The Mayor of Ulcinj, Genci Nimanbegu, believes that the Government of Montenegro has seriously jeopardized the tourist season, particularly at a time when key tourism markets are planning their annual vacations. He views the annulment of the beach lease tender and the signing of contract annexes with the current lessees as the only viable solution at this point.
“We continue to insist that this tender be annulled. All existing contracts should be extended with annexes, and the proposed amendments to the law should be adopted, so that transparent tenders for the lease of beaches and facilities in the coastal area can be held next year,” Nimanbegu said during a press conference.
He assessed that the tender process itself was problematic, with the beach lease pricing adopted contrary to all criteria, despite the negative opinions of all coastal municipalities.
Nimanbegu reiterated that the extended tender was a well-coordinated attack synchronized with state institutions.
“It is now clear that this is a planned scenario that has been ongoing for some time without the public’s knowledge,” he said.
The Mayor of Ulcinj met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, and Mohamed Alabar, the president and founder of Eagle Hills. However, no concrete development project was presented.
“A story about ‘Ulcinj’s Dubai’ and major investments is being spread in the public, but this is something we haven’t seen. As Mayor of Ulcinj, I have not seen any project or document. I expect that Alabar or the Government—whether it is a joint project or two separate projects—will present what these projects are, and then we can sit down and discuss investments in Ulcinj,” Nimanbegu stated.
According to him, when he asked Alabar what he, as an investor, wanted, Alabar responded that the project should align with what the Municipality and the Government require.
“I also asked the Prime Minister what the Government wants. He didn’t specify, but he said that this project will be a turning point for Ulcinj,” Nimanbegu added.
He reminded that planning documents for the Great Beach foresee modules where construction for hotel complexes is allowed.
“A total of 15,600 beds are planned across all hotel complexes that will be built,” Nimanbegu said.
He emphasized that Ulcinj is not against investments, but that these must be pursued collectively and that procedures should be transparent and in line with the law.
The Mayor of Ulcinj also announced that a session of the Municipal Assembly would be held on Thursday, at the initiative of all the council clubs, with the topic being the current situation regarding the beach lease tender.
Beach leaseholders have also scheduled a press conference for tomorrow and are planning a large protest rally on Saturday.
