English

Marković: Neither Hahn nor anybody in Europe will bring into question the construction of the highway

You don’t really think that the Commissionaire for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, or anybody in Europe is going to bring into question the construction of the first highway in Montenegro and the pre-requisite of the overall development and connection, said today the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković. The PM stated this after the meeting with Li Keqiang when journalists asked him to comment on  Hahn’s statement that investments from China aren’t welcome and that they could lead to “debt slavery”.

Prime Minister Marković said he didn’t understand such approach.

“The Government assumes the responsibility for every investment in Montenegro, especially a capital investment. We are perfectly aware of the risk this investment carries, but we are also capable to respond to financial challenges. As you all know, we haven’t had any such challenges for these three years”, said the PM.

We are witnesses of some concrete events that reduce the fears of Chinese investments. To illustrate that, PM stated that the Premier of the State council of China and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council had met in Brussels a couple of  days ago.

“They signed the joint statement regarding the agreement on free trade and investments that entail fair and honest relations. Therefore, there’s no fear of Chinese investments, in Montenegro or in Europe”, said the PM.

The most important subject of today’s talks was the completion of the first section of the highway Bar-Boljare.

“Premier Li Keqiang clearly said that he had already given his company instructions for finishing the first section in due time and following the highest possible standards and top quality”, said the PM.

This is not just a commercial project but rather a project between two states and two governments.

“We have opened the possibilities for the continuation of our cooperation in the construction of the next two sections of the highway”, said the PM.

Prime Minister of Montenegro said tat their meeting had been very constructive. They also spoke about the €5 million Chinese donation for the reconstruction of the bridge on Đurđevića Tara. China is interested in continuing the cooperation with Montenegro in other fields too.

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