Possibility of Serbia’s inclusion in tender for airport concessions rejected

The Ministry of Transport of Montenegro has rejected the possibility of Serbia’s inclusion in the current tender for the 30-year concessions for the Podgorica and Tivat airports, adding that during the tender procedure there were no official or unofficial initiatives from Serbian institutions or their representatives.

– Commenting on the work of the Tender Commission for Concessions over the Podgorica and Tivat airports, the opposition announced that pro-Serbian parties in power are deliberately undermining the tender procedure in order to create conditions for Serbia’s entry – the statement says.

Responding to the question of whether Serbia’ss inclusion in the concession procedure is possible, and whether this is indicated by the recent statement by Serbian Minister of Finance Sinisa Mali that Serbia is interested in the concession of two international passenger airports in Podgorica and Tivat, the Ministry said that during the tender procedure there were no official or unofficial initiatives from Serbian institutions.

– During the concession award procedure for Montenegrin airports, no interest was ever expressed, nor was there a single initiative, official or unofficial, from Serbian institutions or their representatives towards this department – the Ministry said.

The Ministry said that the statement of the Serbian Minister of Finance, which has recently come into the public spotlight, has been misused in a daily political context and is obviously being used for the purpose of internal political calculations that have nothing to do with the essence and legality of the concession procedure.

– The Ministry of Transport hereby clearly emphasizes that it bears no responsibility for interpretations or political messages derived from someone’s statements – the statement added.

They stated that what is certain is that there was no inquiry or interest from Serbia regarding the concession of Montenegrin airports, and they also believe that the public is aware that Serbia has given its own main airport to the concessionaire for management.

– Sinisa Mali’s statement sparked a wide debate in Montenegro and was used as a political argument, especially in attacks on the ruling parties – the Ministry said.

Mali said in an interview with TV Pink that Serbia is interested in the concession of the airports in Podgorica and Tivat, because there is a large space for cooperation in the region, and their national interests also include the development of air traffic throughout the region.

Aerodromi Crne Gore

Ministry of Transport of Montenegro

Ministry of Finance of Serbia

Siniša Mali

concession for Podgorica Airport

concession for Tivat Airport

concessions for airports