Latest News from Montenegro
Montenegrin Opposition Tells Police Chief to Quit
On the fourth day of opposition protests in Podgorica, Nebojsa Medojevic, one of the opposition leaders, on Wednesday told the director of police, Slavko Stojanovic, to quit following his statements that attacks on police at the meetings are possible.
Montenegro Opposition Tells MP to Quit Parliament
As Montenegrin opposition parties on Monday continued their protest in front of parliament in Podgorica, Slaven Radunovic, an opposition Democratic Front MP, urged all opposition MPs to boycott parliament until new elections are called.
Balkans 'Losing Human Capital', World Bank Warns
A new World Bank report on the economies of the six Balkan countries, published on Monday, warns that the region is losing a vital part of its young and educated population and urges governments to take action to deal with the consequences.
'Protests Won't Stop' Until Montenegro PM Resigns
Thousands of people gathered in front of the parliament building in Podgorica on Sunday at a mass rally against Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's administration, which they accuse of widespread corruption, undemocratic practices and election fraud.
Montenegro Arrests ex-Mayor on Corruption Charges
Montenegrin police on Wednesday arrested the former mayor Zarko Pavicevic on suspicion of abuse of office linked to his private construction company.
Pavicevic, ex-mayor of the coastal town of Bar, was arrested on a warrant issued by the special prosecutor for corruption and organized crime.
Kosovo Opposition Flock to Sign Petition Against Serbian Deals
A petition against the recent EU-led agreement with Serbia has attracted more than 63,000 signatures during only five days, the organisers said on Wednesday.
The petition was launched on September 18 and the organisers claim the number of the people signing it is increasing every day.
Montenegro Seeks Closer Ties With Belarus
Montenegro and Belarus will sign a five-year agreement on economic and security cooperation on the sidelines of this year's UN General Assembly session, which starts in New York on Wednesday.
Under the draft protocol, which BIRN has seen, the two countries' foreign ministries have agreed a model for a five-year cooperation, which was initiated by Belarus.
US Set to Back NATO Invitation to Montenegro
US Vice-President Joseph Biden told Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic by phone on Monday that Washington supports NATO membership for Montenegro, "provided that Montenegro continues pursuing reforms and boosts popular support" for joining.
The 28-member alliance is due to make a decision on Montenegro's membership in December.
Montenegro's NATO Opponents Slam US Ambassador
The Movement for Neutrality, the most vocal anti-NATO organisation in Montenegro, reacted angrily after US ambassador Margaret Ann Uyehara's blog post arguing that membership of the Western military alliance would help the country become more stable and prosperous was republished by local media on Sunday.
Craft Beer & Music Fest Kicks Off in Sofia
A hundred craft beers and music from Southeast Europe will dominate this year's rtm+beer2015 festival in downtown Sofia on Saturday and Sunday.
RTM's third edition is taking place at the Borisova Garden, in and near Maimunarnika Club. Entry is free.
EU Ban on Balkan Asylum Seekers Alarms Roma
Roma associations in Macedonia - home to a large community - have condemned EU plans to exclude Balkan nations from claiming asylum as part of measures to cope with the growing refugee crisis.
Prostitution Claims Shake Montenegrin Minister
Montenegrin Interior Minister Rasko Konjevic on Wednesday denied allegations that he has used prostitutes, calling it a "hideous lie".
Balkan States Told to Take in More Refugees
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, on Wednesday proposed a new plan for accepting 160,000 refugees in the EU and at the same time proposed that non-EU countries in the Western Balkans be put on a list of safe countries.
The proposition presented to the European Parliament adds another 40,000 to an existing plan for quotas set in May.
Spanish Player Sorry For Tearing Serbian Flag
Nikola Mirotic, a member of the Spanish basketball team from Montenegro, has apologised for tearing up the Serbian national flag on Tuesday, angry after his team lost an important game to Italy.
The video shows Mirotic entering the tunnel after the game while fans waved a Serbian flag in front of his face.
Refugee Crisis: European Commission takes decisive action
Delivering on the European Agenda on Migrations from May, the European Commission is putting forward a comprehensive package of proposals which will help address the refugee crisis that EU Member States and neighbouring countries are facing, including by tackling the root causes making people seek refuge in Europe.