The Municipal Board of the Democratic Party (DPS) Kotor announced today that it strongly condemns the latest proposal by the Government of Montenegro that Crnogorska plovidba sell its vessels, which, they added, practically and formally confirms that this state-owned company is moving towards closure.
"What we have been warning about for months – that Crnogorska plovidba is being systematically, silently and without public debate destroyed – has now become clear to every citizen. We would like to remind you that as a committee, we duly submitted a request to the Parliament of Montenegro to launch a civil petition 'Petition to Save Crnogorska plovidba' on April 30, 2024 via the official online form, in accordance with the law. Immediately afterwards, we also sent a letter/urgency electronically, to which we never received a response. The petition was not published within the legal deadline, nor were we, as the submitters, informed of its possible rejection – which the Parliament was obliged to do. This constituted a conscious and deliberate obstruction of citizens' rights and an attempt to prevent the public from participating in the defense of state property," the DPS Kotor statement states.
They added that the petition's demands were clear, constructive and based on public interest:
- that the Board of Directors of Crnogorska plovidba immediately suspend all requests from Barska plovidba that have no legal basis, especially those concerning the handover of ships;
- to abandon the contract on business and technical cooperation with Barska plovidba, and to cancel the extraordinary shareholders' meetings at which its adoption was planned;
- that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs commits to an open public debate with maritime experts, including international experts;
- to immediately depoliticize and professionalize the Board of Directors of Crnogorska plovidba, as a basic condition for its stable functioning;
- that the new Board of Directors provide professional management with experience in maritime affairs, without party-based staffing.
"The company operated with an optimal number of employees, regularly paid off its obligations and was not burdened with excessive administration. Unlike Barska plovidba, which is only majority-owned by the state, Crnogorska plovidba is 100% state-owned – and that is precisely why it seemed necessary to first behead it and then sell it off. If the Government of Montenegro really wanted to help, why didn't it help in employing ships, but rather transferred that task to another company? Why is a strategic maritime company being pushed into bankruptcy, instead of making an effort, at least towards the end of the loan repayment, to revitalize it and finally become profitable?" said the DPS Kotor.
They stated that unfortunately, with this attitude, the Government of Montenegro is not only showing disinterest towards Crnogorska plovidba, but also towards Kotor and the people of Kotor.
"Kotor today is not only under the attack of bad decisions, but also under pressure from politics that are trying to turn it into an object from which to take - and not a community in which to invest. The decisions of this Government show a level of ruthlessness that we have not seen, an attempt to bring Kotor and its people to the point of powerlessness, deprived of the right to a voice and the right to a future. But what the Government does not recognize is the fact that Kotor has never been easily broken," said the DPS Kotor.
They said that the maritime industry in Kotor was not destroyed even by much more powerful enemies and conquerors.
"Although, it is true - the fiercest fight is being waged against domestic ones. However, regardless of political or party differences, we deeply believe that we can and must agree on this topic. Because this is not just a matter of business or public property - this is a matter of identity, tradition and dignity that has been inherited in Kotor for hundreds of years," said the DPS Kotor.
DON'T MISS IT
Bonus video:
