- Government of Montenegro
PM Marković: MA liquidation would cause unforeseea...
Please note: The page below represents the archived content relating to the previous Government of Montenegro. Some of the information might be inaccurate or outdated.
Archive
PM Marković: MA liquidation would cause unforeseeable damage to Montenegrin economy
Published on: Dec 11, 2019 • 10:00 PM Author: PR Service
The Government's decision to solve Montenegro Airlines (MA) problems in a public and transparent manner, by proposing a law to the Parliament of Montenegro, represents its responsible attitude towards this issue, a good economic and financial decision, Prime Minister Duško Marković said. He said that shutting down the company due to inherited debt would cause unforeseeable damage to Montenegro and its economy.
"We have done an objective economic analysis of what the liquidation of the MA means, or what investing in the MA brings. Liquidation means that Montenegro would lose over 500,000 passengers a year, and you can assume what it means for the state of Montenegro and its economy, not just for tourism," PM Marković said answering journalists' questions following the ceremony of awarding 17 doctoral scholarships.
Pointing out that this is an investment, not a consumption, PM Marković emphasised that Montenegro is predominantly airline destination and reminded that MA will transport 680,000 tourists this year, which represents 30 percent of the share of passengers carried.
"This is over EUR 75 million of revenues generated by MA and it is about EUR 180 million of indirect contribution to the Montenegrin economy and public finances. If we shut down the MA, then we would not have all of this in Montenegro," the Prime Minister said and told the citizens that it was important for them to understand this, because without the income that the MA brings, the salaries and pensions, the regularity of all payments and all other aspects of public finances that rely on the overall economy would be at risk.
If the MA was shut down right now due to the debt from the previous period, the Prime Minister added, the Montenegrin economy would suffer great damage with unprecedented long-term consequences.
The Prime Minister said that the Draft Law on Investing in the Consolidation and Development of the Airline Company "Montenegro Airlines A.D. Podgorica addresses debt issues, but it also introduces the company into the investment and development phase.
"In this way, we protect the undisputed staffing potential that has been created at MA for over 20 years. We protect our pilots, engineers, technicians because this is an industry that is globally in expansion. They will find their space in the aviation market very easily, but we have invested a lot in them. Montenegro nedds them for its economy and its growth," PM Marković said, adding that in the next six years four aircraft will be procured and will be owned by the MA.
The Prime Minister stressed that this is an economic and not a remedial measure and that he thinks the proposal to solve the MA problem is a good one. Asked by journalists whether he expected the support of coalition partners for the Law in the Parliament, the Prime Minister said that the Cabinet discussion on this topic was unanimous.
Law on freedom of religion is in the interest of the citizens
Prime Minister Marković also answered journalists' questions about the Draft Law on Freedom of Religion sent to the Parliament and the decision of certain political entities to leave the Committee on Comprehensive Reform of Electoral and Other Legislation.
Assessing the action of the part of the opposition as political PR activity, PM Marković said that the Law on Freedom of Religion had nothing to do with the obligations of the aforementioned Committee.
"The Law on Freedom of Religion is a programmatic obligation of the Government. We bring it in the best interest and in accordance with European standards. This law is not directed against any religious community or church, nor against one believer or a group of believers. On the contrary, it is in the interest of freedom of religion or belief," Prime Minister Marković said and recalled that the Law was drafted in cooperation with the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission.
He stressed that the property issue must be resolved but that no monasteries or churches were attacked. Religious ceremonies will continue to take place at a church and religious buildings and will continue to be a place where believers gather but, PM Marković added, they must be performed in accordance with the law.
"It doesn't occur to us to take someone else's property. The law clearly stipulates that religious communities will have the opportunity to prove their ownership, if there is a dispute in that property, it will be proven in accordance with the due process of law,"said the Prime Minister, adding that he would personally participate in the work of the Parliament on this theme to break all the taboos, hidden political intentions and hidden political marketing.
The Prime Minister stressed that a dialogue was conducted with all religious communities, but that only one person did not want to accept this approach for some irrational reasons.
I believe that we will come to a common solution with the health unions
Asked by journalists about health workers' dissatisfaction with the proposed wage increase of nine percent in the next and three percent in 2021, the Prime Minister said he had talked with unions, that talks were ongoing and that he believed they would come to a common solution.
Asked to comment on the wounding of Miodrag Daka Davidović, Prime Minister Marković said that any attack on a person's life is an unacceptable and insolent act.
"I got acquainted with this fact from the media, it is good that there are no tragic consequences. I hope that the investigative authorities of the Republic of Serbia will quickly resolve this case," PM Marković said.
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
PHOTO AND VIDEO: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJWTeDY
Related articles:
Prime Minister Spajić presents Barometer 26 Nov 21, 2024
Is this page useful?