The founder of the Bosniak Democratic Movement (BDP), Everin Čekić, expressed concern that the agreement with the United Arab Emirates regarding tourism and real estate development could have significant and long-lasting repercussions for our country and its citizens.

He urged MPs to reconsider their stance ahead of today’s Assembly session and vote against the bill that ratifies this agreement.

“Upon thorough analysis, it is evident that the proposed legislation conflicts with the Constitution and laws of Montenegro. It imposes obligations solely on the state, without specifying any commitments from the future investor, nor does it ensure that the investor will fulfill their agreements. The feedback from various stakeholders—including citizens, the NGO sector, the state president, and even the European Union—is unmistakable: such an agreement, in its current form, is unacceptable and poses a significant obstacle to Montenegro’s European integration process. The interval between the two votes has only reinforced our conviction that this agreement could lead to enduring negative effects for our country and its citizens. We are witnessing a complete lack of transparency and inconsistencies in this process, evident in both the potential investor’s and the Government of Montenegro’s statements. Recently, Mr. Alabar informed us of his decision to withdraw from Velika Plaza, directly contradicting earlier assurances from the relevant minister and the prime minister that neither the investor nor the location had been finalized,” said Čekić in his address to the MPs.

He questioned how anyone could renounce something that was never formally assigned to them.

“Meanwhile, new promises and potential sites are being mentioned, as Alabar himself highlights in interviews, seemingly directly suggested by the Government. The hidden agenda of this agreement appears to stem from the Prime Minister’s choice to classify state borrowing, thereby legitimizing the methods that marked the beginning of his political career: borrowing covertly and systematically. Ultimately, disastrous economic decisions, such as the Europe Now 2 initiative, incompetent personnel choices, and a total lack of a coherent vision for economic growth have pushed Montenegro to the edge of a financial crisis. The budget deficit is already extensive, prompting new borrowing measures,” he added.

Čekić stated that ratifying such an agreement in parliament would merely be an effort to exonerate the government and prime minister for the potential damage to the state, effectively transferring the burden onto the MPs.

“Dear representatives of the people, you possess both the authority and the duty to halt this process. Perhaps last time you lacked complete information, but now everything is transparent. This is beyond politics; it is a matter of conscience. Supporting this legislation would not only be a political blunder but a blemish on history. The shame and accountability will not rest solely on you but will also be passed down to future generations. Before you cast your vote, recall the oath you took to serve the interests of the state and its citizens. And the citizens are communicating a clear message today: NO to the sale of Montenegro! P.S. My dear compatriots, I recognize that your party’s colors are green, but this time, prioritize the state; vote red and restore dignity to our people,” concluded Čekić.

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