Montenegro is poised to move ahead with a Mreža za afirmaciju nevladinog sektora (MANS)-flagged proposed intergovernmental energy cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite significant controversy over its negotiation and content, according to local reporting and civil society statements. Critics warn the deal is being advanced “behind closed doors” without full public disclosure or parliamentary debate on its implications for national laws, competitive procedures and EU alignment.
MANS has publicly challenged the Montenegro–UAE energy pact, stating that the government is pushing the agreement without adequate information, proper evaluation of consequences, or guarantees that domestic legal procedures and European standards will be upheld. The NGO’s statement highlights concerns that key decisions over the allocation of public resources—including land, approval processes, infrastructure obligations and financial risks—might be made without transparent tender, concession or procurement procedures, and without clear criteria for investor selection. Civil society advocates say this approach risks sidelining competitive processes and leaving legislative oversight incomplete.
The controversy echoes broader debate over Montenegro’s bilateral engagements with the UAE. Previous agreements on economic cooperation and strategic real estate partnerships have sparked public and institutional scrutiny, with critics arguing that exemptions from standard public procurement rules could undermine rule-of-law norms and Montenegro’s European Union accession commitments. Similar provisions in earlier deals have been challenged and are under assessment by the country’s Constitutional Court.
Government supporters argue the energy cooperation framework with the UAE is designed to deepen ties and attract investment in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, digital technologies and advanced energy solutions that align with Montenegro’s development goals, including modernised electricity systems and decarbonisation efforts. Such partnerships are also framed as part of broader bilateral economic engagement spanning tourism, infrastructure and innovation sectors.
As parliamentary debate on the energy agreement approaches, MANS continues to urge lawmakers to delay approval until full documentation and impact assessments are publicly released, asserting that informed scrutiny is essential to protect public interest and fiscal responsibility. They argue effective oversight must ensure that any international commitments do not graft special regimes onto critical sectors such as energy without clear legal safeguards and alignment with established procurement and competition standards.
