Đeljošaj: The state did not violate the contract, I expect the court in London to rule in our favor in the dispute over Sveti Stefan

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Nik Đeljošaj said that he expects the Arbitration Court in London to rule in favor of the state in the dispute over the Sveti Stefan hotel complex, and that he believes that the state did not violate the contract.

He announced this at a press conference after the Government session.

Đeljošaj pointed out that Sveti Stefan closed the lease and handed over the state of Montenegro to the Arbitration Court in London. He emphasized that they then filed a counterclaim, and in order to protect the state's interests, they also submitted an inquiry that was adopted internally by the Government. He emphasized that he does not expect a decision in May.

The arbitration officially began on May 5th, putting an end to the possibility that the two parties, on the one hand the company "Adriatic Properties", and its partner companies "Aidway Investments Limited" and "Amanresorts Management", and on the other hand the Government, or rather the Ministry of Economic Development, and the state-owned companies HTP "Miločer" and "Sveti Stefan Hotels", could reach an agreement on a partial settlement and termination of the arbitration proceedings and the opening of the elite resort this summer.

"I expect the state to protect its interests because the state did not violate the contract that was verified in the Parliament with a single move. It did not make any mistake, or rather, did not make any decision that violated the contract. The contract is still in force and I urge the tenant to open the hotels," he said.

Airports under concession depending on bids

Asked about the tender for concession bids for Airports of Montenegro, which ends tomorrow, Đeljošaj emphasized that he will open bids with interested bidders, while the Tender Commission will submit its opinion on granting the concession to the Government within a month.

"The final decision depends on the offers. We can accept one if it is the best, based on the criteria that have been set. If the offers do not satisfy the interests of Montenegro, we can repeat the procedure...", he stated.