NGO “Nasa akcija” (“Our action”) marked the International Day of Cleaning the Coast with an action at the beach of the Institute Vrmac in Stoliv.

Sa akcije(Foto: NVO Naša akcija)

76 volunteers from this NGO, students, and teachers of the Arcadia International School and citizens collected 10 m3 of waste, mainly plastic bottles, cans, cigarette butts, and tires.

During the action (Photo: NGO Naša akcija)

Cleanup actions for the International Day of Cleaning the Coast are being implemented across Montenegro for the third year in a row by Zero Waste Montenegro, and this year in partnership with the EU delegation and the Info EU Center and participation of over 15 NGOs, institutions and other organizations. In Kotor, the cleanup was implemented through the project "Youth for the Clean Adriatic" supported by BeMed and the Foundation Prince Albert II of Monaco, as well as the Tourist Organization Kotor, with the support of Utility company Kotor, as announced from the NGO “Nasa akcija”.

During the action (Photo: NGO Naša akcija)

The Day began 30 years ago and includes over 100 countries and millions of volunteers worldwide.

During the action (Photo: NGO Naša akcija)

Text by Vijesti online, on September 22nd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

September 24, 2019 - Herceg Novi has received two new murals. One could be found on the wall beside the crossing of the Stairway of Danica Tomasevic and the Pet Danica Promenade. Another one is drawn on the wall along with the steps in Risanska Street. Both themes are the sea. The murals were painted as part of this year's Street Art Festival.

24 September 2019 - The Government is committed to constructive dialogue with representatives of the civil sector because as decision-makers they want the NGOs to be a reflection of the entire society, Prime Minister Duško Marković said in Bijelo Polje at a meeting with representatives of NGOs from northern Montenegro.

"We need a dialogue with NGOs. We appreciate the contribution of the civil sector to policy implementation," said PM Marković opening the roundtable "Cooperation between the Government and NGOs – the key to civil society development".

The Government, the Prime Minister said, is attentive to the suggestions and criticisms that come from the civil sector and creates responses systematically and sustainably. Furthermore, he noted that the Government does not claim success alone, although it is presented in public as the only responsible subject of success is lacking.

Commenting on areas of joint work and problem-solving, PM Marković praised the contribution of NGOs from the north to environmental issues.

"NGOs from the north have strongly and directly raised the issue of individuals and private companies that are adversely affecting our living environment," the Prime Minister stressed and recalled examples of recent Ćehotina pollution in Pljevlja and Lim in Bijelo Polje where the State responded through cooperation with local NGOs.

PM Marković also emphasised that tens of millions are being spent in the north for the development of road, traffic, energy and digital infrastructure, new water supply systems and other incentives, noting that without a developed infrastructure, neither companies nor investors can invest in the cities of northern Montenegro.

"In Kolašin, as part of the on-going project, 30 million EUR is being spent to develop infrastructure and a new ski centre. Twenty-three million is spent in Bijelo Polje. We are not talking about a project that should be done, but a project that is being implemented. As a citizen, I was delighted to see this morning in the media and on Twitter a picture of a new cable car that Leitner had installed in Cmiljača. I have already talked about Đalovića cave – 18 million EUR worth project, " the Prime Minister said.

Speaking about the development of the North, the Prime Minister also referred to some comments on development policy:

"Even today, these critics tell me – development is not road construction, it is easy to build roads, Montenegro needs to open factories. Who will open a factory in the North if there is no road? Who will make a viable business plan if there is no road, if there is no power, if there is no internet? These conditions are prerequisites for any business. Imagine if these obstacles still existed in the future, imagine them as a great hurdle for any serious business and factory that can be opened in Montenegro. Therefore, we are spending tens of millions in the north today to develop road, traffic, energy and digital infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture is investing in new water supply and other incentives. Without that, there are no companies or investors anywhere in the world, not even in the North. I know that it is too late, that maybe we should have done it earlier, but I know we had to go in that direction – and we did," PM Marković highlighted.

24 September 2019 - The new six-seater cable car installation on the Cmiljača mountain ski centre in Bijelo Polje, which the Government of Montenegro financed with the 9 million EUR, is running according to plan. 

According to the statement of the Government of Montenegro, the cable car which is being installed is modern equipment manufactured by the Italian company Leitner, whose products are today present at many well-known ski centres in the world. After a public procurement procedure, the Public Works Administration entrusted the instalment works to the Podgorica - based company "Novi Volvoks". The designed capacity of the cable car is 2600 skiers per hour and its length is close to 1,4 kilometres. 

One of the most demanding segments of this project is to build the access road Ravna Rijeka – Latinska kosa – Jasikovac – Cmiljača, in a total length of nearly 16 kilometres, which will connect the mountain centre with the main road and make it more available for all lovers of the winter tourism. Currently, several contractors are engaged on the part of Jasikovac to the top of the Cmiljača. 

At the same time, the Public Works Administration engineering team is implementing the electricity infrastructure construction project in order to supply the needs of the future cable car within the ski complex Cmiljača. The first segment of this project will be completed by the end of this year. 

The contract signed with the Podgorica – based company "Eminent", specifies the construction of the 35/10 kV substation at the site Majstorovina in Bijelo Polje. The value of this investment, which the Government also financed through the capital budget amounts to more than 1,18 million EUR. 

The total investment in putting cable car and ski slopes into service, as well as the construction of the electric power, water supply infrastructure and access roads, amounts to about 23 million EUR, but only this year the Government of Montenegro will allocate more than 4 million EUR. 

In the area of Bijelo Polje Municipality, the implementation of the Đalovića Cave project valorisation is underway. This is one of the major ventures in the area of tourism, not only in this region of the country, but in the whole of Montenegro. In the next few years, the Government will allocate about 18 million EUR for furnishing and decorating of the cave, the cable car construction over the Đalovica Cave and overall traffic and other infrastructure. 

Noise problems in the cafes in the center of Kolasin will soon be resolved, as promised from the Utility police.

The noise level will be monitored by the phonometer, Utility Police Chief Marko Matovic says that owners of catering establishments will be obliged to install limiters - devices that limit the broadcasting of music to the volume permitted by law.

He estimated that the control of working hours gave results, so that only a few misdemeanor warrants were written during the summer season.

He claims that the Utility Police conducted twice as much surveillance in comparison to the same period last year.

“Over the past 12 months, all open cases, according to citizens' reports, have been successfully resolved. Since the beginning of June this year, the work of the Utility Police has been organized in two shifts, from 7 am to 10 pm. Among other jobs, the exploitation of gravel on Tara is also successfully controlled. "

Matovic says the service, which he manages insisted on compliance with the regulations and when it comes to taxi transportation.

He also announces that an action for dog sterilization and chipping should be launched soon in cooperation with the Veterinary Administration.

Although utility police, he explains, has made great efforts, the negligent disposal of household rubbish and bulky waste next to the container remains a major problem.

During spring and summer, in agreement with the director of the Utility Company, free transport of bulky waste was organized to reduce wild landfills. We regularly visit the landfill sites and ask the citizens to help us in this activity to save the city from wild landfills. We can't get three communal police officers everywhere, and we expect citizens to help us. "

Matovic recalls that despite the legal obligation, some residential buildings in Kolasin do not yet have managing boards, which further complicates the arranging of the landscape around them.

Text by Dragana Scepanovic, on September 23rd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

The international multi-day event "European Mobility Week" ended last weekend in Tivat with numerous actions promoting sustainable transport and appealing for changes in traffic behavior.

With events and programs that lasted for a week, Tivat was among nearly 3,000 cities from 50 countries marking the European Mobility Week, this year dedicated to walking and cycling.

The International “Day with no Cars”, Sunday, September 22, is marked by an international women's cycling tour and a five-kilometer recreational race. The participants of this action organized along the route Pine promenade - Donja Lastva - Pine are "Fancy Women bike ride" and the Athletic Club - Tivat Running Club Tivat.

The absolute winners in the 5,000 meters race are Zeljko Dabovic, Perica Vuckovic and Milos Komnenic in the men's, and Marija Djukic, Marina Nisavic and Nina Jevtovic in the women's competition.

In the competition of boys under 13, the best were Dino Bajo, Luka Stosic, Djordje Gulic, while Tara Djurickovic won first place among girls. Aleksandar Filip, Vojislav Buzic, Marko Pravilovic were the fastest in the 14-18 category, and Mija Mijuskovic and Sara Ilic were the best in the women's competition.

The best in the 19-39 category in the men's and women's competition were: Marina Nišavic, Nina Jevtovic and Sanja Antic, and Zeljko Dabovic, Perica Vuckovic, Milos Komnenic.

Marija Djukic and Dusica Bojovic were the best in the female senior's competition, as were Stefan Bjedic, Boris Kosovic and Miroslav Slaby for the men.

The Secretary for Public Utilities, Transport, and Energy Efficiency in the Municipality Tivat Tatjana Jelic expressed her satisfaction with the quality and number of events, and the remarkable participation of citizens, especially the youngest.

"We are convinced that the action drew attention to the possibilities of using sustainable modes of transport, in particular, bicycles but also hiking and that Tivat broadly respected this year's slogan "European Mobility Week" - Take a Walk with us," Jelic said.

Tatjana Jelić (Photo: Municipality Tivat)

A special attraction was the first international “Fancy Women Bike Ride”, organized in Tivat, in which numerous ladies took part.

The movement, launched in 2013 in Turkey, has attracted the attention of women cyclists in the last seven years. One hundred fifteen cities from 14 countries have joined the movement this year. "The bike is an environmentally friendly mean of transportation, a great solution for traffic jams and practical for everyday tasks. We women from Izmir, Turkey, with our bikes, try to convey the message that it is good to replace cars and motorbikes with bicycles, that it is good to have the smell of a perfume on the street, and not of gas," said Belmin Saskwan, one of the organizers of the event.

Djordje Premovic, on behalf of the Athletic Club Running Club Tivat, as a co-organizer of the athletic race, expressed his satisfaction with the event and the number of participants and the expectation that such activities will continue in the future.

During the manifestation (Photo: Municipality Tivat)

On Saturday were organized the actions "Everybody on catamarans", i.e. free ride on solar and hybrid ships that operate regular passenger transportation from Tivat to Herceg Novi, and "Let’s hike together" where about 70 participants, among whom the youngest  is three years old, had the opportunity to pass the route Gornja Lastva - St. Vid - Gornja Lastva. Trip guide Boris Filip from the Mountaineering Club “Squirrel” led the Mountaineers to St. Vid Church where a rope haul was organized between the teams “Galioti” and “Knightsbridge” who won.

"European Mobility Week Tivat" marks the fourth consecutive year, and after the success achieved in 2017 when it was nominated among the top three in the category of European cities with up to 50,000 inhabitants, it continues this year with an even more ambitious program.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on September 23rd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

By setting up video surveillance of public areas, the Capital and the Ministry of the Interior want to influence the reduction of crime, traffic safety and the general safety of all citizens, while respecting the highest standards of privacy protection.

This was announced after a meeting between the Minister of Interior Affairs Mevludin Nuhodzic and Mayor of Podgorica Ivan Vukovic.

During the meeting, Nuhodzic emphasized good cooperation with the Capital’s Protection and Rescue Service.

"In partnership with the Capital, we will also work to create a National Training Center for members of the protection and rescue system," Nuhodzic announced.

According to the Ministry of Interior, Vukovic said that this cooperation would soon result in new projects aimed at improving the security situation in Podgorica.

"The most important project in this part is the establishment of video surveillance in the capital, on which the people from the Ministry of the Interior have been working hard for several years, so that in this way we get a very effective tool to combat the various negative phenomena we have in the city, which influence all of us together, Vukovic said.

It was jointly agreed that cooperation in the field of traffic safety, as well as communication with representatives of local communities, would be intensified in the coming period, in order to bring the Capital, the Ministry of Interior and the Police Directorate closer to the citizens.

Text by Vijesti online, on September 23rd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

The Constitutional Court instituted preliminary proceedings on the initiative of the Employers Union to assess the constitutionality and legality of the part of the Internal Trade Act that introduces non-working Sundays and public and other holidays for the majority of trade.

"In the case of reviewing the constitutionality of Article 35a of the Law on Internal Trade, a preliminary proceeding is underway to examine the procedural preconditions necessary to conduct the proceedings and obtain the necessary opinions and documentation," it was stated from the Constitutional Court to "Vijesti".

An amendment to the bill with this added article was passed in July this year, and it goes into effect from October 15, so the first non-working Sunday for traders will be October 20. The initiator of this legal solution was the Chamber of Commerce Board, while the Union of Employers launched an initiative to abolish it at the request of the shopping malls “Delta”, “Kamelija” and “Gintas”, because the proposal to make shopping malls an exception from this law was not approved.

Traders from the Chamber of Commerce committee believe that the total turnover will not be reduced but that it will shift from Sunday to other days. While the UPCG believe that such a solution is unconstitutional and violates the freedom of entrepreneurship and that it will cause a reduction in the number of employees. They state that now workers who work on Sundays are given other days off.

Text by Goran Kapor, on September 21st, 2019, read more at Vijesti

By planting 410 young trees of different conifers and broadleaf species, in multiple locations in and around the city, Berane joined the action 28 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Ecological State of Montenegro.

The planting action entitled "Let the forest be green!", organized by the General Secretariat of the Government of Montenegro and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, involved the Municipality of Berane, Utility Company, Forest Administration - Berane Regional Unit, pupils of the elementary school “Radomir Mitrovic” and NVU “North Country”.

"In this way, we want to draw the attention of the citizens of Berane and point out the importance of preserving the area in which we live and our beautiful nature. I hope that the fact that Montenegro is an ecological state will not remain only on paper and I believe that this action will positively affect all people and that we will give an example to others of how we preserve and improve what we have," emphasized the Secretary for Municipal Housing, Transport and Environmental Protection, Milos Kastratovic.

The contribution to the action was provided by the Utility company Berane, and director Savo Vucetic said that this was another action in the series in which this company is participating.

The head of the environmental protection department in the municipality Berane, Rita Barjaktarovic, said that the occasion for the celebration of this day was marked by nature itself.

"With such activities, in which we have good cooperation with schools and young people, we can show citizens that only through a joint partnership of public administration, schools and NGO sectors we can do more to improve the environment, make our city better, which we did today," said Barjaktarovic.

Employees of the Montenegrin Forest Administration are engaged in afforestation and landscaping of natural areas daily, so they are pleased to join this action.

"We chose black pine for planting because it grows well at these altitudes and also spruce as one very important species that is ideal for afforestation of areas like this one on Jasikovac," said the engineer Zivko Vukanic of the Forest Administration – regional unit Berane.

In the streets of Saint Sava, Sloboda and Mir, as well as the Memorial Park, Jasikovac 150 black pine and spruce seedlings were planted, 50 thuja, 30 ash tree seedlings, 20 maples and ten wild apples.

The Montenegrin Forest Administration provided 150 black pine and spruce seedlings and per ten ash and wild apple seedlings.

Utility company Berane provided 20 maple and 20 ash seedlings, while NVU "North Country" provided 50 seedlings of thuja.

Text by Tufik Softic, on September 20th, 2019, read more at Vijesti