Prime Minister's statement Milojko Spajić that the Draft Agreement that the Government is to sign with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is similar to those that Montenegro signed with France and Italy, is not true because none of them included provisions on the non-transparent allocation of state land without a public call, tender or competition.
This was stated by the director of the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS) for "Vijesti". Vanja Ćalović Marković.
"Prime Minister Spajić's statement that Montenegro has already signed similar agreements with France and Italy, as well as that the European Union had a similar agreement with the Emirates, is incorrect. None of these agreements contain provisions that could be compared to the most controversial parts of the agreement between Montenegro and the UAE - especially when it comes to the non-transparent allocation of state land without a public call, tender or competitive procedure," Ćalović Marković stated.
Spajić claims there will be no corruption
Spajić made the claims about the similarity of this with the agreements that the government has already signed, at the Prime Minister's Office two days ago, when he said that it enables the arrival of the most serious investors to Montenegro for the purpose of business development. He added that there is no place for corruption and dirty capital in this agreement, because the entire process will be carried out within the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, and the UAE guarantees the projects...
"A very similar agreement that Montenegro will sign was signed by the European Union with the UAE. Every intergovernmental agreement that Montenegro signs has a clause regarding public procurement and tenders, however, this is a standard formulation that we have also signed with France, Israel, Italy, Hungary and every other European country when we signed intergovernmental agreements. That formulation that it is specifically intended for anyone is not correct. The most important thing is that the UAE directly guarantees and stands behind the project," Spajić emphasized, adding that "the United States of America will soon sign a similar agreement with the UAE, in order to invest 1.100 billion euros in the next ten years."
The Government Delegation led by Spajić is on an official visit to the Emirates, while the adopted platform states that they will meet with the President of the UAE. Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as with the Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zejoudi.
"During the visit, the Prime Minister will also sign an agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the UAE on economic cooperation and an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism and Real Estate Development. These documents will establish a legal framework for dynamizing economic cooperation in areas defined as mutually beneficial," the platform states.
It was this Agreement with the UAE on cooperation in tourism and real estate development that caused a heated reaction in the public and the Municipality of Ulcinj because it was planned as the basis for negotiations on the construction of a megaproject on the local Velika Plaza, which would be leased for 99 years to an investor. Mohamed Alabar for the construction of hotels and other tourist facilities.
"Vijesti" did not receive a response from Spajić's Cabinet yesterday about the similarities between this agreement and the agreements that the Government previously signed with France, Italy and the European Union, and whether the procedures for tenders and competition are identical...
Political dialogue, not economic arrangements
Ćalović Marković pointed out that agreements on scientific and technological cooperation, the construction of a submarine power cable, maritime transport and other infrastructure and development-technical topics have been signed with Italy, as well as an agreement with the Abruzzo region, but that neither provides for special legal privileges for foreign investors, nor exemptions from legal procedures for the disposal of state resources.
"Regarding the alleged 'similar agreement' between the European Union and the Emirates, the Prime Minister was most likely referring to the Cooperation Agreement between the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was signed on 31 January 2018. However, that document relates exclusively to strengthening political dialogue and cooperation in areas such as energy, climate change, trade, security and research. The agreement does not include any economic arrangements that would foresee the sale or long-term transfer of state property, nor does it contain any exceptions to public procurement and competition rules," said Ćalović Marković.
According to her, an agreement was concluded with France in 2024 on the procurement of patrol ships, a cooperation agreement with the French Development Agency, as well as an agreement on the exchange of classified information, and that none of these agreements contain provisions on the privileged status of French investors or circumvention of domestic legislation on public procurement and management of state property.
She emphasized that the interstate agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism and real estate development that the Government plans to sign with the UAE, foresees that the state will directly negotiate the sale and long-term lease of state-owned land.
"That is, that state land be given to an investor chosen by the government of another state, without a public tender that would enable competition among investors and their project ideas, or the benefits that the state of Montenegro would have from these deals. The provision of that Agreement that obliges the Government to adapt laws to the interests of investors is also very problematic. Namely, Article 3, paragraph one, indent of that Agreement states that, for the purpose of implementing projects, the Government of Montenegro "shall implement all legislative measures necessary for the successful implementation of projects". Firstly, the Government cannot assume such an obligation, because the adoption of laws is within the competence of the Parliament. Secondly, assuming such an obligation may be directly contrary to the European integration process, which has clear standards when it comes to transparency and competition in the disposal of state property", stated Ćalović Marković.
Extreme opacity
The Ulcinj Municipal Assembly expressed concern over the non-transparent procedure and the announcement that the company "Eagle Hills Properties", owned by Alabar, could, with the blessing of the Government, lease the Big Beach.
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During the discussion yesterday, the councilors emphasized that they are concerned about the extreme lack of transparency and haste of the entire process, and that this leads them to be cautious and fear the possible negative consequences that could have on current and future generations.
"The Ulcinj Municipality Assembly views with extreme concern the agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the UAE, which could lead to the suspension of certain laws and spatial plans and established procedures concerning the areas of Velika Plaza and the Municipality of Ulcinj, and we hereby express our absolute opposition. The Municipality of Ulcinj undertakes to inform the investor, the UAE Embassy in Montenegro, and all other international institutions about these conclusions," the conclusions state.
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