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Whatever we do and construct must be in symbiosis with nature

Though we have long considered the nature of Montenegro as a mere wealth-grabbing tool, the approach has now taken a different turn, says Dritan Abazović, the President of the Civic Movement United Reform Action and the Prime Minister. A number of the forthcoming projects, such as the Adriatic-Ionian Motorway, the expressway from Ulcinj to Herceg Novi etc. must be designed and built exclusively in symbiosis with nature, emphasizes Abazović in his interview for Diplomacy & Commerce.

ecological state in the world. Has the nature of Montenegro outweighed its inhabitants or is there still time left to pay our dues?

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The Civic Movement URA is established on the principles of green politics and promotes a green programme. If Montenegro were a plant, which plant would it be?

Beyond any doubt – an evergreen plant, the one that never tarnishes regardless of the season and the weather, equally defying a white cover and a blazing sun. This description conjures up an image of a green, ecological state – Montenegro.

Adopting the Declaration in Žabljak on 20 September 1991, Montenegro became the first

The nature of Montenegro has outweighed the people of the country for eternity and hardly anything can cope with this wealth of diversity. In recent decades in particular, the people here have failed to cherish the wild nature as a God given gift. The nature has been generally perceived as a mere wealth-grabbing tool serving the individual needs, while the long-term vision of the environmental preservation has given least consideration to harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature. The way we are, we seem unworthy of nature. Nevertheless, it does not mean that we still should not treat nature with respect and love and do our best to make sure the future generations will better appreciate the nature.

Being the only state in the world defined as ecological in the Constitution is a comparative advantage of Montenegro that we still have not managed to leverage to the full extent.

The decisions made in the couple of last years have demonstrated there are other ways to treat nature. Skadar Lake revived once we have effectively reduced poaching. We have preserved Salina with its manifold implications for humankind and nature from the ill intentions of the previous authorities. We have put an end to the illegal gravel extraction, prevented construction of numerous mini hydropower plants and thus preserved so many of our rivers and biodiversity of rivers and on river banks.

Would you say it is a prerogative for future developments such as hydropower plant Komarnica, military ground on Sinjajevina, the port of Virpazar, gas line, Adriatic-Ionian motorway, expressway Ulcinj – Herceg Novi and the likes to be designed, built and operated solely if in symbiosis with nature?

Whatever we do and construct must be in symbiosis with nature. Otherwise, there would be no sense and no benefit. As long as I am the Prime Min- ister, neither the hydropower plant on Komarnica nor the military ground on Sinjajevina will be built.

Notwithstanding the need of Montenegro to strengthen and expand both road and power infrastructure, implementation of these projects must be governed by the principles of green policies, at all times safeguarding national parks and protected areas.

Is it real to expect Montenegro to reach the net-zero emissions by 2050, being the target pursued by a modern world? In our case, would it be a utopia or a window of opportunity brought by the energy transition allowing to create employment and attract some of the most powerful and renowned international investors and eventually help improving living standard?

I am committed to keeping these topics in everyday public view and I am prone to think we are getting there. URA has opened the door of Montene- gro to green policies and in future these will attract more spotlight. Having said this, I would like to single out one project that in my opinion has the capacity to change fate of not only one town but the entire northern region - “Green Pljevlja”. The project provides for ecological modernization of the existing industry infrastructure, launch of new production facilities, development of ecological agriculture, series of interconnected businesses and all this exclusively on green principles. The project would facilitate economic revival of the town, allow the town to breath green and generate employment throughout the entire northern region of the country. I believe this project is the best answer to your question. It is not a utopia but reality. It only takes strong will and a vision.

What is the future of Salina, a nearly 15km2 large nesting and resting site for more than 250 bird species, in other words more than half of bird species recorded in Europe? Do we actually know how to appreciate flamingo, pelican, spoonbill and other residents of the Saline, when aware that more than 90% of citizens of Montenegro have never set their foot in this area?

Unfortunately, over the past decades the Salina had been an object of corrupt activity that we have eliminated by returning the saltworks to public hands. Our ultimate goal is to restore the salt production at Salina that would in turn allow for development of this area using an ecological-approach. In this context, the state should seek an operator which would successfully run the business and at the same time preserve the species you have mentioned. Like I always say, the Salina is one of the largest airports for birds in Europe. The

Salina is one of a kind and we need to work harder if to make any and all visitors of our country aware of its uniqueness. You have observed correctly when saying our citizens lack awareness of this area. Therefore, it is important to educate younger generations through inclusion of different eco-schools, eco-camps and eco-lessons in our educational system. In this way they will become aware of the significance of our resources in their earliest days.

Could you name five mustsee spots from the north to the south of the country you would recommend to your friends from abroad when visiting Montenegro?

You have saved the hardest question for last. Wherever you go, any place, town or village in Montenegro will tell you a different story that will remain embedded in your memory to the rest of your days. To have so much wild beauty, an amalgam of mountains, rivers, sea, forests, lakes and cultural heritage accommodated in such a small area is absolutely incredible. If I have to choose only five spots, then I will pick Ada Bojana, the Grebaja Valley, Black Lake, Our Lady of the Rocks and the Kotor-Lovćen cableway that is awaiting its opening in July this year.

Interview with Executive Director of NGO Green Home, Azra Vuković

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