Maja Vukićević, Minister of Transport in the Government of Montenegro
In an interview for “Diplomacy & Commerce Montenegro” magazine, Maja Vukićević, the Minister of Transport in the Government of Montenegro, discusses key infrastructure projects that are crucial for the country’s future. From the continuation of the Bar – Boljare highway construction, investments in airport modernization, and railway line upgrades, to improving the effi ciency of the Port of Bar, Minister Vukićević emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation and resource optimization.
Ms. Vukićević, regarding the tender for the construction of the second section of the Bar – Boljare highway, can you tell us which companies applied for the public call for the contractor’s selection? Do Chinese construction companies dominate again, and can the start of construction be expected next year?
The tender for constructing the second section of the Bar-Boljare highway was announced on April 24 and completed two months later, in June. I took over the Ministry of Transport department at the end of July. I was informed that eight companies had applied for the tender, including several Chinese, Turkish, and even one from Bangladesh. Four companies qualified for the second phase of the tender, three of which are Chinese and one is Turkish. It can be said that there is great interest from Chinese companies in construction works, but as you can see, this is not only the case with Montenegro and the region but also in EU Member States. Like all the tenders we publish, this one was open to companies from all over the world. I hope that we will have more interest from different countries for various projects in the future. The highway tender was issued through Monteput and is being conducted according to the rules of the EBRD.
How do you respond to the public and analysts’ assertions that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development disapproves of the possibility of a Chinese construction company reconstructing a section of the highway in Montenegro?
The Ministry and the Government of Montenegro do not have the authority to infl uence who applies to compete for construction works, whether for a highway or any other project. Personally, I would love to witness more interest in Montenegro as it would provide us with a broader range of choices, but we have to deal with the current situation. The highway is a top-priority project for Montenegro and needs to be completed. We aim to select the best contractor from those who have applied and to start the work as soon as possible. The tender process was carried out following the rules of the EBRD. It was completely open, and everyone had the opportunity to apply. An example of Chinese involvement in EU countries is in neighbouring Croatia, where the Pelješac Bridge was funded by the EU but constructed by the Chinese. The Croatian government highlights this project as an achievement, featuring it in all their advertisements. According to reports, the project is worth 525 million euros, with most of the funding coming from the EU.
The government of Montenegro often faces criticism that the highway is an overly expensive infrastructure project that will not be profitable for the country in the next fifty years. How do you comment on such allegations?
The truth is that building a highway is not cheap, but it is imperative. Montenegro did not have a single kilometre of the highway, and after constructing the first phase, we have about 40 kilometres. Although this is not much, that section significantly eases the traffic between Montenegro’s northern and central parts. The decision to embark on this project was criticised as it was dictated by the previous government and sparked controversy. I think that no one in Montenegro criticises the project itself because the citizens understand the needs and want to have better infrastructure. The subject of criticism was how the project was initiated, as many issues accompanied the construction of the first phase, such as the “forgotten interchange” example.
The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, has announced that nearly 500 km of highways and expressways will be built by 2030. Do you expect support from EU funds to implement planned projects, and what benefits do you see from all of the above?
Montenegro has outdated road infrastructure, often leading to heavy traffic, especially during the summer months. The benefit we see is that the construction of expressways and highways will relieve traffic congestion and significantly improve the safety of road users, which is also a priority for us.
What are the specific terms of the proposed concession agreement for the airports in Montenegro, and how will the government ensure that the future concessionaire invests in modernisation while protecting the long-term interests of the state and domestic passengers?
The concession act is defined, and based on it, we will form an offer for interested concessionaires; we expect the situation regarding the Airport to be resolved quickly. We have formed a new tender commission, which is working intensively these days to have a final decision as soon as possible. Whatever the final decision, Montenegrin airports must be developed, primarily in terms of infrastructure. If we decide on a concession, the plan is to definitely retain our own company that currently exists and would function similarly to what was done at the Nikola Tesla Airport, in the form of a board that would control the investments and expenditures, because after the concession expires, the airports will return to Montenegro and we must be ready to take them over.
In your opinion, what is the best way to utilise the potential of the Port of Bar as a critical point for the import and export of goods, not only for Montenegro but also for neighbouring landlocked countries?
The Port of Bar is essential for the economy of Montenegro, and unfortunately, it is currently not operating as it could; not all potential has been utilised. There are several reasons for this, as ports in the surrounding area are often more favourable, and the road infrastructure in Montenegro has not yet been renovated. The port largely depends on the railway, and we are yet to undergo the reconstruction of the Bar – Golubovci railway section and the reconstruction of the remaining parts that have not been completed on the Bar-Belgrade railway line. The railway reconstruction would significantly help to utilise all the potential of the Port of Bar. In the coming days, I will propose forming a coordination body for logistics through Montenegro to help the Port of Bar operate better.
How do you assess Montenegro’s need for regional connectivity with neighboring countries in the context of economic development and tourism, especially in light of the EU recommendations for strengthening infrastructure and cross-border cooperation?
I am fully supportive of Montenegro’s collaboration with neighbouring countries. At the start of my term, I held several meetings to discuss important projects for the region. Mr. Vesić and I jointly sent a letter to the European Commission, seeking support for crucial projects, particularly the Bar – Belgrade railway reconstruction. Additionally, I met with the Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Albania, Ms. Belinda Balluku, to discuss the significant project of restoring railway connections between the two countries and the highway that will link Montenegro and Albania. Regional cooperation is essential to us, and we strive to lead by example. I firmly believe that a collaborative approach among regional countries in infrastructure projects is the key to completing them as efficiently as possible.