On Friday, March 28, an agreement was signed between the Government of Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates with the obvious intention of turning our most valuable areas into subjects of non-transparent agreements and destruction in the interests of investors.
Just before the signing of the agreement, the idea of “valorizing” the 12 km of the Long Beach and leasing it for a period of 99 years was presented to the public. However, this agreement does not only pertain to the Long Beach project but allows UAE investors to take over multiple locations across Montenegro, about which we will likely be informed only after the agreements are finalized and signed behind closed doors, leaving us with no opportunity to respond.
The Bojana River Delta, the Long Beach, and the Ulcinj Salina represent one of the most important biodiversity areas in the Balkans. This unique ecosystem zone, where the river flows into the Adriatic Sea, is home to numerous endangered plant and animal species. It is particularly important as a habitat for migratory birds, which find shelter and food here during their migrations, and it is also the site of sand dunes, the only remaining habitat of this type in Montenegro. Its role for the citizens of Montenegro is much greater than the announced, yet unsupported, €30 billion investment. The delta is rich in wetlands, sandbars, and saline lagoons, all of which contribute to maintaining ecological balance. It provides natural protection from erosion, improves water and soil quality, and mitigates the effects of climate change. The value of this area is priceless not only for the local community but for all citizens of Montenegro. Its preservation is essential for future generations, as the degradation of this area could lead to the irreversible loss of biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides, as well as the potential for sustainable development by the local community. This means that if we proceed with aggressive urbanization of the Long Beach, we will create conditions for future floods, coastal erosion, and other problems that this ecosystem currently protects us from. In the process, we will lose much, all for the sake of creating yet another luxury resort on our coast, where we will not be welcome, except perhaps as cheap labor. Why should we lose a unique natural environment so that someone can build another marina, of which there are plenty, and from which only foreign investors will benefit?
The first idea for investment, enthusiastically presented to the public as an opportunity that must not be missed, relates to the aforementioned Bojana River Delta, which is recognized in all relevant strategic documents of Montenegro as an area of exceptional importance that must be protected due to its unique biological diversity and ecological value. In addition, these areas are protected at the national and international level through the IBA, IPA, Ramsar, Emerald statuses, and potential Natura 2000 designations. Therefore, we consider it entirely inappropriate for this most valuable area, which is already protected by existing legislation, to be planned for complete and permanent devastation. It is unacceptable for the strategic plans of Montenegro, which relate to the protection of natural values, to be ignored and disregarded. For this reason, we urge decision-makers to be consistent in the implementation of strategic plans.
The draft agreement between Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates, as stated, provides that land for selected projects will be secured “without the need for public bidding, public tenders, or other procedures prescribed by national legislation governing state property.” Such a provision creates serious opportunities for corruption, as it allows the sale or lease of state land through direct negotiations behind closed doors, without transparency or public oversight.
We are particularly concerned by the fact that this document was adopted at an electronic session of the Government and is still not available to the public. Furthermore, the agreement foresees adapting Montenegrin legislation to the needs of selected projects and investors, which directly contradicts the principles of legal security and equality before the law.
An additional reason for concern is the fact that the Government has been keeping the Spatial Plan of Montenegro in a drawer for months and has not yet adopted this document, which is crucial for future spatial planning as our most important resource. The Spatial Plan of Montenegro was valid until 2020, while the process of creating a new plan began only a few years later. Its draft was presented during a public debate that lasted from January to April 2024. Although we are not satisfied with the proposed plan, as it contains controversial solutions and introduces changes we strongly opposed during its drafting, we must emphasize that the new Spatial Plan of Montenegro has still not been adopted, for reasons unknown to us. We believe it is justified to suspect that, after public consultations that were concluded long ago – that is, behind closed doors – it will be subsequently amended in accordance with recently announced projects that have no foundation in the public interest (e.g., a new city on Velje Brdo and large investments from Arab investors on 12 km of the Long Beach and its hinterland). We consider that exerting pressure on the plan’s drafters and subsequently making major changes that could have far-reaching consequences for the environment, local economy, and quality of life for citizens represents an unacceptable disruption to the territory of Montenegro.
In addition to the above, we express serious concern about the situation at the Ulcinj Salina. Specifically, the lease agreement between the bankruptcy administration and the National Parks has not been extended, and this area is currently being managed thanks to the goodwill of workers who have not been paid for two months. The agreement has not been extended just now when an Arab investor is showing interest in the Long Beach and its hinterland. We have heard and seen a lot, and we don’t believe in coincidences, so it wouldn’t surprise us if the salina is part of the package for valorization that the Prime Minister has announced.
