Montenegro’s Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Šahmanović, presented in the Montenegrin Parliament a government agreement on cooperation in the energy sector with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), describing it as a strategic decision that brings essential technology and financial resources to the country. He emphasized that while Montenegro has ambitions and natural energy resources, it lacks enough domestic capital and know-how to independently carry out large-scale energy projects.
Šahmanović explained that the cooperation agreement with the UAE aims to attract strong and reliable partners with the experience and capacity to turn ideas into concrete energy projects. He insisted that the deal does not involve any loss of sovereignty or hidden obligations and does not jeopardize Montenegro’s European integration path. He insisted that Montenegro is not giving up land or control; rather, it is gaining technology and financing.
The minister said that the projects covered by the agreement are ones that Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) has been developing for years but has been unable to realize alone due to the lack of capital and technology. He reiterated that Montenegro must position itself as a regional energy hub capable of supplying affordable green energy to the European Union, which could become a strategic advantage for the country within the region.
During the parliamentary debate, opposition politician Milan Knežević strongly criticized the agreement, alleging that it amounted to a form of occupation or colonization of Montenegro and would give external control over national energy infrastructure. He argued that the pact should be struck down by the Constitutional Court and portrayed it as a betrayal of national interests. He also raised concerns about exemptions from standard public procurement and concession rules.
Šahmanović dismissed these criticisms, noting that the agreement was adopted by the government when the same opposition party was part of the ruling majority, and he reiterated that there is no question of betrayal or loss of control. He framed the cooperation with the UAE as a pragmatic step to overcome domestic financial and technological limitations and accelerate Montenegro’s energy sector development.
