The Government of Montenegro has allocated 11 million euros for the restitution and purchase of land near Tivat Airport as part of the concession process for the usage rights of Podgorica and Tivat airports. The chairman of the tender commission, Nik Đeljošaj, stated that the government will finance this process, not the local administration. The concession process has attracted public attention, with opposition parties expressing doubts about the professionalism and transparency of the procedure, calling for its suspension due to possible irregularities. Two main companies interested in the concession are the South Korean company Incheon and the Luxembourg-American company CAAP, each with different plans for airport management. The opposition criticizes the concession process, citing potential harm to the state and a lack of investor confidence. The government is prepared to activate obligations in case of concession, including land restitution costs that may reach up to 50 million euros.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the concerns about transparency and fairness in the concession process, highlighting opposition parties’ calls for stopping the procedure due to suspicions of corruption and mismanagement. They focus on the potential negative impact on public resources and the risk of monopolization by private companies.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the facts of the government’s decision to allocate funds for land restitution and the ongoing concession process, presenting statements from government officials and opposition alike. They provide balanced coverage of the competing companies and the procedural details without strong editorializing.
Right: Right-leaning sources tend to emphasize the government’s commitment to developing infrastructure and attracting investment, highlighting the potential benefits of the concession for economic growth. They may downplay opposition criticism and focus on the strategic importance of the airports and the necessity of the land purchase.