," said Krapovic.

The presentation of the project was done by the docent dr. Biljana Ivanović, a graduate Construction Engineer.

Text by Vuk Lajovic, on December 26th 2018, read more at Vijesti

December 27, 2018 - The Old Year regatta, organized by YC Delfin Tivat, is scheduled for 31 December at the Tivat Bay. This event was launched last year by the renowned Tivat sailor and skipper Dejan Farkaš. The race attracted a large number of local sailors, and the visual spectacle they made for the citizens and guests was one of the accents of last year's holiday program in Tivat. That's why they decided to include the Old Year Regatta in their calendar for this year with the intent to make this gathering traditional in the years to come.

23 December 2018 - The Ministry of Defence plans to spend 215 million EUR for procurement of equipment by 2028, while the investments will increase by 82% and in 2028 will amount to 145 million EUR, suggests the Defence long-term Development Plan 2019-2028.

Moreover, the infrastructural projects will require around 30 million EUR, while during the period from 2019 to 2024, the defence expenditures are projected at 1.73% in 2020, i.e. 2% in 2024.

“Based on the current estimations of GDP growth, it’s planned to gradually increase the volume of funds for defence purposes, which means the defence spending by 2024 will amount to around 40 million EUR,” the Plan reveals.

The Ministry plans to keep the level of investments at 2% for the period 2024-2028.

Ministry recently considered getting 30 million EUR credit loan for buying 67 armored vehicles.

Also, during the September 2018, Armed Forces of Montenegro bought two new  Bell 412 EP/EPI multi-purpose helicopters. Bell 412 EP/EPI multi-purpose four-wheeled helicopters are designed for the transport of passengers, injured and sick people, search and rescue, cargo transfer, fire extinguishing, and border control. The capacity of the delivered version is 13 seats.

As far as the missions in which Montenegrin soldiers take part, the budget predicted 2.294.456 EUR for the fees in the missions and the payments fort he field work, accommodation in camps and barracks as well as for the engagement of soldiers in recovering consequences caused by natural disasters.

23 December 2018 - Prime Minister Duško Marković stated in his traditional address at the end of the year that 2018 has been successful for government of Montenegro in both domestic and foreign policy terms., that Montenegro has confirmed itself as a credible member of NATO and that it has maintained the dynamics of negotiations with the EU. He pointed out that he considers economic results the greatest success.