‘‘Radio Liberty’’: Montenegro is in outrage for SOCAR’s penetration into local business
In connection with the recent official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Montenegro the Azerbaijani service of Radio Liberty published an article, which reflects the indignation of the opposition in Montenegro, caused by the penetration of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan in the business environment of this Balkan country.
"Taking into consideration the corruption in the privatization process that is carried out by our government, we accepted the statement of the Government of Montenegro with great concern on the achievement of a specific agreement with the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan," the pro-opposition leader of the "Movement for Change" Nebojsa Medojevic said in an interview with the Azerbaijani service of Radio Liberty.
According to him, SOCAR is known as a company that is not specifically seeking to participate in anti-corruption activities. "We are confident that our Minister of Foreign Affairs, that conducts negotiations from our side on this issue, will be involved in some corruption cases in connection with the agreement. Therefore, we will closely monitor the implementation of this agreement," Medoevich said.
According to the publication, SOCAR intended to invest in the territory of Kumbora 52 million Euros in the first 4 years, which will make € 258 million over eight years in general. In addition, the radio station reminds that NCH Capital located in the U.S. lost to SOCAR in the tender, though the U.S. company bids were far preferable proposals for SOCAR, 2 Euros for the lease of 1 square meters and 5.1% of profit, while SOCAR offered 1 Euro per 1 sq. m. for rent and 5% of profit.
At first “NCH Capital” officially complained to the authority conducting the tender. However, the Privatization Council of Montenegro didn’t considered the appeal, arguing that the complaint was delayed. "You will not hear that BP or Exxon is building resorts. There are some other reasons," the American Company stated.
"Radio Liberty" reminds that the Azerbaijani side has denied the allegations before.
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