Maja Vukićević, the Minister of Transport in Montenegro, stated that while Chinese companies have predominantly applied for the construction of a new section of the highway, she does not believe this will slow down Montenegro’s path to European Union membership.
“Turkish companies have also applied, as far as I know. However, no companies from Western Europe participated in the tender. The tender is open, and anyone could apply. The entire process is being conducted according to the rules of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), meaning that each phase must be approved by them,” Vukićević explained during her appearance on the A Plus TV show “Minula Neđelja.”
She also pointed out that no Montenegrin companies had applied for the tender. As for whether local companies will be involved as subcontractors, that decision rests with the main contractor.
“They determine who they will cooperate with or not,” she added.
Vukićević expressed frustration over what she called misinformation surrounding the choice of contractors, most of which, she claims, are being spread by political opponents without accountability.
“The second phase of the highway will be built once the contractor is selected, and we expect to sign the contract at the beginning of next year,” she noted.
She also explained that it was only natural for her first official visit as a minister in the Montenegrin government to be to Serbia, as the two countries share the closest bilateral relations.
“Our cooperation with Serbia is simply a continuation of the memorandum previously signed,” Vukićević concluded.
