The Director of the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS), Vanja Ćalović Marković, called on MPs not to adopt the Agreement on Cooperation in Tourism and Real Estate Development that Montenegro signed with the United Arab Emirates today, but to hold a public debate on the document and involve international experts.
She said this at a performance she held with the Center for the Protection and Study of Birds (CZIP) and other NGOs in front of the Parliament building.
MPs are due to vote on the Agreement for the second time today, after the previous adoption by the President of the Republic, Jakov Milatović, returned the document for reconsideration.
The crowd unfurled a banner that read "Honor and disgrace live forever," which also included pictures of all the MPs who supported the agreement in the first round of voting.
Ćalović Marković added that this decision should have been made on the eve of Good Friday, and that since April 16 there was enough time for the Government to organize a serious public debate and hear arguments for adoption.
"We only heard additional criticism, which came from the European Union, from experts and Montenegrin institutions. At no point was there a discussion, we invite MPs and offer a solution, and we ask for a discussion and the inclusion of experts from the EU. If there are no problems, this will be shown in the public debate. They said that this is a historic deal for Montenegro, why did everyone remain silent? We call on MPs to stop making petty political deals...", she said and emphasized that the Agreement should include clauses for the prevention of corruption and money laundering, as well as environmental protection.
CZIP Director Jovana Janjušević added that today is a big day for Montenegro, when MPs will be heroes and protectors or "cowards and traitors," and that the state and beaches are not for buying and renting.
"Professions and science will not be extinguished and silenced by parliamentary gymnastics in five acts, this is not a game of Monopoly. We do not want agreements to be made behind closed doors. If you know humanity and heroism, now is the time to show it - today it means protecting what belongs to all of us. Remember, MPs," she said.
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