Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said on Wednesday that he expects Parliament to approve the agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and that support could reach 81 votes after consultations with all parliamentary groups.
“The entire government stands behind the cooperation project with the UAE. There will be doubts and political opinions, but I am convinced that through communication with all parliamentary groups, we will reach, I am confident, as many as 81 votes,” Spajić said at a press conference following a government session.
The government approved the agreement with the UAE on Wednesday, which will be sent to Parliament for ratification.
“Everything is transparent and open. All points are public and will be forwarded to Parliament for further discussion. Before the parliamentary session, I will hold meetings with parliamentary group leaders to clarify any open questions. I am confident that we will approve the agreement quickly,” the prime minister said.
Spajić added that the government supported the conclusions of the Ulcinj Municipal Assembly from March 21, emphasizing that the executive branch will support local communities in preserving environmental standards.
“The government has instructed all relevant ministries to consider the conclusions of the Ulcinj Municipal Assembly when evaluating potential projects in the future,” he stated.
Commenting on Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović’s statement that the constitutionality of signed agreements with the UAE should be examined, Spajić said that interstate agreements are a standard international practice.
“Montenegro has already signed more than ten similar interstate agreements, which have the force of law as they are adopted by Parliament. If anyone wants to verify their constitutionality, there is no problem in submitting an initiative to the Constitutional Court,” he said.
The prime minister noted that another Mediterranean country had made a competing offer to the UAE as an alternative to Montenegro.
“They are willing to lease out twice as much coastline and even sell land to the investor, whereas our model would be based on joint investment,” Spajić stated.
When asked why the UAE investor, Mohamed Alabar, is not participating in an international tender, Spajić responded that the number of investors capable of committing 35 billion euros is extremely limited.
“A tender makes sense when there are at least ten interested investors. Moreover, a tender would mean losing state guarantees,” he said.
He added that the entire project has been conducted transparently.
“All conclusions are available on the government’s website. I have provided clear answers to MPs’ questions. I visited Ulcinj and spoke with parliamentary group leaders. Has anyone ever asked local communities about projects like Portonovi or Luštica?” Spajić asked.
He stated that this introduces a new model of cooperation with local communities but expects them to act responsibly as well.
