Dear citizens of Montenegro,

The Government of Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates have signed a cooperation agreement in the field of tourism and real estate development, which will allow long-term leasing and “valorization” of our most valuable natural sites. This agreement opens the door for UAE investors to take over multiple locations across the country without transparent procedures or public oversight.

The public was presented with the idea of leasing all 12 km of Velika Plaža for 99 years only a few days before the agreement was signed. The plan includes the construction of tourist complexes, marinas, airports, etc., resulting in its permanent, irreversible loss for the citizens.

It is particularly concerning that such an important document was adopted behind closed doors, without public debate or citizen input. The land is planned to be allocated through an abbreviated procedure without public competition or tender, contrary to existing (albeit questionable and already problematic) spatial planning documentation, creating a serious risk of corruption and misuse of state resources.

Such an agreement is not only unconstitutional and violates Montenegrin laws but also disregards international conventions to which we are signatories, such as the Aarhus Convention, which guarantees citizens timely and full information, participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters.

Why is this a problem?

• The Bojana River Delta, Velika Plaža, and Ulcinj Saltpans are among the most important ecological areas in the Balkans. They are habitats for numerous endangered plant and animal species, especially migratory birds that find refuge in this unique ecosystem.
• Preserving these areas is crucial for ecological balance, water and soil quality, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development—economic benefits aligned with long-term conservation. Their devastation would have incalculable consequences for future generations.
• The agreement allows for the adaptation of Montenegrin legislation to the needs of investors, directly threatening legal certainty and state sovereignty.
• Implementing these plans would endanger existing family businesses in tourism, eliminate jobs, and destroy the local economy for at least four future generations over the 99-year period.
• The favorable ecological status of the Ulcinj Saltpans, one of the final benchmarks for Montenegro’s EU accession, would be jeopardized, as Velika Plaža and the saltpans are part of an inseparable ecosystem.

What we demand:

1. Termination of the cooperation agreement in the field of tourism and real estate development between the Government of Montenegro and the UAE.
2. Protection of Velika Plaža, the Ulcinj Saltpans, and the Bojana Delta from destructive investments, including measures prohibiting any actions that could alter the form, appearance, or integrity of these protected natural assets.
3. Preservation of Montenegro’s legal certainty and sovereignty. No investor is above the law.
4. Full transparency in decision-making concerning our natural resources. All steps leading to such decisions and agreements must reflect citizen needs and conservation priorities and be subject to public debate.
5. Adoption of Montenegro’s spatial plan, respecting the feedback and conclusions from the public consultation, without later amendments that bypass transparent public involvement in shaping our most valuable resource.
6. Consistent implementation of Montenegro’s strategic plans for the protection of natural values.

By signing this petition, we demand that the Government of Montenegro terminate this agreement in accordance with Article 6, Paragraph 3, and involve experts and the broader public in processes before making decisions that concern the future of our country.

Let us not allow our most valuable natural areas to become prey for investors and victims of non-transparent, illegal, and unconstitutional decisions!

SIGN AND SHARE THE PETITION!

Detailed description of the problem (petition annex):

On Friday, March 28, the Government of Montenegro and the UAE signed a cooperation agreement with an obvious intention to subject our most valuable areas to non-transparent deals and potential devastation in favor of investor interests.
Just before signing, the public was presented with the idea of “valorizing” 12 km of Velika Plaža and leasing it for 99 years. However, the agreement is not limited to Velika Plaža—it allows UAE investors access to multiple locations across Montenegro, likely only informing the public after deals and contracts are signed behind closed doors, leaving us unable to respond.

The Bojana River Delta, Velika Plaža, and Ulcinj Saltpans are among the most important biodiversity areas in the Balkans. This unique ecosystem, where the river meets the Adriatic Sea, is home to many endangered plant and animal species. It is particularly important as a habitat for migratory birds, which find shelter and food here during migration, and it contains sand dunes—the last remaining habitat of this type in Montenegro. Its role for Montenegrin citizens far exceeds the unsubstantiated €30 billion investment claims. The delta is rich in wetlands, sandbars, and salt lagoons, which contribute to ecological balance, protect against erosion, improve water and soil quality, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Preserving it is crucial for future generations because its degradation would result in irreversible biodiversity loss and the loss of ecosystem services, as well as the potential for sustainable local development. Aggressive urbanization of Velika Plaža would increase the risk of future flooding, coastal erosion, and other problems currently mitigated by this ecosystem. In that process, we stand to lose much, simply to make way for yet another luxury settlement, benefiting only foreign investors while excluding locals except as cheap labor. Why destroy this unique natural environment to build another marina that only benefits outside investors?

The initial investment idea, enthusiastically presented to the public as a “cannot-miss opportunity,” concerns the Bojana Delta area, recognized in all relevant strategic documents of Montenegro as an area of exceptional importance that must be protected due to its unique biodiversity and ecological value. These areas are also protected nationally and internationally through IBA, IPA, Ramsar, Emerald, and potential Natura 2000 statuses. Therefore, it is entirely inappropriate that complete and permanent devastation is planned for this highly valuable area, already protected by law. Ignoring and disregarding Montenegro’s strategic plans for natural protection is unacceptable. We call on decision-makers to consistently implement these plans.

The draft agreement stipulates that land for selected projects will be provided “without the need for public competition, public tender, or other procedures prescribed by national legislation governing state property.” This clause creates serious potential for corruption, as it allows for the sale or lease of state land through direct negotiations behind closed doors, without transparency or public oversight.

We are particularly concerned that the document was adopted at an electronic government session and is still unavailable to the public. Additionally, the agreement allows adaptation of Montenegrin legislation to the needs of selected projects and investors, directly contrary to the principles of legal certainty and equality before the law.

Another reason for concern is that the government has kept Montenegro’s Spatial Plan on hold for months, failing to adopt this key document for future spatial planning. The previous plan was valid until 2020, and the new plan process started years later. Its draft was presented for public consultation from January to April 2024. Although we are not satisfied with the draft, as it contains controversial solutions and amendments we opposed during its preparation, the new plan still has not been adopted, for reasons unknown to us. We have reason to suspect that after public consultations have long concluded, major changes will be made behind closed doors to accommodate recently announced projects that lack a basis in the public interest (e.g., the new town on Velje Brdo and large investments on 12 km of Velika Plaža and its hinterland by UAE investors). Applying pressure to plan drafters and later introducing significant changes that could have unforeseeable consequences for the environment, local economy, and quality of life represents an unacceptable violation of Montenegro’s spatial integrity.

In addition, we express serious concern regarding the situation at the Ulcinj Saltpans. Specifically, the lease agreement between the bankruptcy administration and National Parks has not been renewed, and currently the area is managed thanks to the goodwill of employees who have not been paid for two months. The lease was not renewed precisely as UAE investors expressed interest in Velika Plaža and its hinterland. We have heard and seen enough, and we do not believe this is coincidental; it would not be surprising if the Saltpans were also part of the “valorization package” announced by the Prime Minister.

Signatories:

• Center for Protection and Research of Birds – CZIP
• NGO EnvPro
• NGO Parkovi Dinarida
• Center for Investigative Journalism – CIN CG
• NGO KANA / Who if not the architect
• Dr Martin Schneider-Jacoby Association – MSJA
• CEE Bankwatch Network
• NGO Montenegrin Ecologists Society
• NGO Green Home
• NGO MogUL
• Portal Ulcinj info
• NGO Network for Affirmation of the NGO Sector – MANS