Again about economic citizenship: For investors or persons on warrants

After suspending the plan 5 years ago, due to the suggestions of the European Union, the Government is again thinking about introducing economic detention. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TV Vijesti confirmed that they are considering the experiences of other countries and models by which foreign investors can obtain a passport of another country for money, but they did not specify if and when they will introduce this institute.

"In Montenegro, the comparative experiences of countries with similar programs are considered and different models and programs that could accelerate the further economic development of Montenegro are analyzed. Such programs can be a good platform for animating quality and renowned investors and valorizing potential," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

In the first version, which existed for a short time in 2010, Montenegrin citizenship cost 500.000 euros, a good part of which was supposed to go to the state coffers.

"I am aware that the Government has issued a quality instruction on the criteria that are necessary for economic citizenship. One of the basic criteria is the fact that the owner of the investor company must be ranked by a world-renowned audit firm, which would submit a report on its creditworthiness to the Government ", said lawyer Zoran Begović.

Begović clarifies that there are no legal obstacles for the state to sell passports. It only needs to amend the Law on Citizenship. In practice, however, problems can always arise.

"I have to tell you honestly that life is always somewhere ahead of the law. You know that no matter how ideal the law is, there is always a life situation that can get in the way," says Begović.

Therefore Slaven Radunović, President of the Committee for European Integration, doubts about the Government's intentions - that it wants to increase investments through economic citizenship.

"Of course, I'm afraid this means buying citizenship for people who don't have money of questionable origin, but are wanted by Interpol," he said.

Economic citizenship, which has existed in the world for several decades, was introduced on European soil by Great Britain, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. However, the European Union did not look kindly on the idea of ​​Montenegro joining them in the sale of passports. In 2010, she did not directly ask the Government in Podgorica to cancel the program, but she underlined that the rules in that area must be harmonized with the European Convention on Nationalities. After that suggestion, the government gave up on economic citizenship.

"The EU is watching what is happening in Montenegro with open eyes because it is clear that there is no political will in Montenegro to start a fight against suspicious activities, I think that they will interpret this move in the way that I interpreted it now. I think that it can slow down Montenegrin integration," said Radunović.

Even without selling passports, the granting of Montenegrin citizenship to foreigners caused a series of controversies. The most famous one is related to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai Prime Minister, who in 2009 was granted papers under a summary procedure, without explaining why. As a person of special importance for the state, scientific, economic, economic and other interests of Montenegro, Montenegrin documents also have Wei Seng Pua from Malaysia, who was arrested in Las Vegas last year for organizing betting on World Cup matches.

The most recent example is the former Palestinian security minister Mohamed Dahlan, who was accused of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from state funds. Prime Minister Milo Đukanović personally requested that Dahlan and his family be granted citizenship, because, as Đukanović states in the letter, the Palestinian businessman is a great supporter of Montenegrin independence, and he is responsible for establishing quality relations with the family of the United Arab Emirates.