The president of the Ulcinj Beach Leaseholders Association, Prelja Škrelja, has threatened protests and road blockades if the tender for leasing beaches is not annulled. He claims the process has been non-transparent and unfair, allowing a single company to acquire a five-kilometer stretch of the Velika Plaža beach, an area with unresolved restitution issues.
Activist Mustafa Canka criticized the government’s decision, arguing that prioritizing an additional €20 million in revenue from beach leases jeopardizes Montenegro’s tourism sector, which generates around €1.4 billion annually. He warned that rising beach service prices would harm competitiveness. He called on the government to cancel the tender and engage in discussions with local stakeholders.
Ulcinj Mayor Genci Nimanbegu and all relevant local political actors have demanded the tender’s annulment. However, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that the government sees no legal basis for cancellation. The government insists the process was open and lawful, but remains open to dialogue.
Concerns have been raised over the Emirati-backed company Eagle Hills Montenegro, which was registered in March with a capital of just one euro and has already secured 12 out of 18 beach lease contracts. Ulcinj Deputy Mayor Petar Delić warned that this deal could cause significant financial losses for the city and country.
The Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management has asked Montenegro’s Special State Prosecutor’s Office to investigate potential irregularities in the leasing process, while Nimanbegu’s office has appealed to the Constitutional Court to review the tender’s legality.
The controversy continues to escalate, with calls for urgent intervention before the summer tourist season begins.
