AGP Executive Report

Identity and Influence: A new analysis says Serbian nationalist and pro-Russian networks use Orthodox and Slavic identity to frame fighting for Russia as a cause, while recruitment through Telegram appears to draw little attention from Montenegro’s institutions. Research and Education: Montenegro joined five other Western Balkan partners and the EU in a declaration to strengthen research careers, innovation ecosystems and regional cooperation, with a joint action plan to follow. Women’s Safety: The Australian installation Sweethearts uses 60 candy hearts to challenge phrases that excuse violence against women; its message resonates across the Western Balkans, where advocates seek stronger protections and accountability. Regional Books: Montenegro is among the foreign participants at the Belgrade Book Fair, which opened with fewer direct exhibitors than last year.

EU Path: At the Berlin Process summit near Budva, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Montenegro could realistically join the EU by 2028, while stressing that reforms and regional cooperation remain essential. Books & Culture: Montenegro is among the countries represented at the Belgrade Book Fair, which opened Friday with fewer exhibitors than last year. Adriatic Travel: Aroya Cruises has begun winter Mediterranean sailings, with itineraries calling at Kotor alongside ports in Turkey, Greece, Albania and Malta.

EU Path: At the Berlin Process summit in Miločer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Montenegro could realistically join the EU by 2028, while urging continued reforms and regional cooperation. Screen Stories: Montenegro’s Film Centre is among the partners behind Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way, where nine TV projects from the region will be presented online on October 30. Books: Montenegro is among the foreign exhibitors at the Belgrade Book Fair, which opens today with Tunisia as its guest of honour. Adriatic Travel: Aroya Cruises’ new winter Mediterranean itineraries include Kotor, alongside ports in Turkey, Greece, Albania and Malta.

Heritage: Falling water levels have revealed houses and churches submerged beneath a Montenegrin lake for decades, offering a striking glimpse of the country’s hidden past. Film & Television: Montenegro’s Film Centre is among the partners behind Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way, which selected nine projects for its online showcase on October 30. Travel: Kotor features on Aroya Cruises’ new Mediterranean winter itineraries, bringing visitors to Montenegro alongside stops in Turkey, Greece and Albania. Tourism Spotlight: Montenegro hosted the European World Travel Awards gala, where Lisbon took the leading city destination title and Portugal won top honours.

Cruise Tourism: Aroya Cruises’ first Mediterranean winter season will include Kotor among its stops, bringing visitors to Montenegro on itineraries linking Turkey, Greece, Albania and Malta. Screen Stories: Nine projects have been selected for the regional Series Rough Pitch, organised with Montenegro’s Creative Europe MEDIA Desk and Film Centre. The online event takes place on October 30. Tourism Spotlight: Montenegro hosted the World Travel Awards Europe gala, bringing tourism leaders to the country for the industry’s annual awards ceremony. Underwater Heritage: Decades after a Montenegrin lake covered them, houses and churches have emerged from the water, offering a striking glimpse of the past.

Adriatic Cruises: Aroya Cruises has begun winter Mediterranean sailings, with itineraries linking Kotor to ports in Turkey, Greece, Albania and Malta. Books: The Belgrade Book Fair opens Friday with about 300 direct exhibitors, down from 416 last year; Montenegro is among the participating countries. Screen Stories: Nine projects have been selected for Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way, an online event on October 30. Montenegro’s Film Centre is among the partners. Tourism: Kotor hosted the World Travel Awards’ European gala on October 17, where Lisbon was named Europe’s leading city destination and Portugal took the top destination title.

Screen Stories: Nine projects have been selected for Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way, a regional TV-development event on October 30. The Film Centre of Montenegro is among its partners, supporting new stories from the region. Tourism Spotlight: Kotor hosted the World Travel Awards’ European gala for the first time, with Lisbon named Europe’s leading city destination and Portugal taking the overall destination title. Underwater Heritage: Houses and churches have re-emerged from a Montenegrin lake after decades submerged, offering a striking glimpse of the communities and history beneath its waters.

Tourism Spotlight: Kotor hosted the World Travel Awards’ first ceremony in Montenegro on October 17. The event put the country’s nature tourism in the spotlight, while Montenegro Concierge DMC won the national title for leading destination management company. New Route: easyJet plans to launch twice-weekly Edinburgh–Tivat flights from March 2027, opening a new link to Montenegro’s coast. Heritage: During his Podgorica visit, China’s foreign minister said China is helping restore the Tara River Bridge, famed from the Yugoslav film The Bridge. Balkan Pop Culture: A new interview with Alan Ford writer Riccardo Secchi explores why the cult comic remains part of the former Yugoslavia’s shared cultural memory.

Heritage & Diplomacy: During talks in Podgorica on October 18, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted China’s role in restoring the Tara River Bridge, famed from the Yugoslav film The Bridge—a project he said could strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. Tourism & Culture: Montenegro hosted the European World Travel Awards gala in Kotor, where it was named Europe’s Leading Nature Destination and Montenegro Concierge DMC won the country’s top destination-management award. Underwater Heritage: Houses and churches have re-emerged from a Montenegrin lake after decades beneath the water, offering a striking glimpse of the country’s submerged past.

Travel Links: easyJet will launch twice-weekly Edinburgh–Tivat flights from March 2027, adding a direct route to Montenegro’s coast. Tourism: Kotor Bay hosted the 2026 World Travel Awards’ European gala, where Montenegro was named Europe’s Leading Nature Destination. Cultural Heritage: Low water has revealed houses and churches submerged beneath a Montenegrin lake for decades. Balkan Pop Culture: New Alan Ford writer Riccardo Secchi reflects on the comic’s enduring hold across the former Yugoslavia, where its catchphrases have become part of everyday life.

Tourism: Montenegro Concierge DMC was named the country’s leading destination management company at the World Travel Awards Europe gala in Kotor Bay, spotlighting locally guided trips to the Adriatic coast, mountain villages and quieter inland destinations. Heritage: A dry summer has lowered Lake Piva by about 30 metres, exposing homes and other remains of the settlement submerged when the reservoir was created in 1975. The 16th-century Piva Monastery was moved stone by stone before the lake filled. Tourism Industry: Montenegro will host ABTA’s convention in 2027, adding another international travel gathering to the country’s calendar.

Tourism: Montenegro hosted the World Travel Awards’ Europe gala for the first time, bringing industry leaders to Kotor Bay on October 17. Portugal took home 32 awards, including top honours for Lisbon and Porto. International Ties: During talks in Podgorica on October 18, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is ready to expand cooperation with Montenegro in tourism, energy and the green transition. Heritage: Drought has exposed houses and other remains submerged beneath Lake Piva since 1975. More than 80 homes were lost when the reservoir filled, while the 16th-century Piva Monastery was relocated stone by stone. Media Freedom: Photojournalist Boris Pejović condemned a €150 fine for death threats against him and a colleague, noting it matches the penalty he received for talking on the phone while driving.

Tourism: Kotor Bay hosted Montenegro’s first World Travel Awards Europe gala, where Lisbon won best European city and cruise destination for 2026. Montenegro will also host ABTA’s convention in 2027. Heritage: A dry summer has exposed homes and farm buildings submerged beneath Lake Piva since 1975. More than 80 houses were lost when the reservoir filled; the 16th-century Piva Monastery was relocated stone by stone. Press Freedom: Photographer Boris Pejović says a €150 fine for death threats against him and a colleague sends a troubling message to journalists—especially as he received the same fine for using a phone while driving. Travel: Forbes included Montenegro’s coast among seven destinations it recommends for 2027.

Tourism: Montenegro’s coast is among seven destinations Forbes recommends for 2027, while Kotor hosted the first World Travel Awards Europe gala in the country’s 33-year history on Saturday. Heritage: A dry summer has revealed houses and farm buildings submerged beneath Lake Piva since 1975, offering a glimpse of the community displaced when the reservoir was created; Piva Monastery was dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone. Press Freedom: A court fined a 19-year-old €300 for threatening two journalists covering the removal of an illegally erected monument near Berane, a ruling that has renewed concern about the safety of reporters.

Tourism: Montenegro hosts its first World Travel Awards Europe gala on 17 October, welcoming travel-industry leaders to Kotor Bay and putting the country’s Adriatic scenery and heritage in the spotlight. Living History: After a dry summer lowered Lake Piva by about 30 metres, buildings from the town submerged in 1975 have resurfaced near Plužine. The 16th-century Piva Monastery was moved stone by stone before the reservoir filled. Press Freedom: A court fined Filip Čikić €300 for threatening two journalists covering the removal of an illegally erected monument; paying half within 30 days settles the fine. Photojournalist Boris Pejović says the penalty risks trivialising threats against reporters.

Tourism Spotlight: Kotor hosts the World Travel Awards Europe gala on October 17, the awards’ first event in Montenegro, putting the bay’s historic setting and hospitality in the spotlight. Montenegro will also host ABTA’s Travel Convention in 2027, bringing UK travel leaders to Kotor. Heritage Revealed: After an exceptionally dry summer, Lake Piva’s retreating waters exposed remains of the settlement submerged when the reservoir was created in 1975. More than 80 homes were lost; the 16th-century Piva Monastery was moved stone by stone. Media Safety: A court fined Filip Čikić €300 for threatening journalists Boris Pejović and Balša Rudović while they covered the removal of an illegally erected monument. The fine can be halved if paid promptly, a ruling Pejović says risks trivialising threats against reporters. Adriatic Voyages: Norwegian Aura’s 2027 inaugural Mediterranean cruises will call at Bar, alongside stops in Croatia and Greece.