Urban planning researcher at the University Institute of Lisbon and member of the KANA group, Sonja Dragović, warned that Montenegro's agreement with the United Arab Emirates is deeply problematic, highlighting the country's worrying attitude towards spatial planning.
She pointed out in "Colors of Morning" on Television Vijesti that the way this agreement is being prepared - without public debate, without transparency, outside of strategic plans - is a symptom of the long-term and systematic neglect of spatial planning in Montenegro.
"The Montenegrin coast is crying out for better management, not another wave of investor urbanism," says Dragović, recalling that similar development models in Budva and Boka have brought more problems than benefits.
"In the era of climate change, concreting the coast is irresponsible," she emphasized, adding that Montenegro must not continue on a path that ignores its own laws, strategies, and European obligations.
Dragović criticized the messages from the Government towards municipalities that do not want to participate in the implementation of the agreement, calling them "unfair and blackmailing".
She also recalled previous cases when the state responded to citizen resistance in a similar tone, such as the halted construction of a kindergarten in Bar.
"This is a continuation of the central government's relationship with local communities - ignorant and authoritarian," she said.
As someone who currently lives and works in Portugal, Dragović pointed out the difference in approach.
"There has been a serious debate in Lisbon about the location of the new airport for seven years. Here, decisions worth billions of euros are made in a few days, without consultation," she concluded.
Dragović appeals to MPs to "finally start thinking for themselves" and to seriously ask themselves about the responsibility they have towards the citizens and Montenegro's European path.
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