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In a region that has never known coherent strategic order, Montenegro's geography may be its greatest asset — and its most persistent trap. The Western Balkans have long resisted every attempt at durable integration. Empires passed through, alliances shifted, borders moved — yet fragmentation endured. Montenegro, small and mountainous, sits at the confluence of these tensions: a NATO member facing east, an EU candidate looking west, a coastal state anchored to the Adriatic but gravitationally pulled toward the Balkan interior.
The expected arrival of Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Pedro Sánchez in Tivat, with confirmation from Giorgia Meloni still awaited, is turning the EU–Western Balkans Summit into one of the most important international events Montenegro has hosted since regaining independence.
Peraška torta is Perast’s traditional almond cake, shaped by centuries of maritime life in the Bay of Kotor. Made with almonds, eggs, sugar, butter, lemon zest and liqueur, it reflects the town’s Adriatic and Mediterranean heritage. More than a dessert, it is part of Perast’s cultural identity and one of its most distinctive culinary traditions.
Wars in the Middle East do not stop at the battlefield. They reach Europe through energy prices, shipping disruption, inflation and fear — and the Mediterranean feels the shock first. For the EU, the conflict involving Iran is not a distant crisis. It is a direct test of economic resilience across ports, tourism, transport and energy.
Evacuating from Iraq amid the widening U.S.-Iran conflict, I did not expect a brief stop in Mardin to become a lesson in Syriac heritage, layered history and the quieter endurance of the Middle East.
Discover the Adriatics most desirable cities for residents and expats. Split, Kotor, Tirana, Trieste, and Ancona combine stunning coastal settings, rich history, contemporary amenities, and competitive living costs—offering ideal lifestyles whether you seek Mediterranean tranquility or urban energy.
Economic pressures across the Mediterranean—from Spains housing shortages to Italys talent mobility to North Africas educated diaspora—reflect the same transformative moments that have historically reshaped societies, offering both challenges and unprecedented opportunities for democratic renewal. While young people throughout the region navigate wage stagnation and housing accessibility, they are also witnessing increased regional integration, cross-border investment, and growing recognition that traditional career paths need modernization. This moment presents a unique window for Mediterranean nations to collaborate on realigning education with emerging job markets, developing innovative housing solutions that serve residents while attracting sustainable investment, and creating new pathways to prosperity that leverage the region s strategic position in global trade, renewable energy, and digital connectivity.