November 1, 2018 - An investor from Russia is interested in Hipotekarna Bank, but there is also an interest from Israel, said Central Bank Governor Radoje Zugic, stressing that he will soon know what was decided on this issue.

He said that it does not matter how much someone is paying for the bank, but to protect all current assets through the resources of a potential investor.

"There is interest, but it must have two conditions - investor reputations and adequate exports of clean money and enough cash flow to provide huge deposits that we have from a sufficient source of funds of potential investors," said Žugić at a press conference organized for the occasion of “Week of Saving”.

CBMN, he added, performs daily monitoring of two banks due to the deterioration of liquidity and solvency parameters, and will try to recover them. Although these banks are not systemically important, they will only get specific information about whether there is a risk that some of them will go bankrupt.

"The Deposit Protection Fund has enough coverage. If the worst-case scenario takes place, and I hope that it will not, there will be no problem paying off all guaranteed deposits," said Zugic.

Commenting on interest rates, the governor said that leaders of the commercial banks are demanding that they are not transparent.

"CBMN has decided to transparently display each bank at interest rate levels in order to have a clear client relation in the level of interest rates," Zugic said.

Text by Dnevne novine on November 1st, 2018, read more at CdM

November 1, 2018 - Montenegrin national team players Stefan Savic and Adam Marusic could change their clubs in January. Two clubs from Italy and one from England are interested in Savic.

Although they are doing great in the Serie A (six points more than Napoli) and the Champions League (three victories), Juventus is considering bringing in new reinforcements, and among the potential candidates to come to Turin is the defender of Atletico Madrid, announced calciomercato.com.

The Montenegrin defender has recently returned to the pitch after a break due to an injury he suffered on September 10^th in a national team game for the Nations League and he is currently not the first choice of Diego Simeon. 

However, not only Juventus has this idea. Milan is interested in Savic, who needs reinforcements in order to become a serious competitor in the battle for the place that leads to the Champions League. If Juve or Milan send a satisfactory offer to Atletico and Savic, it would be the return of the 28-year-old player to Serie A, where he played for Fiorentina from 2012 to 2015. He came to Florence from Manchester City, who BeIN Sports is also in ocontact with the defender from our national team.

The former FC Borca and Partizan player was a member in the 2011-12 season, having played 12 games in the Premier League. Apparently, Pep Guardiola believes that our ace will significantly boost competition in the central part of the defense, but the more realistic possibility is that Savic will return to Italy if a transfer from Atletico takes place. 

Adam Marusic (26), a player who covers the right side of the field in Lazio, could go to England, however. He arrived in Rome in the summer of 2017 from Belgium's Ostend, and played brilliantly in last season, in which Simone Inzaghi's team in the final round remained without a place in the Champions League. Though his team is not so strong this year and lost all the duels against stronger rivals in Serie A, Marusic remained interesting to the giants. Liverpool and Tottenham are battling it for him, though their plans could be spoiled by Borussia Dortmund.

Text by Pobjeda, on November 1st, 2018, read more at CdM

November 1, 2018 - On the Torre Guaceto beach in Brindisi, Italy, a bottle with a strip of this year's Herceg Novi Strip Festival was found, confirming the photograph in the hands of a certain Dominic, published on the FB page of the Italian branch of international organization Thalassia.

"We are very surprised. The Italian branch of the Wildlife Conservation Group Thalassia Coop put on its FB page that a certain Dominic had found a bottle with the strip inside. Everyone knows that over the last few days in Italy there was a great hurdle. They probably cleaned the beaches and the stormy south is covered with all sorts of rubbish. Among the waste was also our bottle with the strip. They posted a very nice comment on their FB site, where they tagged HSF. We could read the very nice words: "After the rain and the waves, the muddy rivers and winds from the storm... There are sea gifts!" They wrote this, with the gratitude that the Herceg Novi Strip Festival gave them this emotion, typical for some of the past times," said Herceg Novi Strip Festival's PR Nebojsa Mandić.

“On each of the comic strips in a bottle, down to the sea from the catamaran Trojan at the entrance to Boka Bay, the author's name and the marked edition of the festival are written in the English and Italian language. Therefore, it was not difficult for Italian "inventors" to identify who to thank for "the special emotion, typical for some of the past times". It's a comic that was drawn by Iztok Sitar, our friend and a faithful participant of all our manifestations in the city under Orjen“. Mandić emphasized that in their comment, Thalassia Coop mentions HFS as a well-known manifestation.

Herceg Novi Strip Festival is well-known in Italy

“The bottle was found in Brindisi, where 3-4 articles on the HSF were published last year. Also, in question is the Puglia region, where the great strip artist Walter Trono comes from, our friend and participant of the HSF events for the last three years. Thanks to Walter, Corriere Della Puglia has written several times about our festival so it is not unknown. Also, everybody knows that the Italian embassy in Montenegro has supported the Herceg Novi Strip Festival since its inception and has also presented us with the Carravagio Award. It is therefore not surprising that people from Thalassia Pool have recognized what this is about,“ marks one of the founders and the PR of the largest comic festival in the region, Nebojsa Mandić.

Herceg Novi Strip Festival already working on next edition

Although the 12th HSF was held less than two months ago, the team is already working to prepare for the 13th edition for next September.

"We do not stop working and we already have announced, and even confirmed guests. Of course, it is not yet time to announce their names, but I can say that, as it is the case for every new edition of the festival, we are taking another step forward in order to make an even bigger spectacle than the last. And this September, we really made a spectacle, we've been wounded by the success we have achieved. We ride on good energy, coming from all over Montenegro, especially from the city of Herceg Novi, which the festival has embraced as a party for all generations, as a joint project of the whole community. This is something that drives us and gives us new strength to do even better year after year," said Mandic.

Herceg Novi Strip Festival is one the greatest 9th Art Festivals in Europe

"There is no reason for false modesty - we have developed the HSF into one of the ten most important comic festivals in Europe, if not wider. Whoever has anything to do with strip, knows about HSF. The reason for this is surely the fact that our former guests were the top world artists. The reason for this is that we have officially declared William Simpson, the biggest star of today, the World's Ambassador of the HSF," Nebojsa Mandić concluded.

In Boka, there is the expression "the sea gives you everything you need." On the beach Torre Guaceto in Brindisi, the sea gave us the valuable artwork of Iztok Sitar, but also the beautiful emotions and a voice from the other side of the Adriatic. The HSF has confirmed that the sea has spread a good voice. Over the waves, the voice continues to echo.

31 October 2018 - The Director of the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary Medicine and Phytosanitary Affairs, Vesna Daković, said that food safety system in Montenegro is at a very high level and that Montenegrin citizens and tourists as well have high-quality and safe food at their disposal.

She explains, however, that the public often identifies terms “safety” and “quality” of the food although they are different categories.

“A product can be safe in the context of health but it might not correspond to the defined parameters of quality and vice-versa. Some product might be meeting the standards of quality but, at the same time, it might not be safe for use since it contains unauthorized substances, the surplus of certain types of matters, or some microbiological changes occurred due to inappropriate preservation,” says Daković.

As far as the segment of food safety is concerned, we should bear in mind that safety is provided in the complex chain of food production and food distribution, also known as “from the field to the table”.

“In order to have safe food, first and foremost, we must have healthy animals and plants. In that sense, it is necessary to fulfill measures and requirements stipulated by veterinary and sanitary policy. If for example, there’s the processing of the primary product, hygienic conditions must be provided in every single phase of that process,” said Daković.

According to the regulations, the producers and those who place the food at the markets shall be responsible for its safety.

“The control of every process is a must. Every country has its own control system but at the conceptual level, it works the same everywhere: we get safe, high-quality food intended for the consumers’ needs from healthy animals and plants, with appropriate hygienic conditions and requirements for food preservation,” concluded Daković.

She points out that Directorate for  Food Safety, Veterinary Medicine and Phytosanitary Affairs, via inspection competent in all of the three areas, controls food safety in the entire chain, from the production until it gets to our tables. Although the number of inspectors, 24 of them, is not optimal, they are dedicated and work hard and the results they achieve are excellent. In the three months time, more than 70 thousand EUR of fines have been imposed.

31 October 2018 - Prime Minister Duško Marković stated on the occasion of the Day of Prosecutors that Montenegro has registered striking examples in both the adoption and enforcement of laws that indicate that the government's clear vision has built and strengthened institutions as the foundations of the rule of law and that the State Prosecutor's Office, together with other democratic institutions and the legislation based on the European legal framework, shows the determination to provide protection for citizens and the State.

"At the end of the 19th and in the first years of the 20th century, the Montenegrin people began to feel the need to regulate their State through the first Constitution and the division of power, as the imperative of political and cultural upbringing of the entire society. The first state prosecutors' offices were established - by the entry into force of the Law on the State Prosecutor's Office, on 1 November 1934. Since then, we have registered striking examples in the adoption and enforcement of laws that indicate that our clear vision has built and strengthened institutions as the foundations of the rule of law. Nowadays, the State Prosecutor's Office, as a single body, together with other democratic institutions and legislation relying on the European legal framework, shows the determination to ensure the protection of citizens and the State," Prime Minister Duško Marković stressed in a letter to Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stanković.

Having extended his thanks for the invitation for tomorrow's ceremony on the occasion of the Day of Prosecutors, which, due to previously undertaken obligations, he is not able to attend, Prime Minister Marković said he is hopeful that all the authorities will continue to contribute to the State in line with their competence.

"This process is followed by the responsibility of all of us for the trust we have been shown. That is, after all, our Constitutional and moral obligation. For this reason, I am convinced that we will continue to contribute to our common, just and safe house - Montenegro," Prime Minister Marković's letter to Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stanković reads.

31 October 2018 - On October 30, the Tourist Organization of Podgorica officially revealed and presented interactive displays of state-of-the-art technology at the Podgorica Airport and in the Info Centre, which enable the possibility of getting all the necessary services and information about tourist sites both in the city and the whole country in a quick and easy way. Travelers visiting Podgorica can now plan their itinerary at the airport thanks to a new digital help desk installation created by the Capital’s tourism department.

"By listening to the needs of tourists, and following the example of other European cities, TO Podgorica recognized the importance of installing these panels and we believe that this will additionally contribute to raising the quality and promotion of the overall tourist offer of the Capital City," said the director of the Tourist Organization of Podgorica, Tatjana Popović.

Director of Podgorica Airport, Dragan Milanović, spoke about the many years of successful cooperation with the Tourist Organization of the Capital, and he expressed the satisfaction that the first interactive panel in Podgorica was located at the Podgorica airport.

Setting up an interactive info displays is one of the activities of the RiTour Cross-Border Cooperation Project Croatia-BiH-Montenegro, funded by EU IPA funds.

31 October 2018 - Many world countries have long assessed and understood the numerous advantages of bicycles as a means of transport and an active holiday. Under the great influence of European trends of improving sustainable transport, cycling activities begin to grow not only in Podgorica as the Capital, but throughout Montenegro.

Montenegro's amazing mountain landscapes and clear blue sea welcome all cycling fans in one of Europe's most thrilling cycling destinations. This is a place where cyclists can enjoy the most testing and exciting moments on a bike, but they can also feel a true sense of freedom as well. If you enjoy mountain trails, coastlines with the most amazing beaches, icy-cold rivers, fascinating sites and picturesque sceneries to explore, then you’re probably going to like cycling through the country.

So, what can you expect while cycling through Montenegro?

1. Gorgeous scenery over the Bay of Kotor and beyond!

While cycling through Montenegro, you can definitely enjoying its spectacular nature. Complete relaxation, rest and acquiring new energy awaits all those who seek to get to the most amazing viewpoints in the country. Great fun, adrenaline spikes, competitive excitement are just some of the thrills you might get to experience while exploring thousands of kilometres of hiking and biking trails.

2. Welcoming family-run hotels and delicious traditional dishes

Family-run hidden gems still exist in Montenegro, it’s up to you to just choose! Historic bed-and-breakfasts that have maintained their traditional vibe are common in Montenegro. In traditional hotels, rooms are usually peaceful and minimal, budget-friendly and followed by a morning chit-chat with personable hosts. You definitely do not want to miss any of the tastes of Montenegrin cuisine from the coast to the north! The tastes of the Mediterranean give you the holy trinity - fish, wine and olive oil accompanied by local wines. However, Northern Montenegro introduces you to the cuisine of highlanders, served on wooden trays: meat and potatoes under the sač, cheese, kačamak (Montenegrin polenta with cream cheese, cheese, potatoes) and prosciutto. This is all perfectly followed by homemade brandy – rakija.

3. Feeling the thrill of life on a bike

When the weather conditions are at their best, everything in Montenegro is crystal clear and bright – the air, the water, and the spirit and breath of the sea and the mountains. There are many places from which you can see breath-taking panoramas, amazing works of art in nature in five national parks, the pearls of the Bay of Kotor, coastal medieval cities, Cetinje the city – museum; visits to old wineries in Crmnica or staying in eco-villages – it is easy to get smitten with so many choices.

4. Steep mountain bike trails

If you challenge yourself to cycle on some of Montenegrin mountain trails, like Lovćen and Durmitor, be prepared for a challenge. Mountainous terrain comes with lots of climbs and scenic nature. Still, when you reach the mountain's viewpoints while sweaty and with your teeth clenched, it will feel like you're on top of the whole world. And, despite the pain and the fatigue, you will still smile and feel alive!

5. Narrow roads with traffic

To be honest, narrow lanes throughout Montenegro represent a huge problem for cyclists. When considering road cycling, the infrastructure for travellers on bikes is almost non-existent, and car drivers are not attentive enough. While riding on two wheels, you should definitely stay alert and keep your eyes wide open. The road surface in the country is mostly bad, and the lack of quality bike parking is a huge issue as well. The most common bike parking option throughout Montenegro is still the low-standing single wheel securing spirals.

6. Feel like renting a bike?

If you are looking to rent a bike, you need a document proving your identity: passport or driving license, in order to make the contract of lease of sports equipment. You should probably research rental companies and contact them before your arrival. Some rental companies ask for a cash deposit for each type of Sports Equipment. When returning the bicycle, if you have met all the terms of the lease and the operating rules, the deposit is fully refunded to you. The rental period of the Sports Equipment is usually counted in hours. The lessee bears full financial responsibility for the equipment.

7. Looking for the thrill of a campsite?

There is generally a large number of campsites throughout Montenegro, so you should be able to find one without much effort. If you feel like camping, you will find out that camping is really not an expensive option for your stay. However, not many campsites get improved over time, so do not have high expectations. It is also quite popular to ask for permission to put a camp on the local property. Still, you might get in a situation where they will charge you, or, if you get lucky, the locals can get very interested in your stories, and might invite you for a pleasant drink, delicious meal or even ask you to stay indoors.

October 31, 2018 - The Act on Amendments to the Law on Expropriation, proposed by DPS deputies, provides the Government with more opportunities to declare something as public interest in order to deprive a person of property, shorten expropriation procedures; the owner of the property will be able to complain about the amount of compensation for the seized property, but it does not dispose of the expropriation procedure - and the one for which the land will be deprived of will be able to even get into the possession of that property before the validity of the expropriation decision.

Blazo Djukanovic, son of Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, expanded his interest in business into the information technology sphere - at the end of June, he became the co-founder of the company “Kodio” from Podgorica.

October 31, 2018 - During November, the 3D seismic exploration of oil and gas will be launched in the seabed, announced the Hydrocarbon Directorate. The company Šaravoter with its "Polar empress" ship will do the underwater recording.