Ivanovic: We receive the recommendations from the EC with full attention and respect

We receive the recommendations coming from the European Commission (EC) with full attention and respect, announced today Filip Ivanović, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Montenegro for Foreign and European Affairs.

"The letter from the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Union, Ms. Marta Kos, explicitly confirming that the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism and Real Estate Development between Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates, in its form and substance, does not contain provisions that would be contrary to the EU acquis, is a confirmation of what I clearly stated at the session of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament. As I pointed out then, the agreements in their content are not in conflict with the legal order of the European Union, nor with the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). On the contrary, this is clearly stated in the agreements. It is also important to recall that their implementation and concretization have not yet begun, so we cannot currently speak of their actual legal or practical effect," Ivanovic stressed in a statement.

He added that Montenegro remains consistently committed to its European path.

"All international activities of the Government are aimed at strengthening economic relations, but always in accordance with the strategic goal of membership in the European Union and the obligations arising from that process," said Ivanović.

"Vijesti" published this morning that the essence of yesterday's response by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to the request of President Jakov Milatović was that "The Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism and Real Estate Development between the Governments of Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is at first glance not contrary to European Union (EU) law or the Stabilization and Association Agreement of Montenegro with the EU (SAA), because it does not contain enough 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 against European and Montenegrin companies in favor of potential investors from the UAE."

Milatović said today, regarding Kos' response, that the European Commission's opinion represents a warning and calls for caution before the second parliamentary vote on the Agreement with the UAE.

Although he had not received the opinion of Kos, on April 29, Milatović returned this Law to the Parliament for reconsideration, while he signed the decree promulgating the Agreement on Economic Cooperation with the UAE.