Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Tender Commission, Nik Đeljošaj, defended the commission’s actions in the airport concession process, stating that all members acted professionally and within the law.
This follows concerns raised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank arm and advisor in the concession process, after the commission rejected the technical offer of one of the two bidders. The IFC requested a detailed explanation and warned it may withdraw from the process if none is provided.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić urged the commission to seriously consider the IFC’s expert recommendations to ensure the process benefits Montenegro and its citizens.
Đeljošaj responded that each commission member independently scored the bids according to legal procedures. He criticized the idea that the commission should merely validate whatever the IFC or its local partner proposes, adding that the majority of the commission members remain skeptical of the IFC’s actions.
He invited the Prime Minister’s office to replace the commission if they prefer members who will automatically accept IFC recommendations, but emphasized that the current members have no hidden agendas and prioritize Montenegro’s interests.
Đeljošaj concluded by rejecting any notion of subordinating the Montenegrin government to external consultants and called for accountability from those advisors, citing internal documentation to support the commission’s decisions.
