There are no administrative, legal or any other barriers to the implementation of the project to build a tourist eco-center on the slopes of Lake Šasko near Ulcinj, "Vijesti" was confirmed by multiple sources.
The newspaper's interlocutor, who actively participated in the negotiations, said that he understands the increased public interest in the project, considering the infamous spring adventure of an Arab company regarding the lease of a beach and projects in the entire area of Velika Plaza.
"But this is a completely different story," he said, requesting anonymity.
He stated that the public should know that the investigations into the purchase of land on Lake Šasko, which were opened almost ten years ago and have recently become topical again in some circles, were archived long ago due to lack of evidence.
"The project for the construction of a hotel and tourist complex on Lake Šasko is completely clear, transparent and clean. We are waiting for the necessary papers, after which the conceptual design and project will be developed, and then the construction of a complex worth tens of millions of euros, and perhaps even more, will begin. We are firmly convinced that this project will arouse the interest of other credible investors because Ulcinj has something to offer," he said.
At this location of over 80 thousand square meters, there has already been a long-standing study of the possibility of building a tourist resort, which has been included in the spatial plans.
The company “Eagle Hills Montenegro”, owned by an Arab billionaire Mohamed AlabaraOn October 2, she signed a joint venture agreement with the company “Cungu & Co” from Ulcinj, which she manages. Nickname Cungu, which envisages the establishment of the company “Eagle Hills Ecovillage Shas Podgorica”. The Podgorica-based company “Bond”, which was formed on September 17th of this year, is also a partner in the business as an intermediary.
Ten years ago, the land was under investigation by the prosecutor's office.
Almost ten years ago, the Municipal State Prosecutor's Office (ODT) and the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) investigated how several tens of thousands of municipal lands on the slopes of Lake Šasko near Ulcinj passed into the hands of private individuals, among whom was the then mayor of the Ulcinj Municipality, Cungu.
At the press conference, Cungu then showed a paper from the ODT, which showed that the main prosecutor had given up on further prosecution due to lack of evidence.
The "Šas" case was initiated by the then head of the Ulcinj SDP Selim Resulbegović directly accusing Cungu of illegally appropriating 32.000 square meters of state land through a location study for ŠAS, estimating that Montenegro was thereby damaged by millions of euros.
Resulbegović then also showed a map of Šas with marked private property of Cungu, with an area of about 50.000 square meters, bordered by state land of 32.000 square meters.
He stated that the study on state land does not envisage the construction of buildings, but rather a park that represents an outlet to the coast of Lake Šaš for Cungu's land.
He assessed that the city's first man had to protect the general, not his own, interest and that he had to change the location study when he came to power.
Responding to the accusations, Cungu said that he bought the 50.000 square meters in 2007 when he submitted a request for a location study. He then showed reporters documentation showing that two years later, the then mayor of the municipality Gzim Hajdinaga, and not him, made the decision to develop a location study for an eco-rural tourism center in Šas on an area of 83.000 square meters.
Cungu said at the time that when he came to power in 2011, he "just continued the work he had started, which was completed in a completely legal and transparent manner."
It will be a globally recognized eco-destination
The new company will, as announced, develop a world-renowned eco-tourism destination in Ulcinj.
In a statement issued by the company "Eagle Hills Montenegro", after signing the contract, they announced that the signed agreement represents an important step in realizing the vision of "EcoVillage Shas", a sustainable tourist complex designed to unite hospitality, nature and cultural heritage.
"The project will include environmentally friendly accommodation, wellness and hospitality concepts, as well as recreational facilities, offering an authentic Montenegrin experience, while preserving the unique natural environment of the Šas area in Ulcinj," the company "Eagle Hills Montenegro" said in a statement.
Alabar said on the occasion of signing the agreement that it was a great beginning.
"We assure you that we will create something unique and special, usually everything you start from scratch, it takes 12 months for everything to go right with the architects, designers... The construction would be 24 to 30 months. But what we are going to create is something so special, a place that, when you come to Montenegro, you will have to visit, and once you visit it, you will not want to leave," said Alabar.
His company stated that by protecting the biodiversity of Lake Šasko and preserving the cultural heritage known as the 'Balkan Atlantis', the project aims to improve Montenegro's global reputation as a destination where nature and history are preserved.
On behalf of the company "Cungu & Co", Cungu said that they had been waiting for a strategic partner for a long time and that he believed that Ulcinj would receive an admirable investment with this project.
The company "Eagle Hills Montenegro" said that "EcoVillage Shas" will simultaneously stimulate the local economy through the creation of new jobs, cooperation with local businesses and the creation of new opportunities for the residents of Ulcinj.
Elezagić: The arrival of famous and powerful opportunities for Ulcinj
Economic analyst Skender Elezagić He assessed that the project on Lake Šasko is beneficial for Ulcinj and its residents and that it should have the support of the local authorities.
"First of all, I would like to remind you that I was proven right when I said earlier that it is quite certain that such a renowned company did not come to Montenegro to clean beaches and rent out umbrellas. The entry of well-known and powerful investors, even for developed countries, and not for the small and underdeveloped market of Montenegro, represents a major event, which has positive repercussions on overall economic flows, if it is a serious, well-designed development project. However, it can also have very negative consequences if it is a speculative intention," Elezagić told "Vijesti".
He stated that he had no information about the details of the contract that was recently concluded.
"What can be said is that this is a contract between two private companies that have found a common interest in combining the land owned by one company with the financial resources, experience, and market position of the other company and using all of this to implement a project at a location for which there is valid spatial planning documentation, and that there is nothing controversial about this in principle. These are serious companies with extensive experience, which certainly know that the overall success of their project and the profit they will make from it depends not only on the quality of what they will build there, but also on the overall environment in which these properties are located. Certainly, this will be an incentive to start solving numerous infrastructure problems, without which there can be no serious development of tourism," said Elezagić.
He is convinced that such a project is beneficial for Ulcinj and the people of Ulcinj and that it will receive the full support of local authorities.
"This is certainly an opportunity for Ulcinj and Alabar to clarify the reasons for the 'fierce conflict'. This is an opportunity for Alabar to understand that the people of Ulcinj are not some primitive people who are afraid of development, but conscientious citizens who love their city, who value the natural resources that God has given them and from which they have lived for centuries, who are well aware of the need to invest in development, but who are also aware that uncontrolled, excessive development, behind which speculative intentions are hidden, can have disastrous consequences for nature and the population that lives here," said Elezagić.
He recalled that in all statements and conclusions made by the local administration regarding the "Alabar case", it was emphasized that any development project that is in accordance with the valid spatial planning documentation and development strategies of the Municipality of Ulcinj is welcome.
"These documents even offer specific projects. I think this specific project in Šas is one of those projects and should be implemented in full cooperation between the investor and the local government," he said.
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