Milan Knežević, the president of the Democratic People’s Party, stated that members of his party were unaware of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s plan to sign an agreement with the United Arab Emirates.

“Subsequently, our government representatives were briefed on this initiative,” he clarified during an interview with Newsmax Balkan.

Responding to inquiries regarding the voting process, he mentioned that no formal voting takes place within the Government, but rather discussions of opinions.

“Given that there was a framework agreement, my colleague (Deputy Prime Minister Milun) Zogović and my colleague (Minister of Transport Maja) Vukićević supported that framework. For the subsequent agreement, my colleague Vukićević expressed dissent, while Zogović voted in favor, believing it was based on the foundational agreement that was previously approved. Today, however, we received a new conclusion from the Government that delegates the entire legal procedure and assessment of the agreement to Parliament, thereby resolving at least one uncertainty. Until this morning, we were unsure whether this matter fell under Parliament’s jurisdiction, and we found that quite problematic,” Knežević remarked.

According to reports from Vijesti, Vukićević did not endorse the agreement during the Government session that followed the framework agreement, which Knežević described as a basis for negotiations and finalizing a cooperation agreement regarding tourism and real estate development between the Governments of Montenegro and the UAE.

Knežević emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive public debate in Parliament before introducing the agreement onto the Assembly’s agenda, to ensure decisions are made appropriately and primarily in the interests of the nation.

The journalist pointed out that MANS raised concerns about the legality of the process, claiming it allows for the sale or lease of state land through closed agreements, bypassing tenders or public announcements.

“That aspect is troubling for me. If you’re omitting a crucial legal regulation, we need clarification on why that is. There’s also a concern regarding the 99-year lease, which, according to the State Property Law, I don’t believe is a legal option,” Knežević noted.

He stated that Spajić, upon returning from the UAE, should discuss matters with the leaders of the parliamentary majority or “significant political figures.”

“I want to clarify that DNP is not opposed to any investments, particularly those that could significantly contribute to the development of Montenegro over time. However, we seek clear explanations before making any statements—why is domestic legislation being circumvented, and why a lease of 99 years, which I find unacceptable… We risk becoming a colony for certain corporate and consortium interests. We want to understand which courts would have jurisdiction in case of disputes and what benefits the local populace would receive,” Knežević articulated.

When asked about the swift procedure, he remarked that it was a question for Spajić.

“I expect a response from someone in the Democratic Party of Socialists, particularly the honorary president of DPS, to clarify whether they support this or not, which would provide me with additional insights, something I hope to receive from the Prime Minister as well.”

“We will not accept the Concessions Law as proposed”

When questioned about how DNP would approach the concession of the airport, Knežević expressed that he could not accept the current version of the proposed Law on Concessions.

“The concession fee has altered from 70% in favor of municipalities and 30% for the state, to now being 80% for the state and only 20% for municipalities, which would be catastrophic for the Municipality of Zeta.”

He anticipates support from his coalition partner, New Serbian Democracy, and believes that others in power—the Democrats and the Europe Now Movement—should also back DNP.

“Our ministers have withdrawn their stance; I urge my colleagues from the parliamentary majority not to follow suit. I fear serious radicalization in the Zeta and Tivat areas.”

He expressed readiness to “defend the interests of the region, even if it leads to radicalization,” alongside the citizens.

“Should it come to an airport blockade or the seizing of planes, we will see. If anyone thinks that Zeta should continue to serve as an experimental area for generating funds, with minimal returns to the municipality, then they are mistaken.”

Knežević noted that the DNP will gauge how their coalition partners respond to the Concessions Law and will engage with other legislative proposals from the Government with equal vigor to uphold their principles.

Sign a military-technical agreement with Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia

Knežević asserted that Montenegro ought to sign a military-technical agreement with Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia.

He believes this should follow a recent agreement between Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo.

“This agreement directly targets Serbia, and consequently Montenegro. It should be our priority. The notion that we are secure as NATO members is misleading—both Croatia and Albania are NATO members, yet they are pursuing these actions now. The largest military base in Europe, Bondsteel, is located in Kosovo and Metohija. We must acknowledge that military alliances are forming against the Orthodox in the Balkans, similar to the color revolutions seen in Georgia, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and most recently, Republika Srpska,” Knežević conveyed in an interview with Newsmax Balkan.

Plenković and Đukanović are “sabotaging the EU path”

He contended that Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, along with former Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović, is actively undermining Montenegro’s European aspirations.

“Both Plenković and Đukanović played roles in preventing the closure of Chapter 4 and contributed to the designation of Andrija Mandić, Aleksa Bečić, and myself as persona non grata. The comments made by Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman are merely echoes of Plenković’s sentiments,” the DNP leader asserted.

“Vučić would never use weapons against the people”

Knežević reiterated claims from Serbian authorities regarding an ongoing attempt at a “colored revolution” in Serbia, asserting that the demands of protesting students have been acknowledged.

He stated that “the deep state currently existing within the EU” is seeking to incite such revolutions due to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence and his stance against sanctions on Russia.

Discussing the protests by students and citizens in Belgrade on March 15th, he stated he has found “no evidence, either expert or lay, supporting claims about the use of sound cannons there.”

“Upon further investigation, I learned that using a sonic cannon could result in significant health issues for citizens. I see that the FSB and FBI are involved in the investigation… Aleksandar Vučić would never resort to using weapons against the people nor wet blood in an attempt to hold onto power,” he emphasized.

Knežević also affirmed his support for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and adherence to the Dayton Agreement, but advocated for Republika Srpska to possess equal standing as the Federation of BiH.

He expressed confidence that RS President Milorad Dodik would resist surrendering, particularly in light of an issued international arrest warrant against him.

He stated he was advocating for Dodik’s rights to express his perspectives and defend the Dayton Agreement while calling for a peaceful resolution.

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