The session of the Parliament, which will discuss the Draft Laws on Ratifying the Agreements between Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22. These agreements relate to economic cooperation, tourism and real estate development.
This was confirmed by Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić, at a session that resumed shortly before 11 a.m., or almost XNUMX hours after it was adjourned. Mandić had originally called the adjournment so that the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget could give its opinion on the agreements.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić emphasized that the postponement of the discussion on these agreements was decided at a parliamentary collegium he attended, but Mandić emphasized that it was a meeting of the parliamentary majority.
Spajić said that he had set aside a whole day and was there for every question, that they had heard many opinions, but not enough constructive ones, and that he had expected more good ideas and advice.
"I understand that people are tired, we have heard various accusations that we promised someone something that had to be adopted tonight, and that was the constant story of the opposition. Everyone said that they were not against investors, but, but, but, people are not used to what dynamics, development mean... You are not used to it," said Spajić, and in response to the remark of one of the MPs who said "turbo speed", he stated that it was like that for them because their average salary was 500 euros in 2011, and the same in 2020.
He added that it is a "snail" and standing still for ten years, and that what the Government is doing is "Formula 1" and a space shuttle. He emphasized that this is a new, unprecedented dynamic. Spajić emphasized that it is not a problem to postpone the discussion until Tuesday, and that they just wanted to encourage them to work in the interests of the citizens.
It is expected that Spajić will not attend the rest of the session due to his departure to the United States of America.
"No problem, you will continue on Tuesday, unfortunately without me. We saw that the only doubt was the speed of the process, now we have slowed down the process and we have resolved all your doubts. There were two interviews with Alabar tonight and the gist of it was that Alabar said that depending on the project, we are considering different figures. He said I don't know how much we will invest, but the projects I am investing in range from three to 15 billion," said Spajić, adding that he said that his minimum investment in Montenegro would be 2,5 billion euros.
He emphasized that the agreement envisages cooperation in industry, security technologies, aviation, trade, small and medium-sized enterprises, e-government and other areas...
Spajić stated that he was talking about this when he spoke about 35 billion, and that the MPs are not commenting on individual projects, but that all of these projects collectively amount to 35 billion euros.
He claims that many untruths have been directed at his account and that it is clear that this agreement will be a generator of economic growth. He explained that the value of the project would be in the tens of billions, if the investment were made per square kilometer, or at the same value, as in the case of Tivat's "Porto Montenegro". He states that the investment there on 0,25 square kilometers is worth one billion euros, which would mean that the investment per square kilometer is about four billion.
"How much would the investment in the 20 square kilometers that you mentioned involve, I did not mention them. Do the math yourself, 20 square kilometers would imply, a colleague from the opposition throws in a figure of 80 billion which would imply this size, if they were to invest at the rate of "Porto Montenegro", he emphasized and added that the project does not currently exist, but that everything will be done transparently and in agreement with the municipalities.
Spajić thanked the deputies for their work throughout the day.
Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić has paused the work of the Assembly until its committees hold sessions on agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
MP from the Democratic Union of Albanians Mehmed Zenka pointed out that statements that there has not been a better opportunity for Montenegro in 100 years actually mean that there has not been a greater misfortune for Ulcinj and the country. He pointed out that the money from the investments will not end up in the state treasury, but that Montenegro will have to allocate part of the funds for infrastructure.
Zenka stressed that none of the locals will benefit from the investments made by Muhamed Alabar, but that they will need permits to enter the area. As he says, this is the case in all of his projects around the world.
Civic Movement URA MP Miloš Konatar added that happiness cannot be built on someone else's misfortune, so consensus is needed.
Mandić said that a campaign has been going on for days against the framework agreements, and that investors will see that Montenegro has no desire to negotiate. That is why, as he says, they want an agreement because the project does not have to be built in Ulcinj.
"We are proving that we are ready for an agreement and that we have an address that can negotiate an investment. There are no specific deals around Velika Plaza, Mala Plaza, or Buljarica, this is the framework that qualifies us for further talks and that is how I see it," he said.
He said that one agreement would be discussed for three hours, followed by another three hours on the UAE agreement.
Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić asked MPs not to make the same mistake he made in the case of the "Porto Montenegro" project, and to believe that there is money and investment for Ulcinj, Sinjajevina and Hajla. Mandić stressed that the agreement is the basis for concrete projects.
Social Democrat MP Boris Mugoša stated that turning off the microphones will not discipline the MPs, and that it is not about specific investments, but rather about bending some spines due to political intentions.
President and MP of the Civic Movement URA, Dritan Abazović, added that this agreement has spoiled Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, and will also spoil Easter because it is an unnecessary urgency.
"Nor are the citizens of Ulcinj and Montenegro against investments, but they are against giving away property, heritage, and the pearls of Montenegro through non-transparent procedures. What you want to do is scandalous and ten times worse than anything we have seen so far. If you think we will watch this and applaud those of you who were promised something for the sake of the agreement - you are very mistaken," Abazović stated, adding that there is no greater sacred thing than someone's property.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that Montenegro will get used to this speed because citizens demand economic progress, and that there is no reason to delay the agreement.
Democratic Party of Socialists MP Andrija Nikolić added that citizens must be warned that there is no rush and that it is impossible to explain why the next session is not being held. He emphasized that the opinion of the European Commission should be awaited, but that it is much smarter and less risky for a serious state and government to avoid non-transparent procedures in the selection of private strategic partners, even though they have undoubted references.
The Special Club of Deputies emphasized that the correctness of the ruling majority is also demonstrated by the fact that the deputies entered the parliament through a side entrance.
Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić stressed that this is the first time such a large investment has been announced and that it is an opportunity for the revival of Montenegro. He pointed out that he is aware of the problems with the Municipality of Ulcinj, but that the agreement does not apply to one city and that he is receiving calls from representatives of local authorities from various cities - so that construction can begin as soon as possible in various locations. He referred to the fact that he had previously disputed the megaproject in Tivat.
"I admit my mistake because the Porto Montenegro project is better than the one I advocated. A fair deal that can only improve Montenegro, seven gross domestic products are at stake and we have the opportunity to take the project. The question is how will we position ourselves? We have positioned ourselves responsibly and this should be a day of joy in this parliament," said Mandić.
The deputies voted to accept the Government's proposal and to supplement the session's agenda with draft laws ratifying two agreements with the United Arab Emirates.
A number of MPs and the opposition previously claimed that the rapid inclusion of the agreement on the agenda violated the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament, so the Speaker of the Parliament Andrija Mandić put that issue to a vote. The MPs determined that there was no violation of the Rules of Procedure.
Democratic Union of Albanians MP Mehmed Zenka demanded that the Draft Law on the Confirmation of the Agreement between Montenegro and the UAE on Tourism and Real Estate Development be removed from the Assembly's agenda. He stated that the topic is too serious to be decided on lightly, as it involves "giving away and bankrupting a city."
"I appeal to everyone, do not support. Every hand that supports is pointed against all citizens. The ultimate goal will be for Montenegro to pay," he said.
Albanian Alliance MP Ilir Čapuni stated that the inclusion of this proposal did not comply with the Rules of Procedure.
Mandić said that damage could occur even if the investments are not accepted.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that this is an interstate agreement and that it does not concern any individual city.
The Civic Movement URA stated that there was a violation of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament, and that the proposal to amend the agenda should be explained. They pointed out that the Government stated in its explanation that there are no reasons for the urgent adoption of this agreement, nor did it state the harmful consequences if it does not happen.
The Social Democrats parliamentary group stated that these steps show the branches to which the Parliament has fallen, and that Mandić is making the umbrella document of the Parliament meaningless and that it is clear that there is no reason for urgency. They emphasized that the agreement is being decided even though it is not harmonized between the Montenegrin and English languages, so the Parliament is deciding on something that does not have the same weight in the two languages.
"I don't know what 'sugar in water' is, this is a scandal. Instead of waiting for the Competition Protection Agency to conduct an inspection, which is what the European document obliges us to do. If that Agency subsequently determines a violation of the Stabilization Agreement in the area of state aid, the state will face serious consequences," said MP Boris Mugoša.
The Democratic Party of Socialists stressed that they do not know why there is such a rush, that the parliamentary collegium was not announced to them, that "Ulcinj has risen to its feet" and that the process is being conducted in a non-transparent manner.
The Assembly began the Third Session of the First Regular Session in 2025.
MPs are to vote on the Government's proposal to supplement the agenda with draft laws ratifying the cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates in the field of tourism and real estate development, as well as on economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić previously told reporters in the Parliament that the parliament will vote today on the intergovernmental agreement with the UAE.
Spajić said that it would be good for the agreement to be voted on because, as he says, it is good for Montenegro.
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