The Law on the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon be reconsidered by the Montenegrin Parliament. This document, according to a statement from the NGOs behind the “Velika plaža or velika laža” initiative, carries potentially unforeseeable consequences for the public interest, natural resources, and the sovereignty of the country.
Following the president’s use of constitutional authority to return the law for reconsideration, the Parliament now has a second chance. The NGOs describe this moment as a crucial “make-up exam” that will be recorded in the political biographies of every MP. They question where the expert voices are, and why the responsible institutions tasked with protecting the public interest remain silent.
The statement calls on various ministries, environmental agencies, public enterprises, as well as academic institutions such as the University of Montenegro and national academies, to urgently express their stance on the possible implementation of the Agreement.
They expect clear answers on key issues including the risks of large-scale construction projects in protected and ecologically sensitive areas such as Velika plaža, Buljarica, Bjelasica, and Hajla. They also seek clarity on the potential impacts on natural resources, biodiversity, and the constitutional order if the Agreement is ratified.
The NGOs highlight the troubling absence of professional opinions on a document that they claim eliminates public oversight, removes legal protection mechanisms, and undermines the principle of sustainable development. They warn that institutional and academic silence at such a critical moment is not neutral but rather complicity.
Therefore, they urge these institutions to take responsibility, stop observing passively, and publicly present their expert arguments so that MPs can make an informed and responsible decision.
They emphasize that this is not a matter of political affiliation but one of professional ethics, academic integrity, and moral duty to society. They warn that if these experts remain silent now, when will they speak out?
With the Law on ratification back before Parliament, this is the moment for experts to stand up in defense of Montenegro’s most valuable assets, rather than the interests of investors. The NGOs call for them to be remembered not for their silence but for their protection of the country’s greatest treasures.
