The draft spatial plan of Montenegro envisages the construction of two highways and seven airports, said Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, adding that the plan should provide general guidelines for the future development of the country.
Abazović, presenting the spatial plan at the Government session, said that the most important focus is on the development of traffic infrastructure and energy.
He said that two main highways, Adriatic-Ionian and Bar-Boljare, are scheduled to be built.
As he added, it is planned to build a new route Kolašin-Andrijevica-Peć.
"The construction of a new road between Bijelo Polje and Pljevlja, towards Goražde, is planned, which should open Pljevlja," said Abazović, adding that it is a completely new road.
According to him, the construction of two highways and the expansion of additional roads will enable every part of the country to be maximally connected.
Abazović pointed out that a bridge will not be built on Veriga, which could cause major problems related to the UNESCO status of Boka Kotorska.
As Abazović said, the spatial plan foresees that Montenegro will have seven airports.
"In addition to Tivat and Podgorica, Nikšić and Berane have large airports. Airports are planned in Bar and Ulcinj, Pljevlja and Žabljak. These are airports that will first of all have a touristic role, for the landing of small planes, other types of aircraft, firefighting planes," said Abazović.
When it comes to water transport, well-known routes are provided.
"The main goal is the connection of the Port of Bar with Italy. The spatial plan does not limit the new lines that will be introduced, whether they will be ferry lines, international traffic..." said the Prime Minister.
Speaking about energy, he said that the goal is to become an energy independent country by 2030.
He announced that the doubling of the underwater cable that goes to Italy is planned, as well as the construction of wind farms throughout the country.
Novaković Đurović: The document envisages intensive development of the north
The Minister of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urban Planning Ana Novaković Đurović said that the spatial plan is the most important strategic plan in the planning system that determines the goals of spatial development.
"The government managed to bring the document to the draft stage, to shape it 80 percent. The government made it possible for Montenegro to receive a spatial plan until the year 2040 by the end of the year," said Novaković Đurović.
She stated that more than 30 experts, as well as representatives of all municipalities, participated in the development of the plan.
Novaković Đurović emphasized that the document envisages intensive development of the northern region.
According to her, special emphasis is placed on the segment of waste management.
"It is foreseen that there will be landfills and recycling centers in every municipality, which will be regulated in more detail by the state plan on waste management," said Novaković Đurović.
She said that the feature of the planning document is that the need to respect ecological principles is emphasized to the greatest extent.
"The document also foresees restrictions in the part of construction in order to protect the space in relation to decades of devastation," said Novaković Đurović.
Svetlana Jovanović, head of the development of the spatial plan until 2040, said that the goal of the document is to achieve complementary development.
"And that all sectoral development policies can develop in a complementary way and find a balance when it comes to the development of infrastructure and the protection of space," said Jovanović.
She said that the plan emphasizes the population, which, as she stated, is the key capital of the state.
"And I think that we should pay attention to the strategy and policy of demographic development," said Jovanović.
She said that the number of inhabitants in the northern region is decreasing, while in the central and southern regions it is increasing.
"We need to invest a lot in order to stop negative trends and turn to positive ones in the next ten to 15 years. With development, we must become the retention of people in the north", said Jovanović.
She said that the planning goal is investment in human capital.
"We gave a series of recommendations on how we could have a targeted effect on stopping negative trends and development in the north," said Jovanović.
According to her, an important aspect is the reduction of the risk of natural and technical-technological disasters acting together.
"The goal is to create a comprehensive resilience of the state to respond to such opportunities. "We are not yet at an adequate level of readiness to be able to say that we are resistant to seismic risk," said Jovanović.
Bonus video:
