The government will soon respond to a request from the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) asking for documentation regarding the recently signed intergovernmental agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on cooperation in the field of tourism and real estate development, "Vijesti" has learned from several unofficial sources.
The governments of Montenegro and the UAE signed agreements on economic cooperation and cooperation in the fields of tourism and real estate development at a ceremony organized at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi at the end of March.
The documents were signed by the Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the presence of the President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
One of the sources of "Vijesti" explained that on April 10, MANS sent an initiative to the SDT to examine all the circumstances related to the preparation of this agreement, citing suspicions that this process could entail criminal liability for certain actors. The letter requests that the Prosecutor's Office identify those responsible and prevent possible damage to the state budget and public interest.
"The MANS letter states, among other things, that the president of the state Jakov Milatovic On April 9, he made serious accusations against the Agreement signed by the Prime Minister and sent to parliament for adoption. In addition, the MANS letter shows that Milatović stated that the agreement relating to tourism constitutes a violation of Montenegrin laws, the Constitution and the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, and that someone must bear criminal responsibility for this. Furthermore, although the MANS letter does not explicitly state this, according to the SDT, its content suggests that high-ranking public officials from the Government are being reported for criminal acts of corruption under Article 3, paragraph 1, item 2 of the SDT Law, and since the MANS data do not provide sufficient grounds for making a legally-based decision, the SDT has requested that the executive branch submit all available documentation on which the signing of this Agreement is based, as well as a written statement, as soon as possible,” a source told Vijesti.
Last month, from the Civic Movement parliamentary group, URA filed a criminal complaint with the SDT against the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, and other unidentified persons for signing an interstate agreement.
However, there is no official response from SDT to "Vijesti"'s questions about what they have done regarding this letter from MANS. There is also no information about what has been done regarding the criminal complaint filed by the URA parliamentary group against Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and other unknown persons, also in connection with this Agreement.
"Vijesti" asked the SDT about what activities have been undertaken regarding the MANS initiative and the URA criminal complaint, as well as whether any other reports have been received regarding the Agreement.
"On April 10, MANS sent a letter to the SDT requesting an initiative to implement measures within the competence of the SDT, in connection with the suspicions expressed in public that the preparation of the Agreement in the field of tourism and real estate development with the UAE entails criminal liability for those who participated in it. We expect the SDT to fully investigate the background of the creation of such a document, identify all those responsible and timely prevent possible damage to the state budget and public interest," the director of the MANS Research Center told "Vijesti". Dejan Milovac.
He added that after warnings from the European Commission, the non-governmental sector and the domestic public, the fact that the SDT is now examining the details that led to the conclusion of such an Agreement should be motivating enough for Montenegrin MPs to refuse to vote for this document until all the controversies that have accompanied it from day one are clarified.
President of the state Jakov Milatovic did not sign the Law on Ratification of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism and Real Estate Development between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the UAE and returned it to the Parliament of Montenegro for reconsideration at the end of April.
The Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism and Real Estate Development between the Governments of Montenegro and the UAE does not at first glance contradict European Union (EU) law, nor the Stabilization and Association Agreement of Montenegro with the EU (SAA) because it lacks sufficient details, but improper application and interpretation of some of its provisions could lead to violations of these regulations in the field of public procurement and discrimination of European and Montenegrin companies in favor of potential investors from the UAE. "Vijesti" has learned that this is the essence of the response of the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos at Milatović's request to receive an official opinion from her on the compliance of this agreement with the EU acquis, the SAA and the values it cherishes. Milatović requested the opinion to help him decide whether to promulgate the Law on Ratification of this agreement.
"Montenegro needs investments from credible companies that have had decades of successful large-scale projects, and for which the most reputable countries in the world are ready to guarantee. The Economic Cooperation Agreement has created a basis for expanding the area of cooperation, which will result in greater investments in Montenegro. The Tourism Cooperation Agreement represents the basis for projects that will rapidly accelerate economic growth, create new jobs and improve the standard and quality of life, evenly distributing the benefits in the south and north of the country. That is why I emphasize the provision of the Agreement that foresees the development of projects in different regions of Montenegro for the first time in history, taking into account the balanced development of our country," Prime Minister Milojko Spajić emphasized after the signing in March.
Performers “Darovi za Alabara”
MANS has announced a performance for today called "Gifts for Alabara", which will be organized starting at 8.30:XNUMX on the plateau in front of the "Hilton" hotel in Podgorica.
The performance is organized by non-governmental organizations and civic activists who oppose the Agreement with the UAE, and after the statements, symbolic gifts will be presented to the Arab investor Alabar as a sign of protest against the Agreement with the UAE.
The owner of the UAE-based Eagle Hills company, Mohamed Alabar, who is one of the potential investors for investments in Montenegro, is participating in the two-day RE.D conference, which begins today in Podgorica. He will speak on the topic "Development of megaprojects and their impact on the local economy of the country."
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