Montenegro
The Constitutional Court of Montenegro convened on March 16, 2026, to assess the constitutionality of the Law confirming the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism and Real Estate Development between the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the United Arab Emirates. This session follows a postponement from March 12 due to a judge's family obligations.
During the session, a proposal to hold the proceedings publicly was presented but did not achieve the required majority for approval. The vote resulted in a tie, with three judges in favor and three against, thereby maintaining the session's confidentiality.
The agreement in question, ratified by the Montenegrin Parliament on June 3, 2025, has faced legal challenges. Initiatives questioning its constitutionality were submitted to the Constitutional Court on June 23 and July 30, 2025. Critics, including Budva Municipal Council member Đorđe Zenović and the NGO Center for the Protection and Study of Birds, argue that the agreement contravenes the Constitution and could adversely affect national interests. Conversely, the Montenegrin Government, as a signatory, refutes these claims.
Previously, on December 15, 2025, the Constitutional Court held a public hearing on this matter, which was broadcast live online and covered by two national television channels. The hearing featured insights from constitutional law experts such as former Constitutional Court President Mladen Vukčević, professors Đorđe Gardašević from Zagreb, Vladimir Đurić from Belgrade, and Nebojša Vučinić, a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights.
The Court's forthcoming decision is anticipated to have significant implications for Montenegro's legal framework and its international agreements, particularly in the sectors of tourism and real estate development.
