Montenegrin government

Addressing MPs last week before they endorsed his cabinet, Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic promised a "review" of all strategic investment contracts signed between the state and private investors and that have proved harmful to the environment or the state.

New Montenegrin Government session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

On Monday Radulovic said the government won't lift sanctions on Russia because Montenegro must respect European Union rules if it wants to join the Union.

The outgoing Montenegrin government welcomed Serbia's decision not to expel Montenegrin Ambassador to Belgrade Tarzan Milosevic in accordance with reciprocity measures, and said that they would not give up on the decision to expel Serbian Ambassador to Podgorica Vladimir Bozovic.

Vladimir Bozovic attending the Serbian National Council conference in Podgorica. Photo: Serbian Embassy in Montenegro

Montenegrin authorities on November 28 declared ambassador Vladimir Bozovic persona non grata, citing allegedly unacceptable statements about the history and statehood of the country.

With four political blocs still working to create a new government in the wake of the end-August election, DPS Prime Minister Dusko Markovic has put his signature to a string of new hires, drawing fire from civil society groups that say such posts should only be filled by the incoming government. Some say the recruitment drive lacks any legal basis.

What explains this shift, from being the region that initially had among the fewest cases in Europe, to a surge?

Some country-specific reasons might explain individual cases, such as recent elections in Serbia and North Macedonia, or the government crisis in Kosovo, or protests in Montenegro and Serbia. However, none provides an overarching regional perspective.

Olive groves near Ulcinj, Montenegro. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic

Nimanbegu said that the government has an obligation to give back the groves in the former Valdanos military resort.

He assessed that it is clear that this is about politics, and not about the epidemiological situation, as stated by the authorities in Podgorica.

Last night, Montenegro became the second country in Europe to officially report they are free of active COVID-19 cases.

Montenegro has now joined the Faroe Islands the only two European countries to have zero active cases of the coronavirus.

The government of Montenegro made the announcement publicly last night on their official Twitter account.

Police and custom officers on Montenegrin border. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic described the decision as a "ridiculous and senseless move", N1 TV reported.