The European Union and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement to start discussions on the Law regarding the Certificate of Cooperation in tourism and real estate development, contingent upon approval from the Montenegrin parliament.

Yesterday, the European Commission revealed that President Ursula von der Leyen had a productive phone call with Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE.

During their conversation, they decided to commence negotiations on a free trade agreement.

“This marks a significant advancement in EU-UAE relations, and alongside expanding agreements within the Strategic Partnership, it can catalyze stronger connections between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),” noted the European Commission.

Von der Leyen highlighted the EU’s strong standing regarding high-standard trade agreements and partnerships grounded in open trade and mutual advantages.

“In this context, the forthcoming negotiations will aim at the liberalization of goods and promote green hydrogen and essential resources, with the expectation that both parties can progress swiftly. Commissioner Maroš Sefčovič will soon return to the UAE to continue discussions,” stated the Commission.

The realization of this modern and ambitious agreement, they assess, will not only bolster EU-UAE relations but also foster broader regional prosperity.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajic took to online platform X to express that by signing the agreement with the UAE, Montenegro has demonstrated itself as a trustworthy and credible partner to influential global entities.

“We welcome the EU-UAE continuity initiated by the European Commission, affirming that we are a committed partner among the world’s most significant actors. It is now up to us to implement major projects and ensure Montenegro thrives as it deserves!” remarked Spajic.

The governments of Montenegro and the UAE signed an Economic Cooperation and Joint Investment Agreement on March 28, which enables investor Mohamed Alabbar to commence the Rizorta project’s construction in Ulcinj.

This event has faced criticism from segments of the public and civil society regarding a lack of transparency and the extended duration of the land lease, which spans 90 years.

President Jakov Milatović expressed his expectation for the European Union to explicitly clarify the compliance of this agreement with EU regulations.

“This agreement entails the repeal of several significant Montenegrin laws and fundamentally contradicts Montenegro’s Constitution. It is also concerning in relation to the Stabilization and Association Agreement,” stated Milatović.

A coalition of 36 civil society organizations has sent letters to various recipients in Brussels, including the European Parliament and the European Commission, addressing compliance issues between Montenegro and the development of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and relevant EU legal frameworks.

The organizations have voiced serious concerns over the aforementioned agreement with the UAE, deeming it a considerable threat to the rule of law and Montenegro’s EU integration process, as reported by the NGO Network (MANS).

The agreements with the UAE would require Assembly approval, which may occur on Thursday.

Alabbar mentioned on Thursday that he is “building apartments in Tivat to assist families in achieving their aspirations, emphasizing his commitment to helping them secure their futures, which is indeed a crucial and valuable endeavor.