Montenegro

Balkan countries join forces in fight against crime

A new police centre joins BiH, Serbia and Montenegro to boost co-operation and regional security.

Border police from BiH, Serbia and Montenegro will work together at the new border centre. [AFP]

BELGRADE - The police directors of Serbia, Montenegro and Republika Srpska (RS), a Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina, have agreed in a meeting in Belgrade that joint police teams should strengthen cooperation in the fight against all forms of organized crime.

"Montenegro has achieved progress in pursuing reforms and standards within the integration processes, particularly in the field of security, rule of law and strengthening of the public support for NATO integration," Biden said on Tuesday after meeting Montenegro's Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic.

The protest was organised by Albanian opposition parties, the Democratic Forum for Integration and the Democratic Alliance.

They claim that the government has been "abusing and discriminating against" local Albanians in Tuzi, where they form the majority community.

Germany "won't obstruct Montenegro's accession to NATO"

PODGORICA -- Germany will not obstruct Montenegro's accession to NATO and will evaluate reforms conducted in that country when it decides on giving it the green light.

This is what German Ambassador to Montenegro, Pius Fischer, told the Podogrica-based Atlas TV.

A coalition of NGOs called "No to War, No to NATO", have called a protest for Friday in Podgorica’s main square, aiming to send "a clear message" that Montenegro should not join the alliance.

Organisers said people should raise their voices against the "aggressive and criminal policy of the alliance.

Serbia lowest-ranked in region on enabling trade index

BELGRADE -- Serbia fell on the list of the Global Enabling Trade Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and is now 89th among 138 countries.

Two years ago, in the previous report, Serbia was 71st of 132 countries, the Beta news agency reported.

In an open letter sent to US Vice President Joseph Biden on Tuesday, timed to coincide with his expected meeting with Djuknovic on April 8, the signatories of the letter told Biden that Milo Djukanovic represents "the antithesis of democracy, rule of law and the fundamental values of Western civilization.

BUDVA - The National Tourism Organisation of Serbia (TOS) will give a comprehensive presentation of Serbia's tourism potential at the METUBES International Tourism Exchange, Tourism Fair, Equipment for Hotels and Catering in Budva on April 3-5.

Germany "to block Montenegro's membership in NATO"

PODGORICA -- Germany will block the accession of Montenegro to NATO at the summit in Wales, writes the Montenegrin daily Dan, quoting statements from the German government.