EU Presidency Watch: Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the EU Council presidency is a “workmanlike” deal-making job, with the biggest fight ahead on the next €1.73tn EU budget (2028-2034), as leaders clash over defence and competitiveness spending. Montenegro–Kazakhstan Ties: President Jakov Milatović’s first official visit to Kazakhstan focused on expanding trade, transport and logistics, agriculture, digital tech and tourism, with both sides backing stronger investment links and a chamber-to-chamber cooperation memorandum. Energy & Renewables: Montenegro’s Environmental Protection Agency approved the Environmental Impact Assessment for EPCG’s Kapino Polje B1 solar plant (11.43 MWp), clearing the way for construction steps on planned Niksic-area plots. Construction & Healthcare: Bouygues Bâtiment International was selected to design and build a new 562-bed university hospital in Podgorica, tied to an intergovernmental France–Montenegro agreement. Anti–Money Laundering Risk: A GI-TOC report says Serbia’s real estate and professional services sectors can be used to launder illicit funds via notaries and intermediaries, highlighting vulnerabilities in property and accounting channels. Tourism Demand Signals: TUI reports Belgian last-minute travellers are more selective, comparing prices and reviews, with sun destinations still leading bookings. Agri-Industry Modernisation: A Montenegro mushroom farm near Spuž says it boosted output with EU pre-accession funding for modern facilities, producing 700–1,000kg daily.