Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović met with representatives of NGOs, the Montenegrin Lawyers Association and legal experts to discuss the legal aspects of the government’s agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concerning tourism and real estate development.
Milatović criticized the Montenegrin Parliament for prioritizing political interests over citizens’ rights by approving the agreement, which he claims contradicts Montenegro’s Constitution and laws.
He emphasized his duty to review the agreement with legal experts and civil society, highlighting that the deal suspends key domestic regulations related to public procurement, state property, and competition protection. Milatović also raised concerns about the lack of institutional mechanisms to safeguard the public interest.
Numerous legal experts, civil society representatives, international organizations, and the European Commission have previously pointed out problematic provisions in the agreement.
Meeting participants agreed that the agreement undermines Montenegro’s constitutional and legal order and warned that its approval sets a dangerous precedent.
Attendees included Vanja Ćalović Marković (Executive Director of the NGO Network), Stevo Muk (Chairman of the Institute Alternative), Branislav Radulović (President of the Montenegrin Lawyers Association), Maja Kostić Mandić (Vice-President of the Lawyers Association and university professor), and former Constitutional Court judge Miodrag Iličković.
