Ćulafić: The state has not taken any concrete steps in the bankruptcy proceedings against Solana in the past two decades

In the bankruptcy proceedings over the Solana plant in the past two decades, the state has not taken any concrete steps, said the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić.

As announced by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS), Ćulafić participated in the session of the Green Parliamentary Group of the Parliament of Montenegro on the topic "Ulcinj Saltworks - Challenges, Opportunities and Development Perspectives, in the Light of EU Integration".

"Today's topic, the Ulcinj Salt Pan, is a large and extremely important one, both for Chapter 27 and for Montenegro as a whole. It is a unique resource and a unique ecosystem with rich biodiversity, which needs to be preserved and maintained. Unfortunately, like many other resources that Montenegro had, this one was neglected and neglected for a long time," said Ćulafić.

He added that in every society there are individuals and organizations that recognize the value of such resources and care for them even when the state is not listening enough.

"As is known, Chapter 27 was opened in 2018, which is rightly considered one of the most complex and demanding, but also the most expensive chapters in the process of European integration," the minister reminded.

He said that one of the obligations within this framework was to resolve the issue of managing the Ulcinj Salt Pan, that is, forming a manager for this important resource, but also creating conditions for its further functioning and development.

"The fact is that from 2019 until a few months ago, we did not have a formed manager for the Salt Mine, which perhaps best reflects the state's attitude towards this resource in the previous period," the minister stated.

According to him, in the meantime, the Municipality of Ulcinj made an extremely important decision in 2019, declaring the Ulcinj Salt Mine a Nature Park with the temporary management of the JPNPCG. In this way, the local administration, within the framework of legal possibilities, made a significant contribution to its protection.

"The National Parks of Montenegro, which today serve as temporary managers, also made their contribution. They not only take care of this area, but also the legal and employment status of 22 employees, which represents an important social component," the minister assessed.

Ćulafić, as stated, recalled and emphasized the importance of signing the agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the Municipality of Ulcinj, which provides for the formation of a special manager.

"It was agreed that the state has a 60 percent ownership stake, and the Municipality of Ulcinj 40 percent, with the obligation to consider increasing the municipality's share every year, so that after five years, management can be fully transferred to the local level," the minister said.

Furthermore, as he added, we have faced challenges in the meantime, especially after the adoption of the new Law on Business Companies, which further complicated the process of forming a management board.

"We expect that the amendments to that law will enable the state to fulfill its obligation, adopt the statute and form management bodies in accordance with the previously reached agreement," the minister said.

According to him, it is important to point out one fact, which is that the bankruptcy of Solana was opened in 2004, and the state of Montenegro, through the protector of property and legal interests, did not take concrete steps in that procedure for almost two decades.

He also said that he believes this is very indicative and deserves additional analysis and responsibility.

"The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development has taken concrete steps through the National Parks, a temporary manager has been provided, and an 8 km long embankment rehabilitation project, worth 510 thousand euros, has been proposed in the capital budget. According to information from the Ministry of Public Works, the tender for the works is expected by the end of April or during May, so that the works can be carried out in the summer months," said Ćulafić.

He said that, in parallel, work is being done on preparing quality project applications for European funds, with the aim of investing around 16 million euros in the development of the Ulcinj Saltworks in the next five years.