(Podgorica, 28 December 2011) – MANS’ proposal to amend the Spatial Plan of Montenegro for 2020 entered the legislative process thanks to to the support of opposition parties and ruling-coalition members from the Bosniak Party.
Last week MANS submitted to all party caucuses suggested amendments to the Spatial Plan as it relates to the Ulcinj Saltworks. The proposal suggests restoring the area of the saltworks to a special regime of protection as a monument of nature and to preserve its existing land use designation.
MANS’ initiative seeks to protect the public interest, which was not adequately considered during the privatization of Ulcinj’s salt factory when over 15-million square meters of land were sold as industrial rather than building land (which is how Eurofond and Veselin Barović are now trying to sell it).
The amendment – supported by Branko Radulović, Genci Nimanbegu, Kemal Purišić, Mehmet Bardhi, Neven Gošović and Radojica Živković on behalf of their party caucuses – highlights the fact that the area of the Ulcinj Saltworks is currently recognized as both an area for the exploitation of salt as well as a potential location for tourism development. This dual zoning designation of leaves enormous room for creative interpretation when it comes to the development plans for this area, including the Spatial-Urban Plan of Ulcinj Municipality which is also currently being prepared.
Given the importance of the Ulcinj Saltworks for the economic development of the local community, as well as for the entire Ulcinj region – not to mention the importance of the salt flats for Ulcinj’s wildlife – we found it necessary to seek a harmonization of the text within Montenegro’s Spatial Plan in a manner which will retain the existing allocation of land and its use in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
Although it was expected, the lack of interest demonstrated by the DPS and SDP caucuses for this initiative aims to protect the interests of Montenegro’s citizens. In 2008, during the adoption of the Spatial Plan, MANS pointed out the danger of parliament being turned into a service for the construction lobby, which unfortunately turned out to be a realistic warning. Nevertheless, we continue to invite members of the DPS and SDP to recognize these proposed amendments as an opportunity to correct what was done to the Ulcinj Saltworks in 2008.
MANS will, immediately following the New Year’s holidays, request an extraordinary session of parliament to discuss the proposed amendments to the Spatial Plan.
