Conclusions from the round table organized by the economic editorial office of STEGA - Strategies for European and Civic Montenegro, held on October 17, 10, on the topic: "The future of Montenegrin viticulture with a special focus on Plantations, as a driver of development".
Presentation by Dr. B. Vučinić - STEGA security editorial office:
It is known that the name and reputation of our country in the world is largely due to Montenegrin wine, which has become an exceptional brand by which our country is appreciated and recognized today outside its borders.
The former Agrokombinat 13 July with the company AD Plantaže made a huge contribution to such an image and reputation, establishing one of the largest vineyards in Europe and the largest on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea.
This was also a strong impetus to initiate the planting of vines and wine production in the last few decades by opening family wineries with so-called small producers, who, with the valuable advice and support of former great experts from the Plantaže company, to whom deserved respect and gratitude should be expressed , boldly set out to, through family wine production and vineyard planting, giving added value to raising awareness of the importance of growing vines and overall wine culture in Montenegro.
My address on the nominated topic of the esteemed meeting will be a slightly different one, not a typical wine-growing narrative, but which of course corresponds with the expressed concern for the perspective of the Plantaže company for the stability of the Montenegrin economy, as one of the essential preconditions for preserving the country's national security.
Namely, the economic stability and security of the state are in a mutual cause-and-effect correlation and strongly influence each other through the implementation of state policy. The connection between economic development and economic stability and the country's national security is multidimensional and based on many elements and is not at all accidental, nor a new and unknown concept.
Usually, when it comes to national security, our first association is with the security services, the army, the police... However, we see that it is a much broader concept that touches almost all spheres of society. Economic stability and its development significantly influence the reduction of both external and internal threats and risks to the country's national security.
In this sense, we should refer to several of the most important strategic documents that define our state policy. Thus, in the National Security Strategy of Montenegro, as a national security interest and goal, stable and long-term economic development, protection of natural potentials and critical infrastructure of Montenegro, which includes, apart from airports, ports, railways, highways, energy and other facilities... as defined by the Law on Critical Infrastructure.
As a security risk and threat, the strategic documents state that economic, and thus economic, instability can result in political and social upheavals in society. Plantations, as one of the pillars of Montenegrin economic development, are undoubtedly exposed to that risk. Furthermore, in the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas of Montenegro, among other things, in the SWOT analysis, the conversion of agricultural land into construction land is cited as a threat to land management. Special attention should be paid to this moment, because any attempt to clear the vineyard and concretize that land complex would be completely contrary to the state interest and commitment expressed in the main national strategic document in the field of agriculture.
According to the company's development strategy, prepared by the management, the sale of part of the land for the realization of the necessary investments, in the amount of 65 to 70 million euros, is foreseen. We should not rule out the possibility that there is a serious intention to take decisive steps in the near future that should lead to the sale of the property, and to find an adequate solution with the state in order to settle the tax debt, as well as determine the funds that will allegedly be needed for implementation of further activities in accordance with the mentioned company development strategy. In this sense, it is very realistic that the regularity of salary payments, which is certainly a priority, will be secured from the sale of land. This irreversibly consumes the basic substance and the most valuable state resource.
Sale of a part of the vineyard land complex right next to the civil and military airport as facilities of strategic importance for the state, especially to foreign buyers who do not come from countries that share our Euro-Atlantic values of the collective security system, of which Montenegro is an integral part, and where the state is so strategically an important locality would not be able to have full monitoring from the aspect of security, is not only opposed to our foreign policy, defined by the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence of Montenegro, but if this happens, it could be considered a direct undermining of our national security.
In addition, by changing the character and purpose of the land, it is possible that the issue of the use of the magnificent Šipčanik wine cellar, which was once a military airport, will be re-opened. Later, through the successful valorization of military property, it was turned into an impressive space for wine aging and aging, located in the heart of the vineyard.
The basement is located at an average depth of more than 30 meters below the ground, and therefore in the context of some possible regional shifts that could potentially occur due to a change in geopolitical circumstances, it should not be ruled out that someone may still have the last intention of returning it to its former function. This certainly does not mean NATO.
It is known that the geostrategic importance of our region, and especially Montenegro due to its position and everything it has, was of special interest to the great world powers, and this is especially evident today in the era of major planetary earthquakes. Let's just remember the persistence of Russia to put the port of Bar into a completely different purpose and function. We should not be under the illusion that such and similar plans have been abandoned, on the contrary, it can be expected that other economic entities of vital importance for Montenegro will be even more strongly exposed to similar pressures in the time ahead.
We hope that Montenegro, as a member state of the collective security system and potentially the EU, will not allow such a strategic reversal and national collapse.
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