A re-vote on the agreement between Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates is expected on Thursday. Civil society groups warn that the deal could threaten the country’s sovereignty, public interest and natural resources, viewing the vote as a test for every parliamentarian.
Meanwhile, European Parliament Member Antonio Lopez-Isturiz, from the European People’s Party—the largest political group in the Parliament—and part of the delegation for relations with the Arabian Peninsula, expressed confidence in Montenegro’s cooperation with the UAE. He emphasized that many EU member states already maintain partnerships with Gulf countries in full compliance with European standards.
Lopez-Isturiz highlighted that geopolitical shifts, including instability and changing relations with the United States under the Trump administration, have pushed Europe toward signing cooperation and trade agreements with new regions like the Gulf. He sees the UAE as a key partner and sees no reason why Montenegro’s agreement should be an exception.
Regarding concerns about transparency and protests from NGOs, Lopez-Isturiz noted that European Commissioner Kos acknowledged some details require further cooperation with Brussels but overall gave a positive assessment. He stressed the importance of the Montenegrin government adhering to EU laws to resolve any doubts and reduce criticism.
Using Spain as an example, Lopez-Isturiz pointed out that political criticism is normal during major transformations. Spain, once criticized, is now Europe’s top tourist destination, having shifted from low-cost to high-value tourism, generating more jobs and investment.
He suggested Montenegro could follow a similar path by leveraging its rich cultural heritage, including its beautiful monasteries, to attract quality tourism beyond just sun and beaches.
Lopez-Isturiz concluded that this agreement represents an opportunity for Montenegro, and he and his party strongly support Montenegro’s EU membership aspirations as soon as possible.
