The civic movement URA will persist in defending every part of Montenegro with unwavering dedication, just as it stands firm for Velika Plaža, as stated by its president, Dritan Abazović.

“We refuse to let anyone come and dictate terms regarding any location and act as they please. We will stand alongside the citizens to safeguard other sites and natural resources in Montenegro,” Abazović remarked.

Abazović, along with Secretary General of URA GP Mileta Radovanić and Member of the European Parliament (EP) and Chairman of the POSP Thomas Weitz, convened with Gencij Nimanbegu, the President of the Municipality of Ulcinj.

“In addition to engaging with the leaders of the Ulcinj Municipality, they also consulted with representatives from all political parties in the local parliament. They plan to visit Velika Plaža and Solana during this trip,” URA announced.

Abazović expressed his gratitude to Vajac for traveling to the Municipality of Ulcinj at the party’s invitation, highlighting the political unity in the local government regarding the agreement between Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“We will not accept any lack of transparency, covert actions, or agreements made without the citizens’ knowledge, nor will we allow our future to turn into that of citizens without a country,” Abazović declared at a press conference following the meeting.

He reiterated his appeal to the members of the Montenegrin parliament, although he considered it somewhat futile, urging them not to vote again for the Agreement with the UAE.

“We will be present in the Montenegrin parliament today to vote against it. I also appeal to colleagues from other political parties who truly wish for Montenegro to join the European Union (EU) to do likewise and take responsibility, as failing to do so could jeopardize our European aspirations,” Abazović urged.

He expressed appreciation to individuals from the international community, the NGO sector, and everyone aiding in the defense of Velika Plaza.

Abazović extended his support to all citizens planning to protest in front of parliament today against the re-adoption of the Agreement with the UAE.

Weitz noted that the European Commission (EC), alongside the Council, backs Montenegro’s accession to the Union, but highlighted that the Agreement with the UAE has raised concerns within the EP and the Commission.

He mentioned that projects stemming from this Agreement might conflict with European laws, which could pose a significant barrier to Montenegro’s EU accession.

“The exclusion of local community involvement in preparing such projects is particularly alarming. I am aware that there is no specific project in the pipeline, yet extraordinarily high investment figures have been mentioned—25 billion, 30 billion. The Prime Minister indicated this pertains to the entire Velika Plaza beach in Ulcinj, without local community consent,” Wejc stated.

He emphasized that while investments in tourism and foreign investments are crucial for the country, they must always adhere to the rule of law.

“Circumventing Montenegrin legislation is not an option, especially here in Ulcinj, which has a landscape of immense ecological value. This includes the Ulcinj Salt Pans, beaches, and dunes. Environmental protection must be a cornerstone in developing tourism projects. The future of tourism lies in a blend of high-quality tourism and a respect for nature, a principle evident throughout the EU. Therefore, it is vital that the local community safeguards Ulcinj’s natural heritage, which must be respected in every process undertaken by the central government,” Wejc remarked.

He expressed hope that the Government and Parliament would make necessary adjustments to the agreement to prevent bypassing the rule of law, ensuring local communities are respected in decision-making, and that environmental protections are adhered to consistently.

Nimanbegu thanked Wejc for his efforts and support, as well as Abazović for facilitating the meeting.

He added that this collaboration strengthens ties at the local level as well as with notable entities in the EP.

“The standpoint of the entire community in the Municipality of Ulcinj is unequivocal—we oppose the ratification of the Agreement with the UAE, and I once more urge the MPs not to endorse it today,” Nimanbegu asserted, emphasizing that if it is passed again, they would continue to uphold the interests of the citizens and safeguard the area.

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