Abazović: We are returning the Port of Budva to citizens

Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović met today with representatives of the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management Morsko dobro and the President of the Municipal Assembly of Budva. The meeting discussed solving the problem of the Port of Budva and repealing the Conclusions of the Montenegrin Cabinet from 10 April 2017, which enabled the company Dukley Marina to continue to use the Port of Budva even after the expiration of the contract.

President of the Management Board of Morsko dobro Blažo Rađenović and Director Mladen Mikijelj informed the meeting attendees about raising issues related to the Port of Budva and repealing the Conclusions of the Montenegrin Cabinet No. 07-118 of 10 April 2017, which contrary to legal procedure and the interests of citizens Budva and companies enabled the company Dukley Marina to use one of the most important resources in the marine zone below the real value. Director of Morsko dobro Mladen Mikijelj informed DPM Abazović about the urgent request sent to Ministry of Ecology Ratko Mitrović about the urgent repeal of the mentioned Conclusions, in order to reduce the damage caused.

Pointing to the fact that the user paid a fee in the amount of 29,000.00 euros from 2002 to 2017, which unequivocally shows that this is a disproportionately high benefit for the user, the company's representatives concluded that this is clearly a harmful contract.

President of the Municipal Assembly of Budva Krsto Radović emphasised the importance of raising the issue of amending the Law on Ports regarding managing ports of local importance, which would enable the Municipality of Budva to manage it. In this way, the functionality would be improved and the necessary investments would be provided. Radović proposed that the local self-government forms a company or the Port Authority, which will be established by the Ministry of Capital Investments, citing the Law on Ports in Croatia as a good example.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the the Port of Budva is an integral part of the Old Town of Budva and that it is economically inseparable part of the Old Town. Therefore, it should be returned to the citizens of Budva.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that he has nothing against the use of one part of the Port of Budva for the needs of the marina, but that the port should primarily and purposefully meet the needs of citizens.